What keeps you coming back to AFS?
We all have “safe spaces.” AFS has become a safe space of mine. At AFS, you will always find kindness in the form of staff members valuing the opportunity to know you byname. The vast majority of clients are also kind, and on the rare occasion they aren’t, you’ll find that they warm up to you by the end of class 🙂 I also appreciate that the facility is always clean. AFS exudes value in all regards.
How do you define your success?
A successful day at AFS for me, is one wherein I can be present enough to listen to the instruction without the distraction of my phone. It’s one where I can focus on the importance of breath work throughout the session, and a day in which I’m not so zoned in on myself that I miss joyful moments- such as a parent who brings their child to a workout, or seeing elders in our community who can kick my butt in class with their strength level compared to mine 🙂
What was your biggest obstacle you overcame to achieve your success?
I had allowed myself to forget the importance of self-care pertaining to physicality. The first few months taking class for me was upsetting, because I had allowed my physical and mental strength to diminish over the past six years.
What was your biggest fear before you started?
I hold myself to very high standards (I’m working on it), and for better or worse hold environments to those same standards. Though I knew once I saw the TRX Bands on Facebook, that AFS was the best physical program in Ann Arbor, my fear was that AFS would still not compare to my favorite gym in Manhattan. AFS is better than my former gym in Manhattan, and that’s a bold statement because I deeply cherish what I learned in Manhattan years ago, and have held each facility to that standard, until AFS beat it.
What are some fitness myths you used to believe?
I didn’t have fitness myths when I began. I’d say, I live with an open curiosity. I often will have a question or two pertaining to proper form or something that I see other people do. The practitioners always meet my curiosity with understanding, and I valuethat immensely. Each practitioner has a strong ability to absorb questions, and provide people with knowledgable feedback about his or her own body. It’s quite a strength 🙂
What advice would you give others looking to start with AFS?
Pay for it. (“But…..”) No. No buts. Just trust the process.
If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself before your first class?
Get in there and get it done, girl!
What changes (diet or exercise) are you currently working on?
For diet, when I wasn’t feeling well recently I wanted Apple Jacks (SO random and old school). I got a box and when it was gone, I got another one (eeek). The box literally reads “Sugar cereal with…” So I’m working on putting down the Apple Jacks <3.
What is your “WHY”?
Love and mental temperance. You need strength in order to love, and mental temperance in order to be self-aware of your choices.
What is your long-term goal? How do you envision yourself getting there?
My long-term goal is to be “capable.” I have faith that if I just keep being mindful of myself, my habits, and increased physicality, I’ll be capable of doing anything I want in the future.
How is your life different now?
I’m more open to my environments, mindful of my needs, and happy to be well <3.
Tell us about a moment where you were really proud of yourself
Progressing from a “modified push up/weighted arm row” to a “push up with a weighted bent arm row.” Super fun! Shoutout to former AFS team member Katie Griffin (my first Practitioner before Kemper Sosa) on the encouragement for me back in the day 🙂