The Power Of SharIng Your Story

By Erin Rhoades

There was a time that I was ashamed to share my struggles.

I was afraid to admit that I battled with disordered eating.

I would under eat and over exercise to an extreme, and when no one was looking on a weekend night, I would binge on sweets to the point I thought I would literally be sick. I had somehow allowed food and exercise to control me. It was all I thought about, and it wasn’t until my body became physically sick that I took a step back and decided that something had to change.

As I dealt with my demons, and my body and mind were healing, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. I wasn’t that strong, in control person everyone thought I was…at least not yet.

What I didn’t know is that my secret struggles were eventually going to mold me into that person I wanted to be. The transformation that needed to take place didn’t begin until I decided to share my story. I started with one person that I thought might understand and I knew for certain wouldn’t judge me, but would love me through it. By telling that one person, my secret already had less power over me and I immediately felt a little stronger. I decided to share with a few more people and with each time I told about my struggles, a little of that shame melted away.

I eventually decided to speak a little louder and share my story on my blog. I remember staring at my words, wondering if putting my story out there for the world to see was the right thing to do. I finally took a deep breath, counted to three and clicked “post”. I closed my computer and waited a while before I looked for any reactions on my social media, but when I did, I knew I had done the right thing. There were many comments but the one’s that really tugged at my heart were the women thanking me for being vulnerable, because now they didn’t feel so alone.

From that day forward, the shame that burdened me was no longer there. I now find it to be a privilege when I get to share my personal struggles. I personally believe we go through things for two specific reasons. One, they make us stronger and form us into the people we are meant to be. Two, we are to take what we’ve learned from difficult situations and help others. Whether that is helping someone going through a similar situation or to warn others against making our same mistakes. There is a lot more to my story than what I’ve briefly shared (which you can read about here), but I can honestly say with all my heart, that I would gladly go through it all again, if I can stop one person from going down my same path.

I urge you, if you have an experience that has changed your life and made you stronger, to tell that story. You don’t have to write a blog and put your life out there for just anyone to see. Maybe you choose to tell just one person to lighten that burden you’ve been carrying around. Find that someone you trust and share your struggle. Being vulnerable isn’t always fun, but it can be rewarding in many different ways. Maybe your story will be the one that might just change someone else’s life.

How to Lose a Gunt in 10 Days

By K.L.

Countless magazines, both health and fashion, tell us we can do anything. "Be bikini ready in 2 weeks!" "Get THESE abs by the weekend!" "Look 10 pounds thinner by noon!" 

I know the articles that seem too good to be true, ARE too good to be true. These so-called miracle cures and drastic claims are just fluff pieces to sell magazines (... Uh, similar to this one). I know it isn't realistic, or attainable to look like Gwyneth Paltrow with one swift ab exercise. I know putting coconut oil on my cellulite and stretch marks won't make it supple and smooth like Beyoncé's. I know J-Lo's butt is not something I can get by buying an exercise band. And I most certainly know that my legs will never look like Heidi Klum's, and especially not because I take on a 2-week squat challenge. 

So why do I keep going for the quick fix? The overnight results? Why do I even read these articles? 

I am the type who will go so hard in the gym. I love to sweat, and work hard, so much so that I'll compete with myself and others. The hardest part for me is nutrition. The gym is an hour a day, (alright, maybe half an hour. Well, a few days a week. Okay, at least once) but food is ALL day EVERY day. And it's the most important part! These "quick fix" articles show a 3-minute arm circle workout and claim that they will give me the "bikini body I've always wanted." IT'S NOT ENOUGH, my friends. I know, because I've tried. Somehow my abs look the same even if I follow the Kale Smoothie diet for three days (I think the box of Oreos may have something to do with it). 

So why the title, you ask? Well, it was a ploy to get you to read this article.

... Did it work? 

What is a gunt, anyway? Well, urban dictionary will tell you (see also: fupa), but here is my highly educated response: it's the space between your belly button and your lady parts. It's the place that all dresses (tight or loose) love to grab on to. The spot that seems impossible to get rid of. It's the spot our kids like to touch and ask us if there's a baby in there. The sole reason shape wear was invented. The spot that tells us we've had too much Halloween candy. The spot that loves to come out and play if ever we dare bend over. 

So, how does one lose a gunt in 10 days? Sorry, friends. We don't.

That sucker isn't going away in just over a week. But with proper nutrition, strength and interval training, and a hefty source of willpower, we can get closer to a flat stomach. It might take weeks. It might take months. It might take a year. But we are too smart to keep believing the gimmicky "dietainment" stories that wreak havoc on our self-esteem. We've learned, through all of the fad diets and fad exercise plans, that there is no quick fix. It always comes down to what you put in your body, and how you push your body to be strong. 

And hey, if all else fails, there's always Spanx. 

(Endnote: when I pitched the idea for this article to editor Val, she asked me, "What is a gunt?" This made me laugh, then become infuriated. A woman who doesn't know what a gunt is? A mother of 4 who's never had a little pooch down by her va-jay-jay? It's just not fair. I love you, Val, but I may have to unfriend you on Facebook.) 

#GORGOgirl: TracI Melgar

The Struggle is Part of the Adventure

Honored, humbled, excited, panicked.  Those are emotions connected with adventure. The adventure of sharing. The adventure of attending Camp Gorgo last year alone at 57.  The adventure to learn to be a better small business owner.

March 19, 2020: my 58th birthday
Struggling with the transition to online fitness training with my demographic as the vast majority are in the “high risk" category for no reason other than age. They are also not, for the majority, technologically versed or familiar.  Truthfully, neither am I. While I’ve dabbled, nothing has gone as expected. I over think, over plan and find myself exhausted trying to learn lighting, the view of streaming, and anticipating uncontrollable unexpected factors that present daily. What an adventure!

Let’s add that even though I am incredibly blessed and grateful to have my 9-year-old granddaughter flattening the curve with me, (her mom is single and a police officer) I have also put on the “at home, online teacher” hat.

Teaching has always been a passion regardless of the subject. Whether it was my years of traditional education by grade, Survival Spanish, ESL, Fitness, or how to help save Monarch butterflies, that is not the struggle. That’s the adventure that calls to me. This online, relying on technology, waiting for responses to email, receipt of lessons to accomplish our goals, that’s the challenge.

I have three amazing grown children. Two live about an hour away and the other resides in DC. Facing this birthday in a bit of a pity party as my husband is at work (essential workforce keeping UPS Aircraft safely in the air), I have to put in three hours of continued streaming with my fit groups, make sure my granddaughter gets her online lessons accomplished, and struggle with the idea of driving the hour to meet up with my three children. Yes my three children! An unexpected death of a close prominent friend has driven my oldest son to make a trip to Kentucky and it happened to coincide with my birthday. It will, if I choose to go, be the first birthday with all my children together in five years.

I am anxious, nervous, stressed. I am trying to be responsible but the Mother’s heart within wants desperately to be with her children on her birthday. My daughter calls needing to shift our gathering time a little earlier due to an unexpected mandatory meeting at the precinct. No more time to think. If I am going to go I have to just do it. Slightly exhausted and anxious upon arrival, I have  a myriad of emotions and thoughts running through my brain. I look old, I feel old, medical issues including debilitating chronic migraines have taken their toll on my weight and my energy. Why does it take a funeral to get my son home? Is my daughter safe or exposed as an officer posted at the official testing hospital for this virus. Am I endangering myself or my granddaughter?

 I get up to my son's room at the downtown hotel at which he is staying.  We knock, no answer. my stomach tightens. My phone rings. I hear my son say, “Hey mom where are you?”. I repeat the same as I am worrying how we will all be safely and comfortably in a hotel room. He tells me he is in the Lobby and to come back down. I am now worried my children are not taking this pandemic seriously. Once I return to the lobby, my son greets me with “Hi beautiful, Happy Birthday!” He leads me into an empty dining hall he has reserved for the afternoon with private meal and drink service.  Every negative thought and emotion from stress melts and I spend five glorious hours with my three children and granddaughter seated around a banquet table laughing, talking, eating, and drinking. I am thoroughly enjoying the adventure of my 58th birthday amidst the Corona Virus Pandemic!  I stepped out of fear, into the unknown and uncomfortable, to enjoy the adventure.

Adventure including struggle brought me to Camp Gorgo last year by myself. As a small fitness business owner I wanted to learn to be better at what I feel led to do. I wanted to learn that specifically from Women and certainly women in the business. A friend connected me with the Gorgo online group. I decided to dive in and commit to camp, as it was basically in my own backyard after all.

From last minute strangers welcoming me to be their roomies and having the exact same dress for formal night, to meeting one of the most outgoing friendly newbies at the Meet and Greet, embracing it “All In"  and accidentally getting into a car of the most hilarious Gorgo girls ever! (clown car travel at its finest!), one of two mermaids and yes again same dress different color at the formal.  

Absorbing, learning, experiencing and connecting with the strengths of so many incredibly amazing women.
Wow what an adventure!

Was I nervous and uncomfortable at moments? Yes, but every woman I had any amount of connection with erased them. The adventure made the struggle worth it. In the pressures and stresses of life, we might get so discouraged, and in our head, that we miss it. It is not about the struggle. It is about finding, owning, and finally beginning to understand our own story, struggles included. This in truth is our adventure. I will forever be grateful for the uncomfortable struggles that brought me to the blessed adventure of a Gorgo Girl.

Step out. Experience the uncomfortable and the amazing; the adventure. Just maintain a  safe social distance and flatten the curve till this adventure passes.

"Attitude is the difference between an Adventure and an ordeal"
- Bob Goff-Live in Grace Walk in Love

Mind of an Athlete

By Priscilla Tallman

I’m in the middle of a battle between my mind and my body.

I’ve struggled in this department before maybe in a more traditional sense where the mind is the one I’m trying to overcome. In the past it may have been finding every excuse to stay under the warm covers instead of waking up to hit the gym, or perhaps letting the rowing machine spin out the last several seconds instead of getting in a couple of last pulls.

Situations like these are things I might consider part of my “mental game,” areas where my mind wants to quit and, therefore, so does my body.

That battle is all too common, but this current conflict is different. This time, it’s my mind that won’t let me off the hook. My body is saying “not today” but my mind is saying “get up, let’s do this.” Now, I’m not necessarily complaining, the mind is a powerful thing and, so, this works mostly to my benefit. But when I signed up for the CrossFit Open three months after tearing my meniscus and only two weeks after being cleared to full-range squat, even my own body was like “you have got to be kidding me.”

My brain? It’s all “aw, come on. You can scale it.”

It’s less mind over matter and just a full dose of only the mind matters. And it’s an interesting time for me because as my body feels less and less capable, my mind is calling in the big guns to keep me moving regardless of the excuses my body is trying to feed me, and believe me, I’ve got a few.

Honestly, I blame it on years and years of playing sports and I call it “the mind of an athlete.”

Starting in elementary school, I played competitive sports through high school, college and beyond. I learned some valuable lessons and developed character traits that are often only found in athletes, like mental fortitude, the ability to push physically when everyone else has given up, the persistence it takes to master a skill or movement and many other valuable life skills that have carried me through more than one season (literally and figuratively).

But as I grew up and lived through the ups and downs of my journey, my athlete brain was also doing some undercover work. It was developing neural pathways and creating mental memories I could cash in on down the road and all through my life. It’s these habits and memories, I believe, that won’t let me off the hook in my current season.

See, while my body may not be fully capable of doing the things I want it to do, my brain has been forming habits all my life. Teaching me that not every workout or training session is backed by my 100% undying motivation, not every practice or lifting session is enjoyable, nor do they always produce the desired results I am hoping for and despite these things my brain still tells me to show up and do the work.

What I love best is that when my brain is in charge, my body doesn’t really have a choice. So, I can continue through life (and the aging process) walking around with a list of things that are broken or failing and I can keep that list in my pocket as a reminder of what I can’t do or what I’ve lost…

…Or…

Or I can glance over at the list and say, “Wow. I enjoyed those things to their fullest and now look at all the new things I can try, play, lift and do. Look how much I have left!”

Look how much I have left.

That’s a much better approach to life, to fitness, to relationships or any other thing I hope to accomplish with my time here on earth than the alternative of giving into my excuses.

For now, I’ll thank my many years as an athlete. I’ll thank my brain for developing AND remembering the neural pathways that tell me to move my body because it’s better for me in the long run than focusing on what I can’t do. I’ll thank my brain for the ability to recognize and differentiate between soreness (keep moving), exhaustion (restore and recover) and pain (rehab).

And though I have the body and athletic prowess of a giraffe, I’ll be thankful I have the mind of an athlete.

#GORGOgirl: Zina Breeding

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.

Meet Zina Breeding.

Tell us about yourself!

I retired from Department of Army Civil Service in June 2016 after 37 years at the age of 55. I worked as a warehouse work leader/forklift operator for the majority of those years. Blue collar work in warehouses doing shipping and receiving, operating a forklift, driving a 4 ton box truck (think large Lowes delivery truck), loading/unloading semis. Physical work. Now I babysit my two year old grandson 3 days a week and help out my mother, mother-in-law and 100 year old grandmother-in-law with running errands, driving them to appointments and whatever else they need help with. It keeps me busy!

I got married when I was 20 and have two children. Elizabeth is 34 and the mother of my adorable grandson Silas and my son Alex is 31. I got divorced after 29 years of marriage at the age of 49. My children blamed me for the divorce and pretty much had nothing to do with me for two years...divorce is hard on your kids no matter what age. But sometimes you have to do what is needed for you...for once in your life. I got remarried in 2013 to Keith and there is never a day that goes by that I don't know that I am loved and most of all appreciated.

Tell us about your fitness life!

I have worked out off and on for years. I've attended group fitness classes, did a stint of running and been a member of the gym that is home to Camp Gorgo (I was there when Val and Christie worked there when they were stationed at Fort Knox). When I was doing the group fitness classes (probably 2006/2007) I loved the Les Mills Body Pump classes and got great results from them. I started my latest fitness journey in November of 2018. I have a workout area in my basement now and workout from home. I would love to go back to the gym but for now this is what works for me. I love lifting weights and my body seems to respond pretty quickly to that type of workout. I've been following Val, Christie and Dani for several years and have been doing their Facebook challenges. I enjoy using weights and seeing the changes in my body...I love how it makes my arms and shoulders look. I also try to get in a couple of days of cardio using the elliptical although some days chasing after a two year old suffices!

Any hobbies or things you enjoy doing?

My husband and I are avid golfers. I had never picked up a golf club until I met my husband so I started very late (age 49) but I absolutely love it. It's something we enjoy doing together and I learn something new every time I play. We enjoy traveling and playing in couples scrambles. I also have a group of ladies that play and we enjoy traveling to different golf courses and playing in tournaments.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS YOU’RE WORKING TOWARD?

My goals are pretty simple...be healthy, happy, physically active, stronger and maintain a healthy weight. I want to be proud of how I look and feel at age 60. I want to be ok with aging because I don't like the alternative.

Any struggles?

I struggle with feelings of guilt. My husband suffers from spinal stenosis and his physical activity is limited. I feel guilty spending time away from him doing things that he can no longer physically do. In 2016 my Dad spent 22 days in the hospital. My Mom and I took turns staying with him day and night. He came home from the hospital and three hours later my mother suffered a stroke. The decision to put him in Hospice care was made while I was at work that day without my knowledge and I was upset. We talked and while I was hugging her and telling her I loved her she had the stroke. In my mind, I had caused her to have a stroke because she was upset that I was upset. Daddy ended up back in the hospital after only being home 3 days and my Mom ended up in the rehabilitation center across the street. I ran back and forth between them until Daddy died 9 days later. My heart was broken and I was mentally and physically exhausted. And I felt guilty because I hadn't kept him alive long enough for them to be together again. My mother's stroke and my Dad's death were neither one my fault but you couldn't convince me of that. It's been almost 4 years and I'm still struggling to even write this. I feel guilty about spending time on my self, doing what I want to do, when there's so much I could be doing for the others I help take care of. I worry too much about what others think instead of doing what makes me happy. I struggle with depression at times and exercise has always helped me to keep that under control. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy so I am working on granting myself more grace and focusing more on what makes my heart happy.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE GORGO COMMUNITY?

The GORGO community has given me the opportunity to make new friends and to learn that I'm not alone in my feelings and struggles.

I worked for 37 years in a male-oriented job so I don't have a lot of female friends. I love that the women are strong and encouraging instead of tearing each other down. If you're struggling, they are there to pick you up, dust you off and help you to get back on your way.

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience? Fav part? What made you want to attend?

In 2018, I began my journey to lose some weight and to start working out again. When they advertised the dates for Camp GORGO 2019, I noticed that my 59th birthday would fall on that Saturday. I live in Elizabethtown where the camp is held,

I'd lost 35 pounds, was working out again and it was my birthday...how could I not go?! So I signed up and attended the camp. I didn't know anyone. I knew I was not going to be in as good of shape as most and probably older that anyone else that was there but I stepped out of my box and went. Not going to lie, it was intimidating to walk into a room full of women. But that passed quickly. There were women there of all shapes, sizes, ages and athletic abilities. And they were all smiling and friendly and helpful. During the breakout sessions, I learned that these young women were struggling with the same things I struggled with at their age: self doubt, feelings of not being enough, trying to balance career/motherhood/being a wife, trying to look a certain way, stress, depression.

I don't know why I was surprised...I still suffer from some of the same things even at 59. It was very eye-opening to hear what had led all of us here. The Saturday morning games were a blast (I know they were for fun but there was some pretty fierce competition going on!) and it was fun to see everyone dressed up in their costumes. The afternoon sessions at the gym were very informative and a chance to try something new or learn how to improve what you were already doing. And again, it was great to see everyone encouraging and helping each other. And getting to dress up on Saturday night and spend a night with your new friends was awesome! I can't wait to go back this year!

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

Life is short. The older you get, the better you understand that. It's sad that we spend so much of our lives stressing over things that in the grand scheme of things don't matter. Even though it's hard, take time to care for yourself.

Do what makes you happy and spend your time with the ones that make your heart full.

#GORGOgirl: Amy Day

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.

Meet Amy Day.

Tell us about yourself!

I have been a registered nurse for 22 years. I started my nursing career very young. I graduated from nursing school at age 20.  I have worked in different areas of nursing including Med-Surg, Family Practice, worked for a bariatric surgeon-which is very ironic as I write this, spent 15 years in the peri-operative department, and just recently (in Oct 2019) took a huge leap of faith and stepped away from bedside nursing and am currently working in the IT department of the University of Kentucky as an Electronic Health Record Curriculum Designer for the Anesthesia application. I now use my years of nursing experience to help develop a training curriculum and train nurses and operating room staff to use our new electronic health record system. I am also a Group Fitness Instructor at Amy Evert Fitness. I teach classes 4-5 days a week. If you would have told me 2 years ago that I would be teaching fitness class I would have laughed at you.  ME? NO WAY! It has turned into a true passion.  

I am a single mother, divorced for the last 10 years.  I have an amazing 15-year-old daughter, Emily. Emily is active in chorus, drama, piano, archery, holds a part-time job on the weekends and puts 100% into her school work. Needless to say, she keeps me very busy. My daughter has been a blessing to me in so many ways. She is more supportive of my new lifestyle than anyone else in my life. She is always patient and understanding when I am not home and teaching group fitness classes in the evening. She is always willing to eat healthy meals with me and actually enjoys most of them. My divorce left me very scarred emotionally.  It affected my self esteem in ways I wasn't prepared for. There were many times I didn't feel worthy of loving myself, so I threw all I had into taking care of others and neglecting the most important person-MYSELF.  

Tell us about your fitness life.

I was fairly active as a teenager. I played softball in the summers and loved it. At the age of 16, I got my first job at McDonald's.  I quickly started gaining weight from eating meals there everyday that I worked. I got married at the age of 24. I was overweight but always told myself I was going to lose weight and start living a healthier lifestyle. But we all know how that works, we plan to start tomorrow and tomorrow comes and goes quickly. As the years went on, I gained and lost weight but never sustained the weight loss. After my divorce, my weight ballooned to 265 pounds. I was absolutely miserable with myself. My joints hurt, I had reflux, high blood pressure, was exhausted all the time and this of course affected my self esteem. My mother passed away suddenly in 2018. This was a real wake up call for me. I realized that if something happened to me, that would leave my daughter without a mother to care for her. 

So in March of 2018, I began my weight loss journey. I started with Weight Watchers and lost 40 pounds. Then, a friend of mine who was also working towards losing weight, invited me to workout with her at Amy Evert Fitness (Amy Evert is also a Gorgo girl). I was terrified. We went to a Tabata class that first day. I struggled, but made it thru the class. I was so mad at myself that I had to struggle that hard during class. I made up my mind that day that I was going to come back and get stronger each day. I have been working with Amy Evert ever since then and have lost over 100 pounds. I am off all my medications, down from a size 20 to a size 8. Stronger than I ever thought I could be. Through Amy Evert’s encouragement, actually became a group fitness instructor and I teach classes at her studio.  Who would have ever imagined this is where I would be today!  

What is your preferred style of training?

I prefer strength training over cardio. I do believe cardio is extremely important for our cardio vascular health and I have to force myself to do it a couple times a week. Gaining the physical strength I have over the last year from strength training has given me a sense of empowerment and confidence that I never thought I would find in myself. I enjoy setting new goals and working towards meeting them. I really enjoy the group fitness classes at Amy Evert Fitness. I have made many friends and learned so much from everyone there. Group fitness seemed so intimidating to me in the beginning. I was worried I would be judged or made fun of. But it is the completed opposite. We have formed bonds with each other that are like no other.  We are always supporting and uplifting and encouraging each other.  

Any hobbies or things you enjoy doing?

I like to make all sorts of crafts and bake and sell cakes on the side. I enjoy walking my dogs and working in the yard in the summer. My daughter and I enjoy going to musicals and plays when we get the chance.  

Do you have any goals you’re working toward?

My goals for this year are to continue on my weight loss journey. (Does it really ever end?) 
I want to continue to learn more about proper nutrition and obtain more nutrition certifications and possibly work towards completing my Personal Trainer Certification and help to inspire and to teach others.  

Any struggles?

My biggest struggle in life is putting myself first. I don't always manage my time so that my needs are met. I am learning though that if I don't put myself first, no one else will.   

Fav Quote that inspires you right now in your life? Why?

"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start getting excited about what could go right"-Tony Robbins

Fear keeps us from doing so many things in life. We are always afraid of failure, and we let that stand in the way of possible successes. Think of how amazing life would be if we tried new things and succeeded more often. I let fear hold me back for many years in different aspects of my life. I am not afraid to try new things now. I have learned there are no failures in life, just lessons learned. 

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

You ARE worth it.  Whatever "it" is.  You don't have to be perfect, just willing to learn from your past experiences and make positive changes based those experiences. Always make time for yourself and what is important to you.  

What do you love most about the GORGO community?

I loved how empowering the Gorgo community is. You feel loved, supported, and encouraged from everyone you meet.  There are few things in life that can bring people together on this type of level.  

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience?

Last year was my first year at Camp Gorgo. My trainer Amy Evert invited myself and other ladies she trains. I was extremely nervous. I was worried I wouldn't fit in, wouldn't be as physically fit as others, and that I would be too nervous to enjoy camp. We had an amazing weekend learning about each other as well as ourselves. I loved all the different classes, especially Strong Woman class where I got to pull a truck!  Hearing everyone's personal story and connecting with them on those personal levels made me realize we are all the same, just in different times in our journey of life.  

#GORGOgirl: Angie Ecton

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.

Meet Angie Ecton.

Tell us about yourself!

I have been married to the love of my life, Kent, for almost 31 years. We have three beautiful children and two granddaughters.  Interestingly enough, our kids are 34, 29, and 12 and our grandchildren are 14 and almost 3. I live in Brady, Texas with my husband, youngest son, and our Boston Terror… I mean, Terrier, Rev. (hahaha)

I am a High School Mathematics Teacher. I didn’t earn my mathematics degree until I was in my late 30s-early 40s. Currently, I am in graduate school and will graduate in May with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. I will be 54 years old on February 12; “Queen for a week, enjoying birthday afterglow in the following days,” as my mother used to say.

Tell us about your fitness life.

Let me just say that sometimes my fitness life is more like a circus. I am married to a coach (#coachwifelife), have a 6th grader at home (#middleschoolboymom), am very close to my older children and grandchildren (#thefiftiesareawesome), teach full-time (#teacherlife), and am a graduate student (#nevergiveup). Fitness is my “me time,” the thing I do for myself.  I LOVE yoga and hope to increase my practice and become a certified instructor. I also love group classes and I have finally found a gym in my new hometown (we moved to Brady in June 2019). In addition to all this, I will again be training for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day this year. I took last year off and missed it so much!

I have recently begun working out in the mornings. I attend two group classes a week, try to practice yoga at 2-3 times a week and fill in the rest when I can make time.

What are your hobbies?

My favorite things are dates with my husband, family time, hiking, movies, and reading.

Any goals you’re working toward or have in mind for the future?

I want to get that girl back that had a fire in her before my husband and I started chasing coaching in 2016. Moving around a lot has made me yearn to find a home base to stay for a while. Settling in Brady has given me a new vision that starts with finishing graduate school and challenging myself to be physically active and pursue a healthy life for myself and my family.

Any struggles?

When my mother got sick (congestive heart failure) and passed away 14 months later, in October 2015, I saw what could happen if I didn’t start paying attention and taking care of my health. Since then, I have struggled to find a balance between family, work, and taking care of me as we moved from school to school chasing coaching. Even at 53 years old, I am still learning that it is okay and, in fact, better for everyone involved if I pay attention to what both my body and mind need. As the woman of the house, I know that I can’t take care of anyone else if I don’t take care of me first. And yet, I still find at times that I am doing just that. Don’t get me wrong, I have done ever so much better these last few years and I love my family. I’m a work in progress and probably always will be.

Favorite quote that inspires you right now in your life?

“Underestimate me. That’ll be fun.”
My life is, honestly, very chaotic. Yet, I have managed to stay married for over 30 years, raise three amazing children, and will have earned two degrees after the age of 40 by May of this year. My question now is, what’s next? I’m sure someone will challenge me soon…

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

If I could share one message, I would say this, don’t quit. Don’t ever quit. When you feel alone, call a friend (queen).  When you struggle, get back up. When you fail, try again. Your only competition is the face you see in the mirror. Get up and show up. Stoke that fire. Be present. Life is real and hard and oh, so worth it!

What do you love most about the GORGO community?

I love all of the QUEENS in my life! Some of them were already there before camp and some of them are new sisters that I met at camp. The best thing is that, no matter what I’ve gone through, there is a woman out there who has had that same experience. They are willing to share and support me and each other if I just learn to ask for help.  I am accepted as I am and encouraged to be myself, flaws and all.

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience? 

Camp GORGO was one of the most life-changing and exhilarating experiences I have ever had. I cannot wait to go again!  I think my favorite part was just connecting with other strong women. It is an indescribable experience. I wanted to attend because I saw the changes it rendered in my friend, Morgan Green’s life. She invited me and, although I was anxious, I went and I don’t regret it one bit! 

Learning that my vulnerability and flaws are strengths, not weaknesses, has empowered me with the courage to continue my journey in search of health and peace.

#GORGOgirl: Stephanie Tell

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.

Meet Stephanie Tell.

Tell us about yourself!

I am a visual/backoffice associate at my favorite store…Athleta! Born and raised in NJ!  Hubby and I are planning on selling our house in northern NJ this Spring and getting an apartment in NYC for the next 5 years or so.  We have a beach house at the Jersey Shore that we are going to keep  (that’s where I grew up) so I still get visit my home state very often. My husband and I met when he was 17 and I was 18, this year will be our 25th wedding anniversary.  We have two boys that go to college in Boulder, CO…one is a sophomore and one is a freshman.  It’s hard to have them so far away but at least they have each other.  

Tell us about your fitness life. 

Right now, I am doing Val’s Gals with Val Solomon and I am loving the program so much!  It is 3 days of strength and then added bonus of whatever we want to do.  It’s been a while since I did dedicated strength training workouts and I totally forgot how much I love it!  I am having a ball rediscovering my passion for it and my strength!  I love checking in with the gals from the group and gathering more strength and determination from them.  Other days, I attend Bar Method classes, which I truly love!  It is SO very different from anything else I do, or have ever done and it is so challenging.  In the classes we use muscles that I didn’t even know I had! When I am at our beach house, there is an amazing studio that I go too.  Their focus is more on cardio…truly amazing spin and cardio barre classes.  They truly kick my butt!!!!!  I am not a cardio junkie at all…but those classes I adore and wish I could do them more often.  

Do you have Any hobbies?

My favorite one is traveling with my family!  We’ve gone on many wonderful vacations..and on those we’ve mountain biked, went rock climbing and repelling, white water rafting, ice climbing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, ATVing, etc.  We LOVE active vacations!!!

Any Struggles:  

My struggles are that I love to eat and I love my cocktails! Thank goodness I love to workout…otherwise, I’d be in a whole head of trouble. One of my goals is to cut back on my cocktails because I know the alcohol is affecting my progress. It’s so nice at the end of the day to chill with a couple of glasses of wine, or a cosmo, or maybe a glass of wine and a cosmo!  I know I need to cut back…its just a matter of doing it.  

Fav Quote that inspires you right now in your life?

“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.” - The Wizard of Oz.  

This one resonates with me because I have always had the power.  I forget every now and then and have to be reminded…honestly, the GORGO community totally reminds me of who I am and who I have the power to be!  

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?  

Make time for yourself. It is not selfish. Whether it’s working out, attending Camp GORGO, having lunch with your girlfriend, meditating, sewing, reading… whatever! Self-care is SO important! There is always something else that we could be doing…because we women do it all! LOL!  It is imperative that we make ourselves a priority. It is so important for our mental and physical health.  

What do you love most about the GORGO community?  

The camaraderie is amazing! The GORGO community is such a safe place for us to share very personal things. There is no judgment. There is understanding, advice, virtual hugs, and kisses, shared tears, etc. It’s such an empowering community!  

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience?

I had been wanting to go for the last few years but honestly didn’t have the courage. I used the age of my kids as an excuse… I couldn’t possibly leave them!  Well, I didn’t let that excuse fly this past summer…my boys were 19 and 18 and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves for a long weekend. In fact, they were rather overjoyed when I told them they’d have the beach house to themselves! I wanted to attend because I’ve “known” Val, Christie and Dani for years through social media. I had purchased all of Val’s online workout programs and really loved them!

I was definitely intimidated and wasn’t sure if I’d fit in at camp at all. I thought everyone would be so much more fit than I was and they’d all look down their noses at me. I couldn’t have been more wrong! There were all different ages, shapes, sizes, abilities, etc and it was such an amazingly inspiring weekend!  It was so much more than a “fitness” camp, it was very spiritual and I did a whole lot of soul searching that weekend. I had really awesome workouts, and a blast at field day… but the best times when we just sat in small groups and talked. We laughed, we cried, we shared… I let other ladies “in” and I don’t do that very often.  

I re-learned that weekend that I am a strong mentally and physically, that I have a right to love myself and to treat myself kindly.  It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that way!  I can’t wait to go back next year…I won’t be a newbie, won’t be so nervous and will hopefully be able to make newbies feel welcome and accepted like the Queens did for me last year.  

Leah Brouwers: The Power of Failure

By Jill Farr

35 year old mom of two Leah Brouwers has a history of starting things young, and sticking with them.

Now a managing partner in her dad’s investment financial services firm, Leah began working at the company during her first year of university, and went full time in her second, working during the day and attending classes at night to finish her degree.

“We help people retire,” Leah explains. “It’s a goal-oriented pursuit. You could say it’s similar to fitness, in a way.”

Leah’s fitness pursuit of choice--rock climbing--was also something that came into her life early, and made a lasting impact.

“The first chapter of my fitness life was just being active as a kid,” Leah says. “At about 16 I fell in love with rock climbing. My brother took me to a rock climbing gym and I absolutely loved it. I think it kept me out of a lot of the trouble that girls can get into as teenagers.”

“I met my husband rock climbing, we’ve traveled the world doing it...it’s something I loved and trained for, but it didn’t help me understand fitness in general.”

Leah’s love for rock climbing was temporarily sidelined by another big life event...motherhood.

“I thought I knew the meaning of perseverance and hard work prior to children,” Leah says. “I thought I understood what sacrifice was, what self-discipline was...I felt like I was always moving forward, life was good, and I had it on lock.”

“My husband and I were travelling the world rock climbing and enjoying time together – I wanted for nothing. We decided early on that we wanted to have children, and agreed to take the plunge.” 

“We were fortunate to get pregnant quickly. I had this ignorant view that since I was really healthy and strong this was going to be a breeze. I miscarried.” 

“I spun it in the most positive way I could, went on a climbing trip and tried to move on quickly.  What a mistake. I played the ‘I’m okay’ card and didn’t sit in my emotions long enough to heal –I stapled up my wound and tried again. Within a couple of months, I was pregnant with my first son Elijah and announced it to my hubby on Christmas morning –an awesome memory.”

“I subscribed to an app that gave me several workouts for pregnant women and it was supposed to take me through my pregnancy. I had no idea; the next 8 months were about to be a marathon that I hadn’t trained for.”

“I have suffered from chronic migraines since I was 13, but they went to another level while pregnant. No intense movement allowed, a walk, anything; it all brought pain. I refused to medicate for fear of repercussions so I would spend 8 hours in a chair in a dark room waiting for it to be over. It was lonely, painful, and exhausting. Time in the office was choppy and my team was nothing short of incredible in supporting me through my pregnancies. I work with my father and he rescued me more times than I can count. (My mom, too.)”

“To me, regardless of actual reality, I felt that I had failed. Cue labour. We all have our experiences, they say the joys of meeting your baby essentially ‘wipe-out’ any traumas of childbirth, but I can bring myself right back to the delivery room and it wasn’t rainbows and unicorns.  Meeting my son Elijah was incredible and amazing, let’s not confuse the two...but why we are expected to pretend and/or forget?”

 “Now the pregnancy was over and I was excited for healing, going back to being active, and getting on with it. Fail #4! Nothing came naturally to me. I had done all the reading, the listening, the choosing of the best approach and nothing seemed to click. I was a complete zombie and unhappy mama. Time allowed me to heal quite a bit, but not without a ton of work. I thought I had brought myself through the fire when I started to feel like myself again. I hooked up with an online trainer 4 months post-partum and began to stitch my mind and body back together. And I did – I didn’t know at the time but it was just the warm up for round two.”  

“At just over 1 year postpartum I became pregnant with my second son, Asher. I knew I was pregnant by the return of the horrible migraines and thought; here we go again.”

“If the first pregnancy felt like a marathon, the second one was the Ultimate Ironman.”

 “3 days on, 4 days off on repeat for 9 months. Many women have their struggles, this was mine. I spent so much time in a dark room. My coping mechanism was to pray for others; to try and take the focus off my struggle and to apply this time to something better. It didn’t always work, I often cried, I sat there sad, but I’m convinced that it saved a whole lot of me that I needed for later. Major changes were occurring in our office – new location, new vision and growth were happening and to this day I do not know how we managed to make it all happen.”

“I am abundantly blessed; with the arrival of Asher we had two healthy boys. Done and done.” 

“Unfortunately, my woes with feeding were repeated, personal and outer pressures of ‘breast-milk only’ were pushed even though my little guy proved to just not be a candidate; I was beginning to fall apart. No sleep. No rest. No healing. I was completely stuck.”

“I usually have an incredibly positive attitude, it’s something that I really like about myself; I do not sit in the negative too long, I just refuse. There is way too much good in the world. But at that point in time, I felt completely defeated. I had never felt like I was in a place of purgatory before; this was new.”

Leah credits an intervention by her perceptive doctor with turning this dark time around.

 “After a regular check-up with little Asher, I got a call from my doctors office to book me in, just me. Just me? Okay. My doctor sat me down and we just chatted.  She said “Leah, I’d like to chat a bit about postpartum depression, I’ve been watching you carefully and the Leah I have known since you were 14 is not the Leah that is sitting next to me. Let’s talk about how you are feeling, and what we are going to do about it.””

 “I thought…”Huh? Me and postpartum depression do not belong in the same sentence, you’ve got the wrong mama, I’ll be fine.” Failure #5.  We chatted about feeding and my incessant need to find the answers to my failing breastmilk and many other things. She then whispered something so wise, that so spoke deeply to me that I refer to it often… “Leah there is nothing natural about an unhappy mama, how can you possibly give Asher and Eli what they truly need from their mother if you do not heal yourself?” She was so right, on every level. It would take me a long time to unpack it all but this was my lowest moment and I needed to choose what to do.”

The savvy doc didn’t stop there, Leah relates.  

“She wrote me a script for 3 nights’ sleep without Asher. I needed to press pause. My doctor’s intervention on behalf of my well-being was the mental game changer; the actual full nights’ rest was secondary.”

“Coming to grips with it was hard but I now know that it has served me well, and I can look back and revel in the personal growth, the new woman I am to my children, to my husband, in my office and most importantly to me. I often think about what made the difference in my journey back to feeling in control again.”

Leah’s gratitude is reflected in her attitude.

“So, this chapter of my fitness life  is about having a much better appreciation of what it means to be fit. I was strong before, but now...I’m really damn strong. Training for climbing in the early 2000s looked a lot different--now people lift and cross train, but back then it wasn’t like that. There used to be negativity about lifting with climbers because of a (mistaken) idea that lifting will bulk you and make it harder to lift yourself. I mean, a bulked up lifter might struggle, but now we understand that strength is strength.”

Leah considers fitness imperative, not simply something that’s optional.

“Fitness for me is a lifestyle. Awareness of how you’re thinking, how you’re eating...not just fixing your muscles but your gut, and other areas. I suffer from migraines and a lot of my journey is just taking care of my body, my temple.”

“The job that I do, it’s focused on data, on numbers, and your mind just functions in a certain way, so I track lots of stuff. So, I know that as soon as I stop moving my body, my migraines flare up. It might be due to stress, which can cause me to stop being as active, but my physical body is saying, “Help”...everything goes off the rails when my activity level is low. When I exercise, everything  works better. I sleep better...it’s like nutrition and sleep and activity are all holding hands.”

Armed with an understanding of the importance of good nutrition and exercise for her physical health, and a knowledge of how positively it also impacts her favorite pursuit, Leah chooses activity that enhances both.

“My workout schedule now includes HIIT style workouts or lifting, and doing climbing specific workouts, using a hangboard.”

If Sisters in Shape helped Leah develop  a consciousness about fitness, Leah credits GORGO with assisting her in realizing the power of other women as her tribe. “Being in a male dominated industry--although we have lots of women in our office--you don’t realize how much you’re missing until you submerge yourself with a group of women from diverse backgrounds,” Leah says.

“It’s amazing to realize that these women are there to support you, in your pursuits. My attitude towards women in general was changed by attending the GORGO camps. I had past hurts that probably shouldn’t have defined my thinking about other women, but they had--the GORGO women changed my outlook. It’s sad to say that I had negative views about women, but I did.”

Leah believes that finding the company of good women is magical, and something she encourages.

“You get to be a better version of yourself because other women are like you, but different. Especially If you get to be with good, solid women who will call you out when you need it, it’s amazing. It’s been a blessing. I have my close girlfriends, but GORGO showed me a wider view.”

Leah has had rousing success in the business world, and was fortunate to find a fitness niche she loved relatively early, but something that caught her by surprise was her difficulty in dealing with another major life area...motherhood.

“My challenge was fitting into motherhood,” Leah admits. “I’ve done so many other things, I have so many accomplishments, but becoming a mom was the biggest struggle. It was tough on me. I thought I would kill it, but pregnancy is tough. Becoming a mom is tough. I have two awesome boys, 4 and 2. Elijah and Asher, and I’m so grateful for them, but it really did challenge me.”

As she’s adjusted to becoming a mom, Leah has realized that her GORGO girl power is a two-edged sword; positivity and endurance.

“What sets me apart is that I’m not a quitter and I love being positive,” Leah says. “That’s my emotional home--I look for the positive spin. So, motherhood has been a struggle, but I believe I’m better now because of it.”

“When you start working in a financial services company at the age of 21, you feel small. There have been a lot of times where clients have suggested I’m too young, too female...and instead of backing down, I thought, “Wow. Okay, I understand why you’re nervous, but I’m going to show you why you don’t need to be.” 

Although Leah doesn’t give up, she doesn’t equate that with never accepting failure, in fact...she espouses the opposite. Using it.

Just as “failure” has a purpose in workout routines, Leah believes it also serves us in other areas of life.

“My piece of advice is that we all fail,” Leah says. “Get used to it, use it to fuel your flame, not extinguish it. Most of the time I’m good with failure and I think it of it as a stepping stone. Now I know what I’m made of--I’m okay with getting slapped around a little, with sweating, with searching out what I need to do to improve. It’s a painful process, but be okay with failure. Just get back up..”

“Everyone fails. The people you see on Instagram with the filtered lives...they’re failing too. All of the GORGO women you see, they’re inspiring, but they’ll tell you that they’ve had failures. But they’re failing and improving, failing and improving.”

“Your pursuits should be filled with so much growth that you’re renewing every year. There’s this negative connotation when someone said, “Wow, you’ve changed.” But when someone says that to me, I just say, “Thank you!”

“Be okay with failure. It can be a good thing.”

Lessons from Leah:

• The right moment to make change in your life is now.  I could have thought – things will get better once my children get older, I’ll figure it out then. Trade beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and happiness for your heavy heart. It’s a choice, not a life sentence. 

• Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgiveness is not about them, it’s about you. Most importantly – forgive yourself, you are going to mess up, fail, make all the wrong choices.  We all do. Promise to learn and do better, forgive and move forward.

• Stop blaming others for your current state. You are the keeper of your own life. 

• Stop caring about what others think.  This is your life, not theirs. Period.  Be okay with others not understanding your choices. You have not chosen to have a mediocre life. 

• Make goals! Create a vision for your life (personal, professional, health, mamahood, relationships), and hold yourself accountable.  I read an awesome concept once that a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence is directly related to dishonouring yourself; if your word doesn’t matter, you don’t matter. Honour yourself first and see what happens.  There is no ending to the pursuit, the magic happens in the journey, and there are things being prepared for you in the distance, you won’t get there by standing still.

• Be mindful of your inputs. Friends, family, social inputs, health, etc… you are who you surround yourself with.

• Be willing to ask for help and show your struggle.  I had to learn this the hard way. If it wasn’t for my safety net of support, I’d be dead in the water.

• Sweating is good. Going through hard stuff is necessary for progression.  Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (this is a great insight from Rachel Hollis).

• Read! I have opened myself to a lot of personal growth books (a new approach for me), trying to gain perspective, to learn and grow. 

• BE grateful.  BE kind. BE positive. You will have ebbs and flows, mountains and valleys – if you train yourself to see the good on the regular, you will have a better chance for survival when things get tough, you will have more tools to use in times of trouble.  Give others the benefit of the doubt, stop judging, everyone has crosses to bear, we know so little about their story, be kind and pull only the good (leave the stuff you don’t understand). 

“I am so grateful for my life and those in it; I am just getting started and I cannot wait for more.” 

#GORGOgirl: Tiffany Sylvester

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Tiffany Sylvester.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!

I am a 37 year old single mom raising four boys all by myself, whose ages range from 14-3. I was born in KY but raised in Maryland and currently reside in Annapolis, Md. I have always had a passion for making people look and feel their best. So 17 years ago I decided to become a hairstylist. For the past 8 years I have owned Frederick David Salon in Severna Park, MD with one of my best friends, Geri.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FITNESS LIFE!

I have definitely been a lover of fitness my whole life. I am a firm believer in the mind/body/spirit connection. Fitness for me is a big part of not only my physical health, but mental and emotional health, as well. It’s become a fantastic coping mechanism to healthfully handle all the stress in my life. As the saying goes, “strong body, strong mind.” Crossfit is my new love in life! Like, I love love it!!!

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC GOALS YOU’RE WORKING ON?

My goals are simple, to be the best mother, friend, and person I can be. To live a full life with a tremendous amount of peace and happiness. To wake up every morning and make the conscious decision to be better and do better than the day before. Never make the same mistake twice. Live authentically and transparently with everything I do. Finally, to honor myself and my journey. Sometimes I think it’s really easy to forget about the source that holds it all together—me. I am good to no one if I am not good to myself first and foremost.

Any Struggles?

My struggles are having too high of expectations in others to be decent and respectful humans. It’s very hard for me to understand why people can’t act with integrity and character in all they do in life.

I love the quote: Don’t talk, act. Don’t say, show. Don’t promise, prove.

DO YOU HAVE ANY MESSAGE YOU FEEL CALLED TO SHARE ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE AT IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW TO ENCOURAGE OTHER GORGO GIRLS?

My message goes along with another quote I love: She needed a hero, so that’s what she became.

It’s really hard being everything to everyone all the time. I wanted so desperately for the right people to step up and do what they were supposed to do. Or if I were really lucky Superman would come along to lift me up and take me anywhere—show me the love I desperately longed for—and save me before it was too late. But the reality is, no man, woman, or superhero will ever do that for me or any of us. It has been me all along that possesses everything I have always needed to be my own hero, I just couldn’t see it—or didn’t want to. But now I do and that is one of the most beautiful lessons I have learned in recent months.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE GORGO COMMUNITY?

What I love most about the GORGO community is how much love and acceptance the entire community emanates. Everyone wants to see everyone else persevere and achieve their hearts desires. In today’s world where most attempt to tear another down in order to lift themselves up, this community does just the opposite. They all attempt to lift one another up to the highest level. They share the belief that life becomes limitless when one becomes fearless. With women like this by my side, it is a lot easier to let go of the fear and limiting beliefs. For that, I am eternally grateful.

CAMP GORGO: THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE? FAV PART? WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO ATTEND?

*CAMP GORGO was one of the most phenomenal experiences I have been blessed to be a part of. I knew no one; however, didn’t feel as though I met a single stranger. Everyone was so warm, loving, and welcoming plus beautiful! My favorite part was getting to know all these beautiful and inspiring women that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to encounter in my day to day life—all in one place—sharing a common goal of betterment of ourselves and others. I wanted to attend because I have never done anything like it before and was excited to experience something new that was totally outside my comfort zone.

Gym BFFs

by Katy L.

When I was young, I played on lots of sports teams. I was surrounded by girls who loved to sweat, eat, and spend way too much time together, so it came as no surprise that I grew up and became a Phys Ed teacher, trainer, and yoga instructor. As I matured (somewhat) and began replacing sports with fitness, I had a harder time finding those like-minded girls who loved to sweat. Apparently, not everyone's idea of having a good time involves getting the shit kicked out of them. I was confused. Didn't everyone think squatting to failure was fun? Who doesn't love comparing sweat stains and smelling each other's armpits? Wasn't running past the point of nausea everyone's favourite pastime? 

It will come as no surprise that I don't have many gym friends. Some would argue I don't have many friends in general, but I digress. I remember how often I'd tell people that I wanted a workout buddy. I wanted someone to hang out with at the gym instead of the 20-year old receptionist at the front desk who felt obligated to laugh at my horrible jokes. The other personal trainers were crazy jacked and only talked about protein powder, and the other yogis would just laugh at (not with) me when I tried to speak vegan. Really, I'd tell anyone in hopes that someone would take me up on it. The guy on the subway, a server, my taxi driver, my mom...

I got lucky when I finally met my gym BFF at age 30. Number one, she didn't run in the other direction when I called her my gym BFF after knowing her for one day. We started out as running buddies, and after only a few runs in, I discovered I was pregnant. I was terrified of losing my only gym friend, but didn't want to tell anybody I was expecting just yet. Our next run together, I swear I nearly died. I was beet red, drenched with sweat and panting while trying to keep up to our regular pace. My gym BFF was supportive and caring about my disgusting exterior and inability to run more than 100 meters. While on a walk break, she confided in me that she was pregnant! I jumped for joy (and believe I wet myself) and exclaimed that I was, too! We were at the exact same point in our lives, and both enjoyed active pregnancies by continuing to run, strength train (she would come to my fitness classes... Unforced!) and by taking prenatal yoga.

I won't lie, having a workout BFF made me up my game. I'm competitive in nature, so it helped having someone push me harder than I would push myself. She wanted me to do three sets of stairs, I'd do five, then pretend to take a drink while gasping for air. We liked coming up with new workouts for each other, whether we were tandem on the treadmill or supersetting. I'd try to impress her by sprinting a little faster or lifting a little heavier, all while trying to keep my sweat to a glow and not let out a fart.

My workout partner kept me accountable. Knowing she was going to be meeting me at the gym or on the trail forced me to keep driving even when my senses smelled McDonald's fries, and helped me get my ass off the couch even if the Bachelor was on. My workouts became so much more enjoyable!  I had a partner in crime to carry out some of my favorite hobbies: bitch about people, rate the guys at the gym, and people watch.

I don't know about you, but I'd think about my workout BFF when I picked my gym outfit. "Awe, man- Emily is soooo going to notice how small my gunt looks in these compression tights!" "Haha, Emily doesn't need an XS sports bra to hold up her non-existent boobs!" "I wonder what Emily will think of my lashes in this waterproof mascara?" "I'll just use a little bronzer to make it look like I woke up like this."

Emily has since moved away (reading this, it makes perfect sense) and I am left without a gym BFF. We talk a ton, still share workouts and have signed up for a half marathon together. I'm not sure she is replaceable, but I have hopes that I can find another gym BFF.

It just may take me another 30 years.

#GORGOgirl: Teri Richardson

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Teri Richardson.

Tell us about yourself!

I own and operate a Garbage disposal business in Texas with my husband of 16 years, Jack. Due to endometriosis I am unable to have children. However, I am a mom to several furr babies!

Tell us about your fitness life.

The majority of my fitness comes from my job which is hard manual labor almost 16 hours a day, 6 days a week.

Do you have any specific goals you’re working on?

My personal goals are to make more time for myself and those I love. My professional goals are to continue building a strong, trustworthy business. A business to be proud of and that allows us to continue to give back to the communities in which we provide service.

Any Struggles?

My largest personal struggle is that I need to learn to stop buying people's love and friendship. My largest business struggle would be to learn to accept the fact that I can not please everyone and not everyone is worthy of my time and effort.

Fav Quote that inspires you right now in your life?

"Let them sleep while you grind. Let them party while you work. The difference will show."

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

In the past I battled some depression. I felt I wasn't good enough. I let toxic people and their opinions of me dictate the way I felt about myself. I am very grateful for God and my husband and the unconditional love they have shown me. No matter the situation or the stress you're under, don't ever let temporary feelings lead you to making a permanent decision. Reach out. If you're someone who doesn't struggle with or understand depression, be a friend and really listen to those who may be reaching out. Today, I find myself stronger and more motivated than ever. I work hard doing a job that most people aren't capable of doing and that is considered the 5th most dangerous job in the United States. Being a garbage collector is an underestimated, under-appreciated, thankless job - and a deadly one. In 2017 there were 132 recorded fatalities. It is a labor intensive, nasty and disease-ridden job but is an absolute necessity for our communities and environment. Women only make up 1% of the workers in this industry. Being such an asset to what is considered a man's industry is very empowering. You can do anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself. Dig deep. Take control of your power. Dust off your crown and make things happen.

What do you love most about the GORGO community?

I love the FACT that you become part of a tribe. You meet and bond with women from all different walks of life, all religious beliefs and different political beliefs. This is a loving group of non-judgmental strong beautiful women.

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience? Fav part? What made you want to attend?

I originally started following Christie Nix and her journey which led me to following Gorgo. Every year I've always watched the camp come and go with hopes to one day attend. After the 2019 New Year I jumped in on the early bird registration. I knew if I went ahead and paid for it, I would have to do it. I met some absolutely amazing women who brought me out of the shell that I had buried myself in and because of them I sang again for the first time in years. I look forward to a lifelong friendship with these amazing women. The Gorgo workshops were not only informative but motivational. I was pushed but not to the point of feeling defeated. In the last 3 years, I have maybe had 3 weekends off. I'm so happy Camp Gorgo was one of those!

#GORGOgirl: Jennifer Hawley

 We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Jennifer Hawley.

Tell us about yourself!

I’ve been an Ultrasound Technologist for 20 years. My husband Scott and I have been married for 23 years and have 2 boys: Nathan (age 17) and Zach (age 14).

Tell us about your fitness life.

I’m at the gym by 5 am to either teach a group training class or participate in one, everyday.  My favorite style of training includes group training, lifting heavy things, and metabolic conditioning.

What are your goals?

My goal is to inspire other women to have positive body image, be active and strong.

Do you have any struggles?

I struggle with hypothyroidism and premature menopause, resulting in major hormonal imbalances.  Managing stress and fatigue, body image. I work hard to manage stress by continuing a fitness schedule, making sure to get enough seep and proper nutrition. Body image is a bit rougher, but focusing on the things I am great at and the strength and power I have helps.

Fav Quote that inspires you right now in your life?

“When it feels scary to jump, that is exactly when you jump, otherwise you end up staying in the same place your whole life.”   Why? So many good things can happen when you trust in yourself and go after your dreams.

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS? 

Keep moving forward no matter how small the steps or how many obstacles you face.  

What do you love most about the GORGO community?

I love to see that it is possible for women to support women.

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience? What made you want to attend?  

I’ve always loved the pictures of Camp Gorgo posted by friends who attend each year. The women looked like they were having so much fun. 2019 was my first year and I had a fantastic time connecting with so many women and learning so much from them. It was a weekend of learning, growing and fun.

Any Advice for someone interested in attending but unsure if it’s for them?

I would tell anyone who is contemplating it to just go. The love on acceptance you feel there is greater than your fear.

-

Chapin Schnick: Honoring Your Body Through Life's Ebb and Flow

By Jill Farr

To say that Chapin Schnick was “active” growing up is an understatement.

“In high school, I played volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball, and I swam,” Chapin says. “And then I played college softball.”

For many people who are athletes in high school and college, finding the time and energy to be the level of active they were in their youth is difficult; the pressure of getting a job and maintaining an adult life takes a big chunk out of the time formerly devoted to sports. But Chapin stayed athletic.

“I dabbled in things after college, CrossFit, running.” Chapin says. “I stayed active. Even during a time when I was overweight, I was still running marathons.”

Some big events altered that trajectory, however.

“After two consecutive miscarriages and a debilitating wreck,” Chapin says, “I took an extended break from the gym and enjoyed a few years where I just focused on being a rainbow-wearing, donut-eating art teacher my students loved.” 

“In a sense, this was excellent, because it helped my career. I came out of it with a few important grants, including the inaugural InstaGrant from the Indiana Arts Commission, I presented at national conferences, and was named the 2018 Indiana Art Educator of the Year.  My mental and physical health suffered, though.”

This time, Chapin took a different route back to fitness. 

“In the spring of 2018, I began taking weekly hot yoga classes and going on backpacking trips with DNK Presents, a women-owned adventure company, which led into a summer of camping road trips. Coupled with a focus on intermittent fasting, I finally felt like me again. In addition to now working for the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), I’m training to be a guide with DNK Presents.”

Instead of an intense, regimented workout schedule, Chapin’s fitness life is more organic.

“I focus on yoga and hiking, and natural movement in general,” Chapin relates. “Along with metabolic conditioning. If I have an upcoming hike, I’m preparing for it. I’m usually just focused on trying to get 30 minutes of activity, whether it’s weights, kettlebell exercises, or whatever. Today I did double unders..it varies.”

Another shot in the arm for Chapin’s fitness life has been Camp GORGO.

“I had been following Val Solomon on social media, along with Christie NIx, about six years ago, when it came up on FB that they were going to do a lifting workshop, and it was at my parents' gym. I was so excited to see it happening, and then after that they announced that Camp GORGO was happening in the same area. I’ve gone to every single camp since.”

“It’s not even so much the workout experience for me, anymore...I came out of the first camp with friendships and more of a holistic view of fitness. Every summer since has been about catching up with these women, setting new goals...I literally can’t imagine my year without a Camp GORGO in it.”

Chapin gives yoga a lot of credit for bringing her back into the fitness fold. 

“For about six months,” Chapin explains, “After the accident, I did nothing aside from the occasional walk. Yoga was what brought me back to the point of being able to get active again.”

Yoga is deceptively simple, and good exercise for someone who needs a gentle fitness beginning...but it’s also a very intense workout that can level up as your strength and ability increases. Studies have shown that there are several reasons why it has such a positive impact on the people who practice it, but Chapin has her own opinion.

“The reason I think it appealed to me so much--after having basically destroyed my shoulder in this car accident--was the notion that it’s infinitely accessible. People following the same flow can have very different abilities. I may not be able to do this intense version someone else is, but I can do it where I am, and get benefit.”

In addition to its gentle on ramp for beginners, yoga has the potential to build incredible strength, and Chapin has seen that, too.

“For the last two summers of Camp GORGO,” she says, “I’d only done yoga and hiking, going in, but was keeping up with everyone. I hadn’t picked up a weight for two years. It blew my mind.”

The mind/body connection can be experienced with any activity, but yoga’s origins give it a leg up, since it was designed with that symbiosis in mind.

“I always come out feeling relaxed,” Chapin says. “I prefer hot yoga and one of the reasons is that I just feel cleansed. It’s about more than the activity. Being into yoga for the last couple of years has gotten me into understanding chakras and things like Reiki. I always thought Reiki was crazy stuff, and now I participate in Reiki massage. It’s opened my eyes to more.”

Chapin’s love for hiking developed out of necessity, and is fed by the meditative quality of having the great outdoors as your gym.

“The hiking focus came about when I was prepping for some camping trips,” Chapin shares. 

“I knew we were going to be carrying 60lb backpacks, so I got into it. I’d avoided the outdoors for a while, but this got me back outside. As with yoga, I feel renewed afterwards. Now I’m an assistant backpacking guide for a women’s outdoors company. In October we’re going to Tennessee, we’ll have a bunch of beginner backpackers --women--and we’ll teach them about no trace ethics, safety, and how to poop in the woods!”

“I had always felt like, coming out of being a competitive athlete, that I need to keep up with running, I need to keep up with lifting, but I don’t feel the stress of needing to have a certain type of movement any more. I’m trying to honor my body, and if I feel like moving my body a certain way, I do. I don’t feel the need to have a certain structure with having to have four lifting workouts that last a minimum of an hour...my only focus is four days with 30 minutes of activity.”

When you look at the pattern of Chapin’s activity, going from the highly competitive mindset of organized sports, to the Zen end of the spectrum, with hiking and yoga, you might wonder if a part of her misses the competition. She wondered about that, herself, and the answer might not be what you’d expect.

“I thought I would feel lost, not having competitions coming up. When I had the wreck, I was training for a powerlifting competition. That hasn’t interested me since. And it’s freeing in a way. I spent probably 25 ish years always trying to focus on being the best at some pursuit, or supporting other team members, and now I just feel like...I’m just trying to be good to my body.”

And as far as the team aspect of sports being gone, Chapin says that she’s found the fix for that in Camp GORGO, with even more of the support, and none of the competition.

“I feel like a lot of folks coming to Camp Gorgo believe it’s going to be the opposite of what it is. They think, “Oh, it’s a fitness camp with all of these influencer types...everyone’s going to be catty...it’s going to be competitive, focused on looks...it’s the opposite. I actually feel so relaxed at Camp GORGO. We’re all trying to be the healthiest versions of ourselves. It’s freeing to be around women who have similar goals.”

The ability to listen to what your body needs and honor it as life changes those needs is the big message that Chapin believes her story holds. And that adaptability has served her well in finding happiness and contentment with the changes she’s had to navigate.

“I spent more than 25 years thinking being a mother was the one thing I was certain I was meant to be,” Chapin says.

“But as I close in on 34, I am happily content with my handsome hubby and our three furry boys, my goal of 30-min. of movement most days of the week, and supporting fellow artists and arts organizations in Indiana through my position at the IAC.”

Dig, and Push Through: Joyce Harrison

By Jill Farr

Joyce Harrison wasn’t athletic growing up, and carried some extra weight as a result, not unlike many kids who aren’t particularly active.

However, not many people have a clear idea about the “why” behind childhood habits...and Joyce does.

“I survived being raped and molested as a child,” Joyce explains. “So, from a young age, I already felt unworthy, broken and dirty. Looking back I think I kept my body hidden under layers of fat, ate my feelings, then hated myself even more in that vicious cycle.” 

“As an adult I worked through those feelings, or so I thought, and went on about my life and got married to an amazing man and started a family.”

While the trauma of her early years had posed a significant challenge, Joyce had no idea that an even greater one lay ahead.

“When our second child Olivia was 11 months old,” Joyce says, “She died of a very rare condition. We were devastated.”

The loss of a child is one of the most horrible things most parents can imagine, and Joyce and her husband Terrance faced it, and carried on.

But the heartbreak wasn’t over.

“Three years and three days later,” Joyce explains, “Our third child, 18 month old Samuel died of the very same rare condition.”

“I fell into a pit of grief so deep and dark and terrifying. Losing one child is tragic, but losing two? I begged God to help me understand. I was in a constant state of fear that something else bad would happen. The toll that grief and stress takes on the body, mind and soul is immeasurable.”

Joyce kept going forward, doing the things that needed to be done, and living, but finally the pressure of continually managing such a deep, underlying depression finally became unbearable.

“When my youngest son, Max was 6 months old,” Joyce shares, “My husband deployed for a year to Iraq. Within a month, I hit rock bottom. I felt isolated and alone. I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t want to live either.”

Friends and family stepped in, helping Joyce to take some initial steps.

“My mom took me to weight watchers and a friend took me to a spin class--my first ever.”

“Within a few weeks of lining up some nutrition and exercise, I saw some results,” Joyce says. 

“I also sought treatment for my depression and PTSD and started to feel like I was worth it. I felt like I was climbing out of the rubble and looking around at my life--in fact, the previous almost 10 years were a blur, I didn’t even remember how I got to that point exactly.”

Joyce decided that living her best life and being the best mom possible to her living children Gracie (now 18) and Max (now 9) would be a way of honoring Olivia and Samuel...not forgetting them.

The impact of exercise on a variety of types of depression is well studied and documented, and while those suffering should always consult a health professional for diagnosis and treatment, engaging in exercise is a meaningful way of helping your brain and body cope with trauma. Research has also indicated that the relief from depression that exercise can provide is long lasting, and Joyce is a believer. Once on the road of recovery, she made the decision to amp up her activity level.

“My primary fitness goal is to be healthy and strong,” Joyce shares. “Although losing weight seems to be all I can think about. The scale and clothing size has ruled me for as long as I can remember, but I’m trying to change that mindset and not focus on the numbers. One day I would love to walk across the stage in a fitness competition just to wear the sparkly bikini, but right now I’m still trying to learn my body and how to get it in the shape I want. Until then I will love it and honor it for giving me 4 amazing babies.”

“After I got started, I followed (stalked) some people on Facebook. People like Busy Mom Gets Fit, Sisters in Shape, Dani Get UR Guns, FitNix and my coach, Natalie, and then I read about this thing called Camp GORGO!”

Joyce’s initial excitement was temporarily derailed by old, negative thought patterns, though. 

“It was so close to my home! But I kept thinking things like, ‘Oh, but I couldn’t, I’m not fit, I’m not strong, I’m too fat. So I just sat and watched for two years as this amazing event was happening.”

But that didn’t last, and eventually Joyce’s desire to be a part of this event overcame her self-doubts...and the results were worth it.

“Camp Gorgo literally changed my life,” Joyce says. “Obviously from meeting these amazing women that I totally fangirl over in person, but also from them being transparent, open and vulnerable.”

“I connected with a tribe of women that are strong, fearless, full of grace and grit. I communicate regularly with my Camp GORGO roommates and even though it’s through text or Facebook, the strength, encouragement, and empowerment is palpable.”

In sharp contrast to the years of darkness and depression, Joyce now has joy in abundance.

“Sometimes I feel guilty for being so happy and sparkly,” Joyce says, “But God has restored my joy and I can find it anywhere! I have been an RN for about 20 years and I have just graduated from the University of Cincinnati with my BSN. I am very fortunate to have the support of a great husband and family.”

When asked what advice she would give other women, who are struggling with feelings of unworthiness, or crippling depression that feels as if it’s all-consuming, Joyce admits that it’s hard to share, but wants other women to know that they can take the reins of their mental and physical health.

“I struggle telling my story sometimes,” Joyce says, “Because I am not where I want to be; it’s messy and imperfect. But I have learned to take responsibility for my mental and physical health, become proactive and less reactive.”

“Have an honest discussion with yourself, ask yourself, what is the life you want to live, what does it look like and how would it make you feel? It is so liberating to discover your authentic self. Do one thing everyday that will get you to your goals. Change your inner dialogue, tell yourself how awesome you are and what a great butt you have! I was told that whatever you are going through, God has already put in you what you need to make it through, So dig and push through! It’s painful and it reveals parts of me I don’t like- but then I imagine the life I want to live to honor my children and it’s so worth it!”

I Cannot Even. No, Really You Can.

Written by Priscilla Tallman

I can’t.

I cannot even.

I just cannot even.

I mean. I can’t.

We’ve all heard these expressions. Goodness, we’ve all said them. Tiny little word jabs we use throughout the day to express our disbelief in someone, some thing or some event. Social media has made our ability to can or can’t such a toss away expression anymore, we’ve forgotten those two little words (and the extra ones we tag on for dramatic emphasis) are rooted deeply in our ability to accomplish something.

I mean, can you even? Can you just even?

Yeah, you can.

One of my favorite sayings from my competitive sports playing days is one I stole from my husband, and he stole from his college volleyball coach. It’s super simple. Say it with me:

“Can you?”

That’s it.

Any time a ball was out of play or shanked, his coach would yell “Can you? Can you?” In the middle of a heated game or intense practice, no one had time to answer. You either could, or you died trying. Once we get out of our 20’s or we stop playing something competitively or we stop training for a specific event or sport and begin training for life, we start making excuses about our ability. We start not being able to even – way too often these days.

I get that. I really do.

I have to scale or modify prescribed workouts on a very consistent basis. Some days my body tells me “no” all together. I have 20 years of competitive volleyball on this body and sometimes I wake up at the crack of dawn, peek at the workout and say to myself “I cannot even.” Three little words before the sun comes up that determine my ability in the gym and as a result, my ability and attitude all day.

So, I changed my husbands’ coach’s mantra a bit to fit my life. I switched the words around and took away the question mark – that left these two words: “You can.”

You can.

Imagine beginning your workout, your day with those two words. You can scale or modify the workout. You can do yoga instead if your body says “no” to the weight room. You can just walk up to the bar and lift it without telling yourself that you can’t a thousand times before you get there. You can take care of your body, your mind, your spirit and your emotions without sacrificing one for the other. You can use this phrase to encourage other women in your life without compromising your own ability.

You can.

This phrase is now officially my favorite sports (and life) phrase of all time. As a teammate, I love pushing my tennis partner to take a few more steps to get that stray tennis ball “you can, you can!” In coaching, I love encouraging young athletes to try another time when they are ready to throw in the towel “you can, you can.” When my kids tell me they can’t find anything to pack for their lunches, I say “you can, you can.”

Our days are a series of choices. Sure, there is some level of serendipity, spontaneity and even chaos to any twenty-four hour period, but we can still choose how we approach the day and how we speak to ourselves about what we are able to do. Choosing to say to ourselves “you can,” before the world has a chance to tell us otherwise is strategic and powerful.

Guess what? You can be strategic and powerful. Now what?

You can.

Southern Comfort: Lessons on Loving Food Appropriately with Robin Shea

by Jill Farr

Southern gal Robin Shea has been known for her “Southern Fried” fitness approach for some time, but her relationship with food wasn’t always a balanced one.

“I’ve always been a fitness fanatic, fitness has always been a part of my life, but the relationships I had with food were very unhealthy,” Robin admits. “Dieting, not dieting. Dieting, not dieting.”

“I was tired of that yo-yo. I knew there had to be a balance that I could strike that was more rewarding and fulfilling. With the 80/20 method I found that, and a way to keep the passion I had for good food as well.”

The 80/20 method-- which encourages healthier food decisions 80% of the time, leaving 20% for more indulgent choices—is not only a practicality Robin lives…it’s also the theme for her television show, which airs on the Paula Deen network, Create TV, and PBS.

Cooking 80/20 allows viewers to see Robin bring healthy recipes to life (and enjoy her vivacious personality), and the show has featured her four sons, exhibiting the reality that this way of life can work with large families, as well.

Retooling recipes and replacing some ingredients with healthier alternatives was one key, but Robin also says that there was another factor that needed embracing; letting go of guilt.

“A lot of people don’t realize that psychologically, we introduce guilt as a factor,” Robin says. “It’s a double edged sword. We have to understand that guilt sabotages us on every level. If you can push the reset button every morning when you open your eyes, and truly embrace that, you can learn to let go of guilt, and you’re so far ahead of the game and headed for success.”

The 80/20 approach contains a lot of common sense, as a method of eating—there’s evidence that supports not engaging in super restrictive dieting, long term, if you want to maintain good habits—but there’s also one simple reason to save some room in your diet for the occasional indulgence; happiness. Robin believes that healthy eating doesn’t have to preclude happy eating, as long as there’s a reasonable balance.

“A very important point is that if you’re not enjoying every step of your process, you’re on the wrong journey,” Robin maintains. “I’m not saying you’re not going to experience trouble. Just find the approach that gives you a certain level of satisfaction every day. You should be having fun! If you’re miserable, it’s the wrong diet, the wrong approach…identify it and change it.”

“You should be enjoying it—every day should be rewarding in some way.”

#GORGOgirl: Trish Shahady

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Trish Shahady.

Tell us about your fitness life.

I’ve always been an athlete. From high school until my early 30’s, I played field hockey. I just picked up the sport again at 46. While I don't classify myself as a “runner”, I have run since middle school. It was my outlet and also helped with endurance training for hockey.

I didn’t find strength training until my 30’s.  

After having my first son, I’d hit rock bottom. I had gained weight. I was heavy, slow, lethargic, working full time, taking care of my son, and just being a busy mom. One Sunday, I woke up and stepped on the scale. I weighed 169lbs, the heaviest of my life. At that moment, I decided that was it. I’d never had to lose weight before, so I didn’t know what to do. I got online and found a Weight Watchers meeting that same morning. Once I began Weight Watchers, I began exercising regularly. First, I just started with cardio; then, I began taking fitness classes that incorporated a lot of strength training. This was my first experience with weights… and it just blossomed from there. The class instructor became my mentor. Within that year, he pushed me to get my PT certification and wanted me to teach classes.  That all came to fruition in 2009/2010 - and started a new chapter in my life -Trainer, Motivator, Influencer...

The bulk of my strength training - weight lifting life has spanned over a short period of time - approximately 10 years - mid-thirties to late forties.  I have grown and changed so much over those years - part of the beautiful journey right. In my 30’s, I coveted that lean, shredded Oxygen magazine model look.  THAT is not my body type. I was a clydesdale wanting to be a mustang! I was always striving to be something I was not, purely aesthetic, and boom it hit me - I stopped trying to force a square peg into a round hole. I started loving who I was, how I look and celebrate WHAT my body can do.  Not gonna lie, this took FOREVER. I’m finally in that place where I don’t care if I have 6-pack abs, or boulder shoulders - I’M NOT A FITNESS COMPETITOR.

I’m ME, I’m strong, my body can do amazing things THAT my friends is the game ... When YOU DO YOU.

Present life, I eat mindfully, but mostly what I want and I workout to be healthy and strong. On the cusp of turning 48, my mindset has changed to just being strong, lifting safely -if I take a fall at 80, I’m gonna be able to get myself up.

Tell us about your non-fitness life.

I’ve been with my high school sweetheart for 30 years (married for 19 years). Together we have 9-year-old and 15-year-old boys. We also have a mini poodle, Tito. I’m the youngest of 4 with 3 older brothers. My mother is Korean and my dad is Irish/Scottish descent. I was an army brat, so we moved around a lot growing up; we lived in Germany, and I’ve lived in Maryland the majority of my life.

I also love to cook. If I’m not in the gym, I’m in the kitchen doing my second love. My father taught me how to cook from a very early age. It takes my mind away from everything.

It takes a lot for me to be chatty. I’m somewhat introverted, so I show my love for people through cooking. I’m not a very big “let’s hug” type of person, but I’ll happily cook for you!

What do you love about GORGO?

I love GORGO because it’s not fake - not airbrushed, unfiltered. I love that I never feel judged - I am 100% authentic and REAL.  No apologies. I cuss like a sailor and that’s okay. I love that GORGO celebrates all women - all fitness levels, all body types, and celebrates self love.  

Any fun facts? Pets? Travels? Hobbies? Silly stuff?

I’m the most uncoordinated person you’ll meet in your life. Ironically enough, I wanted to become a dancer (and no, I’ve never even danced!). Majoring in American Studies in college, I also aspired to be a teacher at one point in my life. Neither dancing nor teaching came to fruition.  

Ice cream and vodka are non-negotiables in my diet - always present :)  My Boo Tito is named after vodka, ha ha ha ha!

Anything about camp GORGO you'd like to mention? What made you want to attend this year, why do you look forward to it? Favorite part? Etc....

I first met Val Solomon at the gym and our relationship grew through fitness. The first year she offered Camp GORGO, I went as a participant with a friend and had an amazing time. The 2nd year and each year since, I have taught workshops at Camp called “Barbell Love” and “HIIT”. I’m an “influencer” but not in the way of many Camp Leads who can confidently speak in front of an audience and connect. I’m the most extroverted introvert! I motivate by DOING- walking the walking, talking the talking, in my IDGAF way and I THINK thats how I motivate. I’m that muscle who gently pushes her clients and teaches them to find their own strength through lifting. Everyone’s takeaway from the weekend is different in terms of what why they go and what they gain from the weekend. It’s a high energy weekend filled with fun, laughter, and even tears.

I’ve always loved the concept that women from across the world get together for this one weekend a year. I love that it's all women too. I train only women because of the connection we have. Through training, the relationships we build are personal and intimate. Same goes for camp. We are all there and all connected. We aren’t competing against one another. We are learning from each other and taking knowledge in from all of the workshops, and building friendships.

I love the games. I love that everyone wears tu-tu’s. But the biggest reason I keep going back is because of what it means to me. To me, it means being with your tribe. It’s not just the tribe… it’s YOUR tribe. It’s who your people are.

Connect with Trish at www.gymgurltraining.com and @gymgurltraining

Stronger Than You Think: Dianne Rideout

By Jill Farr

Career woman and single mom Dianne Rideout has a very clear answer when asked the standard GORGO interview question, “What do you believe sets you apart? What’s your source of empowerment?”

“I have never been handed anything in my life,” Dianne says. “I have worked for every single thing I have.”

While achieving goals as the result of hard work certainly builds a certain amount of fortitude, it’s also not something born in a vacuum; the mindset of success has to be there, too. It’s something Dianne has cultivated carefully, over the years.

Dianne was not fitness minded as a child, or particularly athletic. In fact it wasn’t until after her second pregnancy when she turned to fitness for weight loss that she discovered its secondary benefits. 

“I started my fitness journey with Sisters in Shape after I had my second child,” Dianne says.

“I was heavier than I had ever been in my life--almost 200 pounds and I am 5’2.”

“I had my daughter in May 2014 and was heading back to work in January 2015.  I started searching the internet and stumbled onto Sisters in Shape. I did a 6 week challenge and lost some weight but I still wasn’t where I wanted to be so I contacted Erica Willick and she started coaching me one on one.”

The newly found fitness focus ultimately helped Dianne with more that just physical strength.

“I was having a lot of troubles in my marriage and personal life,” Dianne says. “I turned to working out as a way to work through those issues. I lost weight and became fitter than I had been before, but more importantly I really gained mental strength and clarity from working out.”

As it happens so often with women, Dianne’s foray into strength training brought to light a need for the coalescence of strength and assurance from other areas into the places where it was lacking.

“I’m a lawyer by trade,” Dianne says, “And I feel that in that realm I portray myself as strong and confident.”  

“In my personal life I was anything but that.”

“I had been beaten down a lot and I felt like I was far from the person that everyone saw in my professional life, and on the surface.”

In the summer of 2016, just as she had amped up her fitness journey by going from a program to personal training, Dianne went a step further and traveled to Camp Gorgo for the first time.  

“It was very much out of my comfort zone to go to something like this where I didn’t know anyone,” Dianne says. “But it really changed my life.”  

Dianne credits meeting strong and inspirational women at the camp with challenging her to make another jump, and transform her life even more.

“After meeting women who had overcome many difficulties in their life,  it really made me realize that I needed to take action to life a live that made me happy,” Dianne explains. “I set out to start living an authentic life. I wanted to be strong and happy, and show my daughters a strong female role model.”

While the courage to strike out and change the aspects of her life that were unhealthy--both physically and situationally--is something she advocates for, Dianne also shares that realistically, the choice to make even positive changes isn’t without struggle, itself.

“Single mom life is so hard,” Dianne relates. “Some days I feel like superwoman. Some days I’m hiding in my bedroom just to escape my kids and cry. But I keep trudging on. Ultimately I want my kids to know that I did not put up with an unhappy or unhealthy situation. I stood up for myself and ultimately for them. I don’t think they see it at the moment, but I hope one day they will appreciate it.”

Fitness competition became the next tangible marker for Dianne’s strength journey.

“I never wanted to compete, initially,” Dianne says, “But I found that once I started to build physical strength my emotional strength also grew. I felt empowered and decided that I would challenge myself to compete in a competition to prove to myself that I was strong.”

“Competing really wasn’t about winning or losing. It was about showing myself I had the dedication it takes to do it.  When I stepped on the stage I felt like a different person. It was so empowering. It turned out to be more that I had hoped for because I ended up winning two first place trophies and one second place trophy.”

Fitness became an integral part of Dianne’s life, one that helped her make strong moves in order to pursue happiness and health, and realize the depths of her inner strength.

When asked what she would tell other women who are struggling to leave unhealthy situations, or what advice she would give the grief-stricken woman who is fighting to just get out of bed, much less to the gym, Dianne adds her own dimension to a favorite quote from a book she loves…

“Never ignore your inner voice. Listen to yourself and believe in yourself because you are stronger than you think. I love this quote from Glennon Doyle Melton’s book Love Warrior, and it sums up what I believe…

“I will not betray myself. I will trust the wisdom of the still small voice. I will not let fear drown her out. I will trust her and I will trust myself. Love, Pain, Life: I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”