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Name and age: Emily Thomas, 24

Occupation: Teacher!! I just finished a Masters In Teaching program at Gonzaga this spring and will be heading to the west side to teach second grade in Bellevue! I’m stoked. (not stoked about leaving Farmgirlfit).

Tell us about your fitness journey.

I’ve enjoyed being active my whole life. When I was little I played soccer and danced. I love playing sports: soccer, basketball, swimming, badminton — you name it, but I’m not very skilled at any of them since I never stuck with one activity growing up. I’m the 5’11” girl on a Hoopfest team that doesn’t know the first thing about basketball plays but is there to have fun!

In high school I ran cross country to make sure I was staying active. I actually hate running, but the group workouts and parties made the sport fun. At UW and since undergrad I’ve attended the gym regularly getting cardio in and would jump on a few machines I knew how to work. Boring.

Then, Farmgirlfit! One of the things I loved about cross country in high school is I could just show up and someone would tell me what to do, how to do it, and there would be people to workout with. That’s what Farmgirlfit is to me, plus some!

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

I was scared, nervous, and intimidated before I started and during my first few weeks. Everyone seemed so strong and in the know. Now I love it! I see how supported I am at Farmgirlfit, and I’m inspired by the other women who attend.

I’m sad I will be leaving soon. I’ve already started shopping around for gyms on the west side and I haven’t seen anything like Farmgirlfit. It will be hard to match the support, community, attention to correct form, workout leveling, and all female gym (eek — working out with boys).

What has been your greatest fitness (performance) accomplishment so far? Do you have a performance goal?

I have a few! Twenty-inch box jumps, pull ups with bands, multiple double unders in a row, and running! This past Bloomsday was the first time I ran and I was able to finish in under 2 hours. I’m now working toward a half marathon in October. Eek!

How has FGF helped you become more healthy / When it comes to your health, what goals do you have?

There are two major ways Farmgirlfit has assisted in my health journey:

1. I’m strong! FGF has helped me in the journey to realizing my strength potential.

2. Over the past two years I have been working on my personal mental image and self talk. FGF has helped me change my personal image. I am realizing my strength and beauty.

My continuous health goals are to enjoy life, be rested, strong, and eat healthy.

My favorite exercise at FGF is:

ROWING! I know, interesting choice, but I can row for calories for DAYS. Kettlebell swings are fun to me. It becomes a rhythmic motion and I always start singing a song in my head or try and get on the beat of whatever song we are listening to.

My least favorite exercise at FGF is:

Burpees. Getting off the ground is hard work. I’d rather just stay down and take a nap! 

My favorite thing about Farmgirlfit is:

I think everyone says it is their favorite thing but it’s true, the community. I love that all levels of fit women can all workout together and there isn’t an undertone of someone being better than another person, no one is mean muggin’, and we all support each other.

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

I like being active and eating healthy. It is amazing what those simple things will do for your body, mind, and soul.

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

I hangout with a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds. Well, at least I did. This year I was completing my MIT program and did my student teaching in a first grade classroom. So, since September I’ve been in the classroom and since January I was full time. Now I’m trying to find somewhere to live in Seattle, decorate my future classroom I haven’t seen yet, and get prepared for my ‘big girl’ job!

Any advice for new members, or your fellow Farmgirls?

Keep showing up and power through!