Real Women. Real Life.
Meet Indi Rennick-Hayes
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
Myself. I have never been a very physical person, which was just something I assumed was a personality trait. But it wasn’t very long after I started at dropgym that I realized it wasn’t that at all. I didn’t like being physical, because there was a lot of my person that I had been running from for a long time. And it’s pretty hard to run from yourself when you have a sandbag or are doing a rope pull. Being at the gym forced me to be present in and with myself. Showing up and meeting myself again and again has built a trust with myself which has probably been the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced in my life!
What are three things that describe the feeling of JOY for you?
Being in the trees or out under the open sky and looking up and getting that overwhelming feeling of knowing your spot in the middle of everything. For me, there is such a peace and safety that comes with being small in that space.
When I wake up early in the morning and the sun is just coming up and all the birds are out, and everything smells new.
Being in a room with the people I love and listening to all the sounds we make and the things we do when we are alive together.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I enjoy all things sandbag. The practicality/intuition of the movements there just feel really grounding and good to me. It’s stretching every time, and because of that, it is a place where my confidence in my capability and capacity is constantly growing.
In one year from now, what would you like to wake up feeling/thinking every morning?
I would like to start each day with more self compassion than the last. It is something I am working at growing in, because it definitely doesn’t come easy for me. It feels a bit like learning a new language, where I know one day it will make sense, but right now, it just feels like trying to remember a lot of things at once (which is an uncomfortably perfect place to start practicing).
When you feel most safe, loved and like yourself, what are three words that describe you well?
Tenacious
Curious
Purposed
Meet Jennifer Stewart
What originally drew you to join dropgym?
I was taking an online class and one of the assignments was to attend an exercise class in your local area. I had heard about dropgym from a friend who had sent me the website months before. Though I didn’t clearly know if I was going into a gym or class situation I decided I would sign up for a class and get the assignment out of the way! The first 6am class was a small one with Catie leading the group. It was such a surprise! I felt so welcomed and encouraged within one class. I loved that I wasn’t just struggling to keep up but was getting clear instruction. I was learning while I was moving. Each class after has continued to teach me not just a better way to move my body but is retraining my brain in how I think about the workout to how I think about myself. I love that they look at each person as a whole being - body, soul and spirit. This approach is something I’ve been discovering more and more in the last several years and to find a space that is walking it out and teaching others feels like a miracle.
To be honest I didn’t quite know why I felt that I was to sign up for the online class I was taking at the time. But once I did that little homework assignment that led me to Dropgym I knew it was the Lord leading me here!
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
I didn’t have a whole lot of clear direction in my early 20’s. I always thought I wanted to be a dancer and an actress. College just didn’t seem like the right direction for me. I was pretty timid and slow in making decisions and it took a lot to step out of the comfort of home. Finally I had a sudden burst of boldness and I found the courage to leave home. This consisted of me filling my little car up with way too many clothes, shoes and purses and going on a road trip to South Dakota to meet up with some friends that had a Christian Theater group. I had no idea where I was going but I felt like if I didn’t leave I would never do it. This turned into a road trip across the country several times, working at a theater in PA, joining up with a YWAM dance company one summer to finally landing in Florida where I lived for 23 years.
The next bravest thing was moving back home with my husband and kids on Christmas of 2020. Life has come full circle in many ways. We moved home to be a help and support to my parents while my dad has been battling cancer and several other health issues. I am learning a lot about the ministry of “presence”. In a day and time when everything is about having vision and purpose I feel like God is telling me to “wait”, be still & engage with what’s right in front of me. Be present for someone else's hard moment .
It’s been deeply challenging for me to come back to my childhood home in the town I grew up in. So many of the old feelings and insecurities have risen up. There have also been new realizations to behaviors & habits I’ve had for years. I’m seeing where many of the roots started. I recently attended the “Jesus Shift” at the gym. Through one of the breathing exercises I felt the Lord tell me that He’s brought me full circle to heal me. I don’t think I would have ever chosen to move back to Medford Oregon unless God had asked me to. But as I’ve been going through this process I have found that while I am present with my folks, God is very present with me. How gracious He is!
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I love being part of the group and it’s a delight to get to cheer you on. We are in it together.
Describe one memory where you felt the most like yourself and the most alive.
This may sound sad but it was after my divorce. In my first marriage I experienced a lot of rejection and deeply struggled with being enough, being myself while trying to keep up appearances that everything was “normal” when it wasn’t. I really feel like God just stepped in and rescued me. In a very quick and a little dramatic way the marriage ended. While I was processing a roller coaster of emotions I remember feeling such a huge weight come off me. I felt relief that I didn’t have to keep living the way I had. I finally knew that it no longer mattered if man didn’t want me because God did want me and that was enough. I felt truly myself, deeply loved and full of hope.
What is one part of yourself you really love and one part you want to have more self compassion toward?
I love to laugh and I feel like in the hard moments laughter can still come through in me. Even if it’s laughing at myself! I have a lot to grow into with Self-compassion. I would like to shift my way of thinking that just because I don’t always eat perfect, respond right or meet the goal of the day, I am not failing or am a failure. Everything is an opportunity to relearn and keep growing.
In one year from now, what would you like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
“I can’t believe I get to do this!”
What actress would you choose to have play You, in the movie of your life?
Me!
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
Heavy weights, sandbags, Lu & Shantell!
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Creative, Prayerful & Joyful
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I can’t remember what it’s called but it’s pushing that “thing” with weight across the floor. It would definitely not be my favorite but it was a breakthrough moment for me. I was pushing more than I thought I could handle and was crying out to God when Lu challenged me to stop talking, do my breathing and only say in my head “You can do it, Jennifer”. She took a moment to explain where our brain goes when we start talking out loud like that. I was pulling myself out of the moment which was the very place I needed to stay and push through. That little lesson spoke more to me than just pushing weight at the gym, it tied into so much of what I’m walking through right now. There is so much chatter in my head that pulls me out of engaging in the hard moment. I’m learning better how to stay present.
Meet Them! (Part 2)
Meet Serenity
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Swinging on the rope! I love challenging myself to get to the second mat.
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
It feels like a family! At school I dont have alot of friends, but when I come here I am excited to see everyone because it feels like I’m a part of a family. Everyone is so friendly and says hi to me.
What are you proud of?
When I did the sandbag carry it was 40lbs, I dropped it alot the first time, and on the second time I only dropped it a few times!
Meet Anastine
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
I like when we carry or push things around the building for the contribution workout. It helps you get stronger and helps you know how to work in a team together.
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
It’s very special for me to see everyone here because I get to see some new people and old friends.
What are you proud of?
The box jumps. It's tough and every time I think I can’t do it, but actually I do!
Meet Felicity
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Skin to cats! It’s where you hang on to the rings and then flip backwards, and if you can you flip back.
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
That I get to see everyone here, I like being their friend and that they are my friends.
What are you proud of?
Last week on floor presses I got 45 lbs, every time before that I only had gotten 35lb. I had expected to do 35lbs again because I don’t do them a lot and then I was like “wow”!!
Meet Terrea
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
I love the bike!
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
My favorite thing is that you can talk to people about whats going on and you can trust people. It’s like a big family and we all trust each other and we are all kind to each other.
What are you proud of?
When we were floor pressing I got up to 75lbs!
Meet Zoey
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Floor Presses
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
I’ve made a lot of friends and it does feel like family. I get to laugh a lot and I don’t feel like I always have to be serious all the time.
What are you proud of?
I’ve built a lot more endurance. At track practice I ran a 5k!
Meet Them!
Meet Zella
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
Floor presses, skis, and how everyone is so supportive!
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls?
Realizing how strong I am!
Meet Ella
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
ROWER! Also Swinging on the ropes, and flips on the rings and yoga balls. Rope pulls and flipping tires, oh and hurtles! :)
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls?
I am proud that I am so strong, and that I’m capable of so many things!
Meet McKenzie
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Bag whacks! Pushing sleds with max weight. Sit ups and squats.
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
How supportive everyone is and helpful. The teachers always come to help us. I also love how much we talk about our cycles and how it affects the movements we can do. I knew nothing about that before I came here, and have learned so much. Also becoming motivated to work out and do stuff, and seeing myself get stronger mentally and physically.
Meet Stella
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Rope pulls, sled push with max weight, and bag whacks!
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?:
Katrina and Tess and everybody!
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls? For getting stronger every week as I do this- like every week I can see how I am able to do 5 lbs more than I could the week before, and it’s amazing to see my progress!
Meet Us!
Meet Charlie
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Probably the floor press, and the skis.
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
Getting to work out with friends.
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls?
Probably my strength, and kinda like my confidence in how much I can lift and stuff!
Meet Janaya
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
My favorite movement is floor presses.
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
Its like a place I can be myself, and its kinda like a third home now.
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls?
Being more confident about my strength.
Meet Vala
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
“Hitting the candlestick bag with those red stick things! It’s fun!”
How long have you been coming ?
“Almost a year!”
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?
“It’s fun!!! And I get to be around friends”
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls?
"My strength! I did a floor press with 35 lbs, I almost did it with 40!"
Meet Sadé
What’s your favorite movement in the Gym?
Floor presses and bench presses!
What do you love about coming to DG Girls?:
Getting to work out with Tess! And getting to work out with my sisters and also other friends too :)
How have you have seen yourself grow since being in DG Girls? Definitely probably my upper body strength, I didn’t know I had it. And my whole body strength actually.
Meet Shelby Maddox
What originally drew you to join dropgym?
My mom was a member before I was, and in the midst of all the 2020 chaos I joined her for a class via zoom and really liked the style of workouts they were programming. But I think what ultimately sold me on this crazy place was the two women running it. Lu and Shantell were on my team before I was, and the space they created genuinely felt like a sanctuary I didn't know I had been in search of. I was so eager and so very hesitant to join at first, but I cannot imagine my life if I hadn't.
What is one part of yourself you really love and one part you want to have more self compassion toward?
I'm really starting to love who I'm becoming. I had to break down a lot of internal walls, which was not easy. I feel like you don't realize that kind of thing is happening while it's happening. I still have a lot of work to do until I am the woman I want to be, but I'm just glad about how far I've come. With that I am learning to have compassion for my past self. She was all over the place.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
My favorite movement is hitting objects with other objects. It just feels sooo good.
One movement that has changed how I approach life would have to be the day we did the sandbag hold. Lu had us just hold a sandbag one day. She didn't tell us how long we would be holding the bag, she very strategically got me to take my watch off and then we just held the bag until we couldn't. Once we dropped it we did some lunges and then picked it back up and continued the hold. I tried to resist from looking at the clock, but at some point I glanced over and she had taken the clock down which made me laugh to myself. We ended up holding the bag for about 30 minutes I believe. Now whenever I think I can't do something I remind myself of that day because if someone had told me that I was going to hold the bag for a half hour I probably would have just said no. And that's kind of how life is. You never really know what you're going to end up having to do, you just do it.
Describe one memory where you felt the most like yourself and the most alive.
I took a trip to the coast by myself when I was about 19, spent half the day on the beach looking for sea glass and the other half in the antique shops. On the drive home I had the windows all the way down and the music all the way up and screamed and sang from the bottom of my stomach until I had nothing left.
Are there any fears you’ve had to overcome on this journey at dropgym?
So many fears. I am still working on the fear of failing. I think it stems from the fear of being weak, which that fear has been totally obliterated recently. So many women I admire at the gym that are so incredibly strong themselves have verbally told me how strong I am which is just so amazing, and has caused some major fangirl moments for me. Its just so freakin cool when someone you admire to be strong tells YOU that YOU’RE strong.
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I want them to know that I'm happy they showed up and I love that we get to watch each other get stronger. And if I'm pissed off, it's not at anyone-I'm just fighting with myself so just let me do my thing I'll be alright.
In one year from now, what would like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
I'd like to feel content. My days have been pretty busy lately and I still feel like I should be doing more for others and myself. I'm trying to teach myself that I can only do what I can do and that is okay.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
Showing up.
Sometimes it's hard to just show up, but in the more recent months I started telling myself I'm not going for me right now, I'm going for future me. For some reason that makes it easier to lace up my socks and crocs and get my body moving. I never regret it.
Meet Kaylene Brown
In one year from now, what would you like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
A year from now I would like to wake up feeling proud of the person that I am. Not that I don’t love myself now, but there are things that I am currently pushing through and a year from now I want to be proud of the decisions I have made over the last year to make myself the best version of me. I would also like to wake up thinking that I have improved from the day before and not stuck. There is a phrase hanging on the wall in my bedroom that says, “even on the most ordinary days, you are still growing in meaningful ways.”
I want to wake up every day knowing that I am still growing.
Describe one memory where you felt the most like yourself and the most alive.
I was 26 or 27 when I learned how to snowboard, and that year I bought a season pass to one of the mountains in Colorado so my friends and I could snowboard a lot that winter. I learned how to actually carve my third time up and just learning how to do that opened up the full capabilities to the mountain to me. We went almost every weekend and the amount of thrilling rush and freedom you feel when you are gliding over the snow made me feel so alive. I didn’t feel like I had to prove anything to anyone. Except for maybe beating them to the bottom of the mountain.
What’s the one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I want the woman next to me to know that even though I can put up a tough or funny exterior, I have a soft and passionate side that just wants to be seen, known, loved by those around me. I also have a side that will throat punch anyone who wrongs someone I love and care about. It’s called balance.
When you feel most safe, loved, and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Welcoming
Peace-bringer (if you hyphenate, it’s just one word)
Advocate
Are there any fears you’ve had to overcome on this journey at dropgym?
So many fears. I think the main one is being seen as weak. I don’t want anyone to see me as anything less than capable. I want to be the person who everyone sees as having a good sense of humor and will put her head down and finish the workout without any trouble. Because of that, I tended to choose an “easier” intention for the workout so I wouldn’t have to really give my all and potentially fail. I’m learning that it’s ok to “fail” because, if I gave my all, I didn’t really fail, I just found the edge of my capacity.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I think my favorite movement is a rope pull because it makes me feel really strong. The one movement that has changed how I approach life are the Turkish getups. With the TGU, you have to stay present in the entire movement. If you don’t, you could drop the dumbbell or not be able to stand up. You just can’t check out. I’m really good at checking out when things get hard or if I don’t want to deal with something. I’m working on staying present in tension and I am always reminded of that when I do a TGU.
Meet Jeana Cox
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
I did Camp 17; it was an amazing, intense, fun, and challenging experience. The last few years, though, I’ve just been accepting whatever life throws at me, and I’ve gotten tired of living that way. I want to spend the rest of my life making decisions instead of just reacting. I made a list of goals for life, one of which is to get very strong, and the first people I thought of were Lu and Shantell. I also knew that there were no other people I trusted as much to get me where I wanted to be. I’m not always ready to do what’s asked of me here, usually, I’m scared and want to run away, but the coaches here have a lot more faith in me than I do. I’m borrowing their belief in me while I find my own.
What’s a day in the life with Jeana look like?
On weekdays I am up and working by 6 am as a medical auditor for a health system. After my eight hours, I sign out of work and sign into school, working on getting my degree in Healthcare Administration. After school, I get changed to go to DropGym to drop the stress of the day and get really strong, so I can do it again the next day. At 5:30, I’m driving home in a haze of endorphins, exhaustion, and pride, where I am lucky enough always to have dinner waiting for me. Thanks, mom.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
Panic. I’m a runner and not the cool marathon type but the run away from anything hard type. Lu has taught me a lot about fear, panic, and what’s happening inside of my body when I’m faced with hard things. Now I know that I’m not going to throw up or pass out, it’s just my body and mind wanting to escape. Like Lu says, “It’s hard because it’s hard work. It’s supposed to be hard. You think that because it’s hard that there’s something wrong with you, but there’s not. Finish it”. Now I finish it.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
My daughter, I want to be her when I grow up.
Getting to know my brand-new granddaughter, I can’t wait to watch her experience life.
Art. Seeing paintings by Monet, Dali, and Degas in real life and up close was an experience I’ll never forget. I love all forms of art; crafts, paintings, sculptures, local, famous, street fairs, museums, etc…
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
My favorite movements are things like deadlifts and dumbbell snatches. I like movements that need proper form and take thought and technique on body positioning. But I also love med ball slams because they are repetitive, do not require much thought, and I can get into a groove. Carrying heavy sandbags has helped me face tough challenges at work and school. Knowing I can carry a 60-pound sandbag makes me think I can do anything.
In one year from now, what would like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
I want to wake up knowing that I’m not scared of anything. I’m a college graduate. I’m great at my job and I love what I do. I’m brave enough to try any workout. I am the best, most awesome, coolest grandma in the world!
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I’m cheering you on in a really quiet (still working on finding my voice) kind of way. When I find my voice, I will let you know that I am in awe of you, your strength, and your bravery.
Meet Katrina Wilson
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
Well, I attended the 2-day Shift event in early 2021 but was living in California at the time. I came feeling lost and stuck but by the end there was this feeling inside me, like when you walk outside on a cool, crisp fall morning and take in a breath of fresh air. I saw how Lu and Shantell were teaching wholeness and connection of our entire being - mind, soul, body, and spirit. Not just body, not just mind, but our full self and I immediately thought, “How do I get more of this?” I wanted to know more, learn more, and discover more. There is so much healing and freedom found in living from our whole being and I was eager to dive in to what they have cultivated in this space. Yep! You guessed it, I packed up my bags a few months later and hauled it up here to Medford, OR.
What is one part of yourself you really love and what is one area you want to have more compassion on yourself in?
I love how silly I can be and how childlike I am. I want to have more self compassion on myself when I don’t feel like “myself.” I have become more aware recently at how conditional the love I give towards myself is and I hope to become more compassionate towards myself in all the ways I show up. Even on the days I don’t feel like my true self.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
Staying in. I have a tendency to want to run when things get hard, or really just try to escape in any form. I am proud of myself for staying here, staying in, and allowing myself to be in the hard, engage with it and not run away from it.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
Swinging on a swing set/ playing on a playground!!
Being in nature, in water, in the mountains, outside in the sunshine.
Playing and laughing with kiddos
Playing board games with friends
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
When I’m comfy, I’m a goofball, with a hint of sass. But just a hint…and the kind of sass that comes from love, ya know?
Are there any fears you’ve had to overcome on this journey at dropgym?
Totally. I think overcoming my fears is definitely a process and there isn’t really an end necessarily but a journey to accept and experience (hence the need to stay in). Learning where the fear came from, tending to those parts of my heart and letting love in.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
Picking a favorite is challenging, I have found so much joy in finding connection to different muscles in my body in different movements. The coaches are so creative and I love coming in and trying something new!
Oof. The zercher hold with a sandbag. I had an epic showdown with that but it was the beginning of a shift in my thinking. Honestly, it felt so hard and so stupid! I felt so threatened by it when in reality it was challenging parts of my person that I didn’t want to face, or acknowledge. I stood there with the sandbag and just heard all the lies that I have let rule my life. And in that moment, I knew I had a choice…to let the lies continue to rule my mind or do something different, believe something different. I knew right then I had to engage with the truth of who I am and release the “cone” or standard I had placed in my head that dictated who I am.
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Carefree, confident, witty/silly
Meet Jess Dwyer
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
Well I would have to say fear.. sounds a bit funny, but when you are an anxious person stuck in fear sometimes it's the only thing you respond to. Either fight it or run away from it, and sometimes you have to do that first before you can learn to be motivated by safety, connection, etc. When I chose to start coming to dropgym it was about fighting for the person I knew was inside of me. Someone who was sure of herself, who loved life and loved the woman she was becoming, someone in connection to herself. This was something I saw could be a possibility if I engaged with the process dropgym was inviting women into.
What is one part of yourself you really love and what is one area you want to have more compassion on yourself in?
I really love my ability to really see people deeply and express how far they have come. I am working on having more compassion for the inner perfectionist in me.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of JOY for you?
Ohhhhh goodness, being in nature and observing the animal, insect, and plant life happening.
Making or experiencing a good cup of coffee or food.
Dancing, especially at weddings.
Talking, reading, or writing about life, its meaning, goodness, sadness, the process.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
Not a specific movement but rather learning different intentions in the movements. Sometimes your goal in to push your limits, another time your goal is to recover, others times your goal is to complete a task. Also how intention can be engaged with the way you are breathing (in your nose then out your nose, in your nose out your mouth, in your mouth out your mouth). This has mirrored and changed the way I engage with life... some days are about recovery, some days maintaining, other days pushing your limits.
Who’s one of your greatest superheroes/ role models?
On a badass note it would be Black Widow, the whole all black motorcycle thing is pretty cool. On a more deep note I have too many to count, I believe deeply that the life we are living and choosing now is what directs the future for our children and those that come after us, so any story of someone choosing to either live a better life or fight for a better life for those that come after us.
What does consistency look like for you?
Having the discipline to make a habit of giving your time to the things and people you value most in life (especially after the idealist version of what you think it looks like fades).
What is one part of yourself you really love and what is one area you want to have more compassion on yourself in?
I really love my ability to really see people deeply and express how far they have come. I am working on having more compassion for the inner perfectionist in me.
What is one thing you'd want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
We are in this together learning to become more ourselves, and if you wanna fight to see your limits I am a good buddy to have around ;)
What is the bravest thing I have ever done?
After I went through a lot of healing from past trauma, the bravest thing I did was to start trusting myself again.
What are three words that describe you when you are feeling safe, loved and like your true self?
Attentive, kind, passionate, curious, welcoming
Meet Trish Wilcox
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
I joined Drop Gym back when it was Camp17 because my friend was doing it. All I knew was that it was some sort of wellness Boot Camp. I figured, how hard could it be? It’s only six weeks of my life. Maybe I’d lose a few pounds Hahaha. That’s cute…. Joining Drop Gym turned out to be one of the bravest things I’ve ever done. The second I entered the gym I knew my life would never be the same. I was given the opportunity to fight for ME and I was in! 100%! My first day was my 40th birthday and I remember being so hungry... I was searching for self-worth, self-respect, self-control, identity, motivation, strength, compassion, friendship…. ALL THE THINGS! And from the very first day, that very first work out, my journey began!! Every day I am stronger! I have self worth, self-respect, identity & motivation! I am strong, I am compassionate, and I have made the very best friends! THANK YOU LU & SHANTELL!! You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself! You fought for me until I was able to fight for myself!
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I want the woman working out next to me to know that I believe in her and I’m rooting for her! We are better together!!! I tend to be competitive but only because I believe we all push a little harder when we are challenged in a loving and healthy environment! I am constantly challenged to do better and give more by the women working out next to me…. I have never known a more loving or healthier environment than what has been cultivated at Drop Gym. I am a better and stronger person because of the lifelong friends I have made at the gym. #wemetatthegym
What is one part of yourself you really love?
One of the things I love most about myself is my ability to laugh and spread joy! I have been told my joy is contagious, and I think that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever had! I try to intentionally connect with others… sometimes all it takes is a kind word or a genuine smile for someone to feel seen and loved. I know what it’s like to be left out. I moved around a lot as a child and went to far too many schools. I never really had a group of friends to call my own until I was an adult. I never want anyone to feel that hurt. I want everyone to know they are seen and loved and welcome!!
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
My favorite movement in the gym is probably jump roping! It makes me feel like a kid again, so innocent and carefree… I did competitive jump rope for a short time between fifth and sixth grade. I loved it! HOT FEET — that was the name of our jump rope team! I still remember my routine to Jump by Van Halen!
My most challenging movement at the gym is literally anything with the sandbags. Running away has been my default… when things get hard - go the other way, switch lanes, start something new….. but it is impossible to run away when you’re carrying a sandbag! It literally weighs you down and forces you to be present and face the challenge in front of you. Sandbags have taught me so much about myself and how I handle stress. I love and hate them equally!! I am never excited to see sandbags programmed for the days work out, but I’m always a better person for it!!
Meet Niesje Lenae
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
I did Camp 17 (DG’s original program) in early 2017 right after moving to Medford from out of state. When I came to the program, the radiating life and authenticity of what Lu and Shantell were imparting impacted me. I had found people who spoke the same language. They were going after depth in the whole person- body, mind, heart, spirit- and their values were the same values that had moved me across the world several times in pursuit of true life. It was obvious these women had a key to the body that I had been searching for. I had done SO many years of work in my mind and heart- meditation, counseling, yoga, worship, prayer, therapy, retreats, schools, certificates, life coaching- but my body was the secret key waiting to unlock my healing.
What is one part of yourself you really love and one part you want to have more self compassion toward?
I really love my ability to attune with and see people’s hearts- I love knowing people deeply and helping them discover their unique identity. I would like to continue to have more compassion on my little inner child, and be more compassionate on myself when I’m learning something new.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
Honestly it’s a tossup between moving to Australia when I was 18 to lead teams of teens into 3rd world nations (sorry Mom, lol)- OR moving my whole life on blind faith to Medford at 27, to pioneer my dream of a creative school and live-in community with friends.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
Running 13 miles, UP A MOUNTAIN! LOL. A group of us from the gym committed to do the Mt. Ashland Hill Climb this month. I have never done a run longer than 8 miles and honestly didn’t know I had it in me. It was cooooold- there was rain, hail, fog and snow, it was challenging…And I made it to the top! I even was able to run most of the way. I felt absolute euphoria at the end of the run and cried my eyes out. I felt so capable and strong and so proud of myself and the journey I’ve been on with my body. I honestly surprised myself with the time I made it in, and how much fun I had. It was an unforgettable milestone for me.
In one year from now, what would like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
I would like to wake up with total belief in my ability to take action. I would like to think “ I got this. Life is so beautiful! Anything can happen! I’m a badass. Today is going to be amazing because I am cultivating a life of joy, connection and creativity. I am ready to face whatever comes my way with adventure and soul. I am resilient,”
What actress would you choose to have play You, in the movie of your life?
Jennifer Lawrence, hands down.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
Belting full sonorous harmonies in a multi racial gospel choir, bike riding at golden hour, running through the forest and rain, traveling, mountain views, and dancing my a** off on a dance floor with people I love.
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I would want her to know that this used to be one of my greatest fears in my life. That I feel so honored by every single woman who comes into the gym and allows herself to feel, release and do something new- that is the true work. This has been such a slow, steady process but it has transformed me! I used to be so insecure that I absolutely hated doing movement of any kind in front of people. If you told me 10 years ago that I would belong to a women’s gym and be passionate about working out and my body- I would not have believed you! I spent the first part of my life so disconnected from my body, uncoordinated and avoiding any thing that smelled remotely like movement. I had a lot of trauma in my body from years of intense reactions in the home I grew up in. I wrestled with my self image and capability so deeply and I had poor self worth. This journey of loving myself and re-connecting with my body has absolutely changed my life! I feel so strong and able for the first time in my life. Adventure, joy, and new dreams have been the natural byproducts. So much trauma that could never have healed through counseling has been identified and rewired in the gym. I used to feel powerless, ashamed and ugly- now I feel powerful, shocked by my own capacity and beautiful. There is still more connection and growth to be had, but truly, tears come to my eyes as I think about how Dropgym has changed my life. I want all the women out there to know - YOU are so much more capable than you have even imagined! Give yourself a chance,
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Adventurous, passionate, vibrant.
Meet Julietta Longiotti
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
I was just about to graduate high school in January of this year, and knew that a lot of my time would be freed up. I wanted to be intentional with how I spent it. I have a history of some health and hormonal issues, and I'd heard about dropgym a few times. I had a desire to connect with, and feel at home in my body and get in some movement after a period of time hiding from intensity. It felt like after years of being told what to do in school, I had an opportunity to choose to take care of myself. I went to all 5 days of the trial week, it was so hard, but after that I immediately signed up for 3 months! The rest is history, and now I wish I could live at the gym, I love it so much!
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I really enjoy lifting, pushing, and carrying heavy and challenging myself in that area. It makes me feel strong and capable when I test my limits.
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Sincere, exuberant, and compassionate
What does consistency look like for you?
Being intentional with my schedule and prioritizing the things that make me feel the most alive and connected to myself. Practicing diligence by doing something hard every day.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
I have some previous pain associated with movement, and especially running, from a time when my system was very unhealthy. Moving past that association and trusting my body again to recover well has been something big that I've faced.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
Making the decision to leave my family and the place that I've grown up, for 6 months to do missions work with an organization where I'll grow my faith, get to know myself, travel, and do hard things! Putting myself in new and uncomfortable situations and trusting the process is huge for me.
Meet Hannah Conry
What originally drew you to join DropGym?
I always enjoy working out in a group setting more than on my own. I had been getting by with my kettlebells at home, hiking, calisthenics, and yoga and I was really ready to be around people. We moved to The Rogue Valley only 6 months before lockdown started, so we barely had had time to get settled and get to know the area and people before lockdown. I was getting BORED working out on my own at home and really ready to be in community. I had heard DropGym mentioned a few times on some local Facebook forums and checked it out and was sold. An all women’s functional fitness gym?!?! Doesn’t get better than that. It’s been just over a year since my first class and I am thrilled that I took the leap to workout with a bunch of women I had never met before.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I really enjoy pushing and pulling heavy, loaded sleds! I had never done this before working out at DropGym, and I love it. It feels so good to push my body hard and go beyond anything I thought possible. No matter how heavy or hard something is I know that I have the power within me to make things happen.
Describe one memory where you felt the most like yourself and the most alive.
Just one?!?! I grew up as a dancer. Ballet started at 6, jazz at 7, hip hop and Irish Step Dance at 9, started teaching ballet at 12, you get the picture. The studio did a recital every year. When I was 17 I was in so many of the numbers that the program had to be spaced a particular way just to allow me time for costume changes! I even showcased my first solo choreography for a younger class I taught. Almost the entire program was an expression of my passion and hardwork. I had dedicated so much time and effort and had put my body through all it could take and this was the glorious culmination where I got to shine and share what brought me joy. Still makes me tear up a little remembering it. Today, when I embody my passion fully, it reminds me of that day.
In one year from now, what would you like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
How could life get any better than this! Adventure onward beautiful soul. Similar to how I wake up now with gratitude for the day ahead with each moment a dance of choices.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
I have to give two responses, they go together. When I finished my bachelor’s (which is in finance) I was accepted to law school to continue my education in international business law. My father, a chiropractor, needed help for his back office as the person working that position had just quit. He asked if I would be willing to fill in for the summer. I was in charge of finances, accounting, marketing, patient exams, and patient education. I loved it so much that I didn’t go to law school. Brave thing number one. In fact I stayed working with him for 10 years! During that time I did my 500hr yoga teacher certification, became a reiki master, became a doula, and trained with a home birth midwife for 3.5 years. I was on track to become a midwife, I’d reached senior apprentice level, and decided I didn’t want to cut off care with my clients at 6 weeks postpartum. In comes brave thing number two-medical school with a young family in tow! I decided it was time to follow in my father’s footsteps and go to chiropractic school, the same one he went to (Western States is considered the most rigorous chiropractic program in the US). So from AZ I moved my family to Portland, OR to spend 4 years in medical school when I had been out of school for 10 years. It was hard balancing family and school. I even had to bring my kids to classes with me sometimes. My husband had a lot of traveling he was doing for work. It was a long 4 years and somehow I made it through with honors. I am so glad I took both of these brave steps that have lead me to the work I get to do now.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
1) My boys getting along, no matter what they are bonding over (this is rare as they are 11 and 13!).
2) Being with my husband-cuddling, chatting, preparing a meal, taking a walk, it doesn’t matter-he is my favorite.
3) Camping under a sky full of stars-bonus if I can smell the desert after a rain at the same time.
4) When a patient has been told “you’ll never…” or “get use to living with…” and together we make those statements no longer a part of their truth.
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
My disposition is quiet and subdued. I am an observer, I deeply analyze my environment and all the sensory input coming my way. I feel the burn and the push too, it just takes a lot to get noise out of me.
What’s a day in the life with Hannah look like?
I know it sounds cliche, but I really do wake up with a smile for another amazing day. Then I take the puppy out for a short walk and head over to DropGym (I am a 6am-er). Then home to get the kids and myself ready for the day. Take the kids to school and I head off to work. I see patients for 4-5 hours and then run home to take care of the puppy. Pick up the kids and then run errands. Meditation and yoga before taking the kids to TKD or piano. Cook dinner, family game, maybe a family show. Send the kids upstairs so my hubby and I can have a few minutes together and passed out by 10pm usually. Whew!
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Grounded, peaceful, adventuresome.
Meet Caitlin Trost
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I can quote the entire Nacho Libre movie.
What is one part of yourself you really love and one part you want to have more self compassion toward?
I love my free-spiritedness. I love how I am always craving new adventures and new experiences and not afraid to take risks. I am really working on having more compassion on how deeply my heart longs for simplicity and stillness.
Describe one memory where you felt the most like yourself and the most alive.
Definitely when I helped deliver sweet babies at a birth clinic in Haiti... 25 to be exact! I would wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of a bell ringing outside the gate, telling us midwives that a woman was there ready for a baby to come soon. I will never forget hearing the women sing their way through labor, and soon I was able to sing with them. I have never felt more at home in myself. I love how I could speak a completely different language and come from a completely different background, yet I could sit with them and help them through one of the most sacred events of their life.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
I am really proud of the way I am establishing trust with myself in the midst of pain. Not so much physical pain… but mental pain. I have allowed the fear of pain to hold me back in a lot of moments in the gym, and I am slowly building a relationship with pain and realizing that when you engage with pain, you are growing in true courage.
What actress would you choose to have play You, in the movie of your life?
Totally Claire Danes! She’s my favorite, and I have heard she is my celebrity look-a-like. *chef’s kiss*
In one year from now, what would like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
“Wow, sex with my husband really does keep getting better and better.” hehe.
Are there any fears you’ve had to overcome on this journey at dropgym?
Definitely the fear of my own strength! The more I have connected with myself in the gym, the stronger I feel in every area of my life, and the more humble I grow. As my own strength has grown, it’s challenged me to see that it always invites me to greater levels of challenging my capacity.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
I hopped on a plane three days after I turned 18 and moved to Africa! I can’t wait to move back one day with my husband and children.
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Peaceful, whimsical, desirable.
Meet Ashley Feeley
What originally drew you to DropGym?
This last summer, I was having a really hard time. I had developed really bad anxiety and insomnia. My husband was working a lot, and I was feeling really isolated and alone. I mentioned to my brother that I was feeling a lot of these things and he had mentioned he had heard of an all women's gym in Medford that might be good for me and help me find a sense of community. That next week, I signed up for the one week trial and the rest is history.
Who is one of your greatest superheros/ rolemodels?
That would definitely be my mom. She was an amazing woman. She was so incredibly, brave, and strong. She taught me how to love your family, and how to be brave even when things are really hard. She taught me to be compassionate, kind and to love others even those who are hard to love.
In 2009, she lost her battle with cancer, but even in the midst of all her pain and suffering she was always thinking of others and her family. I can't even begin to describe how brave she was, she never let on that she was scared. I strive everyday to be as good a mom as she was to me.
What's your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to or changed how you approach your life?
I love the kettle bell and pushing myself to see how heavy I can go. And I don't know if this is a movement per say but nose-nose breathing has truly changed how I approach my life. It has taught me that I'm not going to "die" when things get hard and honestly helped so much with my anxiety in day to day life. It's also helped me stay more present and focused on my breathing rather than checking out.
What's the bravest thing you've ever done?
Having a homebirth. I tend to be an anxious person and doubt my ability to do things a lot. I've never been so scared in my life. After seeing my mom go through cancer in the hospital, I couldn't imagine bringing my kids into the world in a place that brings back so many bad/hard memories. So, since I had healthy pregnancies I decided to have my kids at home. I've never felt so empowered in my life. It is crazy what the women's body is capable of and the pain it can withstand. I never thought I would be able to have a baby without any pain medication, but I did it and it has made me feel like I can do anything that I set my mind to.
Are there any fears you've had to overcome on this journey at drop gym?
There's been a lot of fears at the drop gym I've had to overcome. Firstly, I've always been afraid people are going to judge me for my lack of ability or that I don't know what I'm doing. I quickly learned that no one at drop gym is there to judge you. Everyone there is there to encourage one another and learn together. Secondly, I've always been afraid of heavy things. I have always doubted my strength and what I'm capable of. The coaches at drop gym have helped me push my limits and show me that my body is capable of so much more than I ever could have thought.
What are you most proud of for facing in the gym?
I've never been very athletic in my life and I've always been so self conscious and worried that other people will judge me because I don't know what I'm doing. I can't tell you how hard it was to sign up for just the one week trial and show up. I will never forget the first class I went to at drop gym. I remember thinking I was going to die and I just wanted it to be over. But guess what I didn't die and I was just fine and I told myself I have to give it a second chance and I'm so glad I did. I'm incredibly proud of myself for continuing to show up even when it's hard. And I'm so glad I did. The woman at drop gym have changed my life.
Meet Sasha Timen
What originally drew you to DropGym?
My hairstylist had been going and asked me if I had been to the gym. I had heard of Camp17, but didn’t know that there was a gym associated to that program. I had recently lost my house to the Alameda Fire in September 2020 and was staying with friends and didn’t have a space to workout. Prior to the fire, I had been the most consistent I’d ever been with my physical fitness. I knew that I needed to get some good, challenging physical activity back into my life to deal with the trauma. Joining a gym that was focused on women and had classes sounded like the place I wanted to be. The rest is history!
What are you most proud of yourself for facing at the gym?
The box jump! I’m still working on it but that thing scared the heck outta me. Then one day it was on the board and I was like, “welp, it’s now or some other time, may as well be now!” So, I took a deep breath and just trusted myself to do it and when I got on the top of the box I was so stoked and knew I could do more than one.
What is one part of yourself you really love and one part you want to have more self compassion toward?
I love how I am a friend. It is something that I’ve worked really hard at being better at after feeling like I failed so many people. I just made the decision that I wanted better friends so to have better friends, I needed to be a better friend! I love the journey that I’ve been on to cultivate that part of me and how it has manifested amazing people in my life.
One part that I wish I had more self compassion toward would be my self-talk. I tend to go to the negative very quickly when talking to myself or about myself. I want to have more grace and compassion for who I am and who I am developing into.
What’s a day in the life with Sasha look like?
Hmm…. This is a tough one as an entrepreneur because every day is different but I try to keep some consistencies in there to develop routine and stability. I start my day with a time of journaling, reading and personal development. I am a graphic designer and a yearbook rep so I work with people all over the state either in person or via zoom. Often I’ll have some sort of touch point with a teacher and/or class somewhere in the state doing some form of training, catching up or giving them a pep talk. As a graphic designer, I have all sorts of clients and will be working on a design gig getting work out for review or finalizing for whatever they need the design for. After work, I will usually get in some sort of movement whether it is going to the gym, a walk, or a home workout. I’m pretty extroverted so the evenings usually include some sort of hang out with my friends or spiritual community. And then… prep to do something like that all again the next day!
Are there any fears you’ve had to overcome on this journey at dropgym?
Yes, absolutely! I feel like almost every time I go to the gym there is something to overcome. Whether it is limiting beliefs of what I can/cannot do, areas that I feel inadequate in, or just the general feeling of not wanting to be seen and just be a “fly on the wall” and “get through the workout.” One thing that I love about this gym though is there is space to actually go through every emotion imaginable and the response is ALWAYS “that’s ok” from the girls. The other day after completing a workout, I was doing a cool down walk and I just kept hearing the word “power” when I walked back toward the gym. It is so cool to be able to apply the feeling of what your body is saying to what you just activated. Pushing through the fears to get to what your body/mind needs is where I see the most change and empowerment.
Who’s one of your greatest superheroes/ role models?
Without a doubt, my parents. My parents have been spiritual leaders, parents, and teachers for my entire life. They love big, accept people, and want to see people succeed even if it means they have to “step out” of the “limelight”. They are the truest example of perseverance, humility and leadership.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
Being with my family, especially the littles (nephews/nieces); vacation at the beach; hiking/being in nature; good conversations and dinner time with my people.
Meet Autumn Duskey
What originally drew you to DropGym?
Jesus. I was walking through a difficult season of life. My husband had just been murdered and I was attempting to process his death. But as I did this I continually found myself struggling to breath, to process, to cope with the pain (physically and mentally), to do simple daily tasks, struggling to sleep. My body hurt. My heart hurt. My soul was desperate for a solution because I didn’t know if I could bear the pain for another day. So in these sleepless nights I prayed and asked God for help. I would tell him over and over that I knew He knew what I needed but I didn’t and would he help me. He replied back with one word “MOVE”. It took me a minute to figure out what this meant but soon in those conversation I learned that He was asking me to move my body. And so I did.
I began looking for a gym. I started googling and searching facebook for a place that I could workout and I found DropGym. I had no idea that the things happening in my life not only needed to be processed mentally but also needed to be processed physically. My body needed to process the grief of losing my husband, the events leading up to his death, and all the things that had happened throughout my life. My body had been storing all of this information and now was on complete overload. The pain I was feeling was actually a sign that I needed to do something. So I began my journey at DropGym peeling back one layer at a time processing all the things and in the midst of it slowly coming to life.
What does consistency look like for you?
Showing up.
As simple as this sounds, I learned somewhere along the way that “to show up” was half the battle for me. So whether it’s a new situation and I am awkwardly uncomfortable, I show up. If it's a hard thing I do not want to face, I show up. If I am struggling to feel happiness or joy, I show up. The battle is in showing up and choosing to show up is how I remain consistent.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing at the gym?
It was 24/7, Tribe 3. Shantell was talking to us about the empathy walk. I had done this walk once before when I did my first camp. I knew somewhat what to expect and had been anticipating this walk all week long, but I was in a completely different place in life this time around. I knew it would not be the same. The first time I carried the 40 lb bag and really struggled to make it around the block. Now, I had trained here for two years and knew I could carry more.
I thought to myself, "I think I will try for the 80 or 100lb this time. I think I can do that." But as Shantell spoke to us she challenged us to possibly do something that maybe we didn’t know we could do. My buddy went first and I was still undecided of what I would do. But then I looked at her and said “If I can get the bag off the ground I am going to go for it”. She nodded and we went. I went over to the bags and picked the 120 pound bag up. I got it off the ground and so we went.
I had this lid on my life that I would put on all things. I was tired of it being there. I remember the moment as I came around the first bend, that the lid flew off like a fire hydrant. Boy was that a proud moment of accomplishment. No one told me to do it, I trusted myself and yet I tried something new, something challenging, something I didn’t know if I could do. I faced failure in the eye and said, "I am going to try." I faced that lid I kept trying to put on all the things of life. I got rowdy, I let my self be excited, tired, celebrate victory. And all the while I did it in community with others allowing myself to be vulnerable and let others be in the hard, messy, thrilling, and exciting places with me.
Who’s one of your greatest superhero’s / role models?
Lu. I have never met someone so willing to fight for life like you. You have this deep passion to live, to love, to see, to embrace, to challenge, to speak truth. You are willing to go to the depths, to get messy, to enter in. You walk into those places that others are afraid to go and turn on the light so that other can follow. The most amazing part of this is that you not only live this out for yourself but you desire to bring that to each person you meet. Your presence calls hearts and souls to attention. Your presence calls truth to to the room. You living the life you were called and destined to live has changed life and changed the course of families who have followed the same path for generations. Your life well lived has changed the course of history. You are a world changer. You are the most courageous beautiful person I have ever met.
Is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach life?
All things sandbags have changed how I approach life. I think I have solved how I struggle in all of life’s problems through how I carry, don’t carry, give up, choose to fight through, and wrestle around with a sandbag. For me a sandbag is like that good friend who will always tell you the good hard truth when you are not willing to see it.
In one year from now, what would you like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
To feel true joy, and to know that it’s going to be a good day regardless of circumstances. I felt really worn down prior to joining DropGym. All I could see was the bad, so much so that I struggled to find the good in things. I had come to expect the bad, and lost the feeling of excitement, joy, and to be expectant of the good. I have learned the past few years that both good and hard simultaneously exist together. The bad things are going to happen, but so are the good. I would like to wake up being able to see them both, be engaged in both, and acknowledging them both fully.
Describe one memory where you felt the most like yourself and the most alive.
It was 2002, and I was in my car driving to Eugene to interview for a college scholarship. I remember driving in the car and listening to a song called “Hold it up to the light”. I knew that I was headed to the “interview”, but in life I had no idea where I was going. I went to college after my first son was born. My love for him led me somewhere new, and I wanted a different life for him, I wanted a better life for us. I knew there was something else out there. So I headed off on a journey and in blessed naivety, in the simplest of faith, chose to do something different. I felt the most alive in this moment driving in the car with music blaring, singing loudly, and believing that there was hope for something more.
What’s one thing you’d want the woman working out next to you to know about you?
I am so grateful for each one of you. Your presence has radically changed me as a person, a woman, a mother, a friend. I am honored to run along side of each of you and it is not something I take lightly that you would allow me to do this with you and that you would do it with me. I will fight for you, cheer you on, celebrate your victories, and be consistent to show up for you. I will do this first by doing all of these things for myself, so that I can be a good buddy for you.
Meet Jenn Shelton
What originally drew you to dropgym?
Both of my kids trained for their Black Belts for many years under Shantell, when she taught at Chip Wright's Champion Karate. So, when Shantell and Lu first started Camp 17, Shantell told me all about it and invited me to join! It sounded intriguing! After years of driving my kids back and forth to all of their activities, it was now MY time to have some fun of my own! Even though there is a myth circulating that I was part of Tribe 1, I was actually part of Tribe 2, which started in March 2016! I've been with Drop Gym ever since! I think it's pretty cool that some of the ladies I met wayyyyy back then are still in class with me today! :)
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
I took a summer internship in early college with the Indian Health Service in Arizona. I remember being nervous and sad leaving the comforts of home. I knew nobody in Arizona, so it was a huge adventure for young me! I traveled throughout the state with my job to several Indian reservations where we helped assess vector control and food safety/water quality. As part of the job, I had the blessing to hike several long, hot hours down the Grand Canyon to visit the home of the Havasupai Tribe! Lots of switchbacks and tons of sweat! Thankfully, the mules carried our belongings. If you know me, you know I'm definitely not a fan of helicopters/flying. BUT, I had developed severe blisters by the end of the visit, so for $50 cash I was flown straight up from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the top in less than 5 minutes. It was a bit scary---it was super windy, the helicopter swayed back and forth, and there were no doors! When we got to the top, I learned how dangerous the ride was. But, we made it! I was thankful!
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
I love sitting outside watching birds and insects do their thing! There is so much to learn about order and purpose from observing nature!
I feel joy in the mornings sitting with my husband sipping coffee.
I feel blessed when my 21 year old son calls me and when my 18 year old daughter wants to spend time with me!
Life is so short. TIME = LOVE.
Are there any fears you’ve had to overcome on this journey at dropgym?
"Am I enough?" "Did I do that right?" Those are 2 questions (fears) that I have had come up more than once over the years. I'm definitely an over-thinker and can be very hard on myself. And it's something I can recognize easily in others. So, my advice to the women of DropGym is this: Just Be Yourself. You ARE enough! Just be you, commit to growing each day, and learn what's best for your God-given body! I see you. You are beautiful just the way you are! No one here is judging you. We are ALL learning and improving each day, and no one has it all together! In Camp 17, we were told to find the GOLD in others! SO, let's strive to SEE the GOLD in OURSELVES! The #1 encourager you have is...YOU! Tell yourself what you need to hear! I'm learning to speak positive words of encouragement to myself, rather than waiting to hear it from someone outside of myself! The truth is: no one but me knows what I need to hear the most! I am learning to be my #1 encourager!
When you feel most safe, loved and like your true self, what are three words that describe you well?
Loud, honest, sarcastic.
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I love rowing, burpees, and deadlifts! I love how many muscles I feel activated during those 3 exercises, and how they make me feel strong and capable! Learning to breathe better through movements has helped me approach life more confidently! Focused breathing has literally saved me many times in life from having a panic attack set in! I never get those anymore because I can literally stop them as I sense them coming on by 1) telling myself repeatedly that I'm okay, and 2) intentional, focused breathing! I love when I can starve those panic attacks from setting in- It's a pretty awesome feeling!
What does consistency look like for you?
In terms of health and fitness, consistency is setting myself realistic goals and hitting them most of the time, but giving myself constant grace (a buffer) as needed. For example, while I would love to exercise 5 days a week, there are weeks where I can only make it 3 days a week, but I'm still being consistent with keeping exercise a priority even though I missed a couple of days! Consistency can look a little different each week, but overall I can say I'm definitely consistent with prioritzing exercise! Consistency is NOT perfection! (it took me many years to figure that out!)
Meet Paty Maxey
What’s your favorite movement? And is there a movement in the gym that has spoken to you or changed how you approach your life?
I really like rowing, and squats! Having to be thoughtful about pressing my big toe on the ground was a game changer.
What actress would you choose to have play You, in the movie of your life?
Mrs. Frizzle from magic school bus.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
Moving to Oregon. I’ve always been super attached to my family and being able to move across the country with just my husband was a challenge. But after everything, it just made our marriage stronger and I was able to discover who I truly am.
In one year from now, what would you like to wake up thinking/feeling every morning?
I want to feel strong, fit and at my best.
I want to be able to look back and feel proud of how far I’ve pushed myself.
What are you most proud of yourself for facing in the gym?
How strong I really am, sometimes I forget and it’s nice to be reminded.
What are 3-4 things that describe the feeling of “JOY” for you?
My children, my husband, when the trees change color in the fall and Christmas time.
What originally drew you to join dropgym?
My best friend Ashley!