There’s a lot of BEAST MODE ACTION that takes place at KEEN Fitness, but this month’s member of the month truly takes it to epic levels.  I’m extremely proud to announce this month’s member of the month because this woman is a force to be reckoned with.  She SHOWS up, not only physically, but mentally, to every workout.  She competes with herself on all levels, with all engines blasting.  Congratulations to Emily, our super-athlete, for being this month’s star member.  Check out our interview with this insane force of fitness below… you’ll learn so much from her!

Congrats Emily on being this month’s member of the month.. so how old are you?
I am 33 years old, and I have a one and half year old daughter. 

How are you adjusting to motherhood?  Oh my God I love it.  I love how innocent kids are.  They don’t know anything. You literally have to teach them everything!  They love learning, and seeing that growth happen right in front of my eyes is amazing.

How did you hear about KEEN? And what made you try it out?
I live in the area, and I saw it when I drove by once.  I came in and met with Ankeen… I tried it, and fell in love.  I have a crossfit background, but I kept getting injured in crossfit.  I loved that I’m in a group fitness setting, without the intensity or injury risk of crossfit.  And the kickboxing is a super nice bonus of course.

How Long have you been coming?
About 2 years now, although it seems like forever.  It seems like I don’t remember a time before KEEN haha.

What is the biggest progress you’ve had?
My strength for sure.  I’ve always been a runner, and I didn’t like to do strength workouts, but I knew I need to get stronger if I was going to do super long distances.  I have much more stamina now and I can handle a longer run because my muscles can handle it.

Speaking of runs, how did you get into marathons?
I was always a soccer player, and one day the cross country coach told me, “Hey you run pretty well.. come try out for it.” So I did.  Since I committed to it, I knew I had to see it through.  Turns out I was pretty good at running, so I did track too.  It became such a big part of my life, that after I left school, I knew I had to keep going.  I did my first marathon in 2010, and just did my 2nd one this month in Athens, Greece.

How do you stay so driven?
I love competition.  I love the feeling after the race is over.  That drives me for sure.  And at the gym, the workouts are so much fun.  I’m that crazy person early in the morning at the gym, hyping people up around me.  I like to have a good time.  Yes, even at 7 AM haha!

What’s one of your favorite exercises? Well I absolutely love the variety we get… It’s never boring.  But my favorite workout has gotta be thrusters and then a close 2nd is wall balls.

Does your husband know how much of a bad ass you are?
Yes he does!  He’s come

to some of the ‘bring your friend’ days, and he’s survived pretty well, but he’s definitely gotten super sore.  He realized he shouldn’t be skipping leg days at the gym haha.. Women are so strong in the legs department.

Any feedback about Ankeen?
She’s awesome. I’ve worked out at A LOT of gyms and a LOT of trainers.  She is super special.  Her energy and focus is phenomenal.  She does a great job with technique and mixes up well with strength and conditioning.  It’s crazy that no one gets injured at this gym, and that’s because of Ankeen’s direct focus and attention to every single detail of every single person’s technique.

Tell us something that we don’t know about you?
I run my own business:  I’m a pension consultant.  It was my father’s business, that he started 40 years ago, and I took it over this year.  I’m so fortunate to be able to do what I’m doing:  I love my job and the flexibility it brings me, I love being a hands-on, good mom and I love being a dedicated athlete.

 

What advice would you give someone who is hesitant to try the gym?
This gym is for everyone.. There are different moves you can do to modify the workout to fit your level.  Before you know it, you will be doing the movements at the highest capacity.  It’s never too late to start.  You gotta try it, and you won’t regret it.  You gotta just get your foot in the door.  The environment here is just so awesome and welcoming.

Any routine outside of the gym that helps you?
We love to go on family hikes a lot, just to get away from the busyness of the city.  We’ll go for a 2 hour hike, and not see a single person.  It’s such a great stress-reliever.  Also keeping balance in your life I feel is super important: spreading your time between family, fitness, and leisure.

What is your food indulgence?
I love sweets!  Brownies, Ice cream… oh and a juicy steak!  I eat probably 4000 calories day, but I don’t recommend that!  It’s because I work it off that day too!

What’s your jam right now?
Taylor Swift… anything Taylor Swift… definitely “Shake It Off!” and if we’re going super old school, it’s all about N-Sync.

Restaurant: Zeke’s Barbecue or Basin 141 if it’s date night.  I love burgers, so Slater’s 50/50 in Pasadena is always good!