“FGF literally is my mental health recharge. It changed how I see myself, how I talk to myself (yes I talk to myself) and how I see my place in the world – I know I am strong and capable, and now I have more confidence to try things that I have never done before.”
Farmgirlfit Spokane
Attorney
When I was young, playing sports was my everything and I earned ten varsity letters in high school. But as high school was coming to an end – I found myself burned out. I played a few intermural sports in college and law school -- and when that ended, I realized I really needed that feeling of accomplishment back, and I started casually running and quickly found it wasn’t enough to counterbalance my bad habits and crazy busy lifestyle. Enter Farmgirlfit.
I remember being invited to the grand opening celebration of FGF and chickening out at the last minute. At the time, I was struggling with an anxiety disorder and navigating my first year as an attorney. Emotionally, I was a mess. I didn’t like myself, let alone love who I was anymore. Several months later, still struggling to find some balance, I found myself reading every sentence on the FGF website, and desperately wanting the sense of community and strength I found there – I signed up for my first class in June 2012 and never looked back.
I’ve had some really amazing PRs at the gym of which I’m all incredibly proud of – but the biggest accomplishment I can think of is being able to keep working out late into my pregnancy, getting to 38 weeks. When the time came, I was in labor for 43 hours, culminating with a c-section to deliver my daughter. At the end, I was still able to use my arms to help lift myself off the operating table back to my bed. The doctors and nurses were really impressed with my strength! I was back at FGF 6 weeks later.
Guess this means I should set one? HA! I love all the things! I’d like to run a half marathon again (I haven’t since before I had my daughter in 2016) and complete an Olympic distance triathlon. I don’t believe in saying “I won’t ever do [blank].” I love a challenge, especially a new one.
My fellow FGF members and the coaches – you guys are all the real badasses of the world.
Faves: Squats and deadlifts and BEARS! Least: I don’t hate these things, but both show my weaknesses, and I hate that, so it’ll have to be pistol squats and RFE weighted lunges.
I start counting. Ok, only 10 more, 5, rounds left, 2 more minutes, half way there, etc. If I get lost in the numbers, I tend to forget I want to pass out.
I have never once walked out and regretted showing up. Being sweaty, breathless, exhausted, even thoroughly wrecked by a workout makes my day. And did I mention the amazing members and coaches?!
FGF literally is my mental health recharge. It changed how I see myself, how I talk to myself (yes I talk to myself) and how I see my place in the world – I know I am strong and capable, and now I have more confidence to try things that I have never done before.
On one of my first days – Jenni was running the show. She was pregnant at the time, and just barely starting to show. At the end of the workout, as I was leaving, she said something to the effect of “Don’t worry, we do ab work, I’m just pregnant.” 😂
I‘m married to my best friend, Colin and we have a 2 ½ year old daughter – who is a total cannonball (just like her mother). I work full-time as an in-house counsel for Clearwater Paper, and I also am an active member of the Junior League of Spokane, for which I chair a couple different committees. I love to travel and check out the local craft brew scene. We’ve also spent nearly every free weekend this summer rebuilding our deck – a new challenge to say the least.
Being outside – rain, snow or shine, and being silly with my daughter.
School Bus Driver and a Lawyer – I got half of it right!
I spent my first two summers during college working as a Wildland Firefighter in the St. Joe National Forest. I’m a beast with a pulaski and a chainsaw…just kidding – not anymore. 😉
Moderation in All Things – including Moderation (words of my Polish great-grandfather, who lived to be 104).
Craft Beer, for sure, and really good bourbon
University of Montana Grizzlies – Go Griz!!
Valentine’s Day – because it’s my birthday too!
A Cheetah/Sloth. Most of the time, I move, think and talk fast – but when I veg out, I completely commit to a state of do nothingness.
An avocado with Everything But the Bagel seasoning (from Trader Joes) YUM!
If the workout looks easy – it’s usually quite the opposite, but either way, you’ll love that you came and did it! It may take all class, and maybe some of the next – but you can and will finish. Just keep moving.
http://www.farmgirlfit.com/shop/
