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Member at: 

Farmgirlfit Spokane

Occupation: 

Owner/operator Atticus Coffee & Boo Radley’s, Writer (YA Novel “You and Me and Him” coming out from Houghton Mifflin Spring 2015). UPDATE: "You and Me and Him" is published! Find out more HERE.

My favorite exercise at FGF is:  

I love a lot of the exercises at FGF. I love the battle ropes. I also love anything with the medicine balls, especially wall balls and slam balls. I think maybe they help me get my anger out. Especially slam balls.

My least favorite exercise at FGF is: 

Probably running and burpees. I always cringe a little when burpees are on the board.

Tell us about your fitness journey:

I have always been active. I was a competitive swimmer growing up, all the way through college when a shoulder injury sidelined me. I’ve done spinning, ashtanga yoga, trail running, step aerobics, hiking, triathalons, you name it.

If you could tell your Farmgirlfit story in 100 words or less, how would it read?

I love a really challenging workout, and after a fall injured my hips and kept me from working out for about 18 months, I was ready to work hard again. Last fall I saw Leah Sottile Preston’s profile on the FGF blog, and I knew my friend Sheri Boggs had done it too. I contacted them both and we all agreed to start going together in the mornings.

What has been your greatest fitness (performance) accomplishment so far?

The biggest accomplishment has probably been just doing box jumps. They psych me out. But I would love to get to the point where I’m doing a 20-inch box. Someday! I also want to be able to do regular pushups.

How has FGF helped you become more healthy? What goals do you have?

I have always struggled with my weight and body image. I am finally at a point in my life where what I can do and how healthy I am is becoming more important than what I look like or what the scale says. At least on most days.

My favorite thing about Farmgirlfit is…

Seeing Leah and Sheri, and just the feeling of both challenge and encouragement you get from everybody. And the fact that nobody worries about being a sweaty mess as long as they’ve pushed hard.

How have you integrated the Farmgirlfit mission outside of the gym?

I am becoming more aware of all the little pieces of my life that add up to make me healthy.

When you’re not pumping iron at FGF, what does the rest of your life look like?

I try to come home after my workout and use the mornings for writing, then go to work at our stores. I’m also really involved with writing and books in Spokane. I’m in a couple writing groups, a couple book groups, and I try to support readings and other literary activities in town.

Any advice for new members, or your fellow Farmgirls?

One thing I do is I don’t just settle into a level and do everything there. I try to challenge myself. Most workouts I might be level 1 for some of the exercises, but if I’m honest I might be able to do level 2 or 3 for others. Like I’m still doing pushups on my knees, but if we’re doing squats, I can usually do the weight at level 3.

Also, just go. Go when you’re tired, or you don’t feel like it. Going consistently will do more to make you stronger than anything else. And you’ll never regret it.