Paige is a 19-year-old student and waitress.

Q: What got you started working out?
A: My career path and wanting to better myself.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: 4-5 days a week.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Back squat!!!

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Grilled chicken and veggies

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: Sometimes trying new things is a little nerve wrecking. That mental blockage can get the best of me.

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: My future, my future career, and wanting to be the best version of myself everyday of the week.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Do it!! Every time you go to the gym it’s an investment in yourself. So take that first step, invest in yourself. And most importantly, it doesn’t matter how you look, but how you feel.

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: Physically, I couldn’t lift much weight. Mentally, I could never stay consistent with workouts or hold myself accountable.

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Being able to squat a heavy weight as a beginner.

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: Getting ready for basic training and absolutely crushing the ACFT.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: One tree hill is my absolute favorite t.v. Show!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: Everything. The environment. The people. Seeing everyone there with a purpose and goal!

Ryan is a 34-year-old Conductor for BNSF Railroad.

Q: What got you started working out?
A: I had ballooned to my biggest size and decided it was time for a change. So, I joined the 4-week challenge.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: 3-4. Barbell Strong and the Challenge Groups.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Squats

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Protein shake

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: Never being satisfied. Always wanting to know what’s next!

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: My beautiful wife pushes me when I’m not feeling It and vice versus. She attends kickboxing so we’re always pushing and supporting each other.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Take the first step. The hardest part about starting is taking that first step in the gym. But once you do it’s so worth it.

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: I hard a hard time squatting more then the bar now I’m up to 305 lbs.

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Deadlift. It’s up to 305 pounds.

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: I want to deadlift 350.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I can’t swim.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: The atmosphere. From the moment you come in, they treat you like family. Everyone is always there to help each other no matter what.

Steeven is a 48-year-old Grocery Stock Clerk who is retired from the Army.

Q: What got you started working out?
A: One of my friends got me started working out when I was deployed in the military, It was a great way to keep in shape and to make time go by.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: 5 days per week in a typical week.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Bench Press

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Tru-Mass Chocolate/Peanut Butter shake

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: The most challenging thing about working out to me is just getting to the gym. After work if I don’t get right to the gym, I will lose all drive and motivation to go. So I have my stuff ready, get home, grab and go. If I sit down, game over.

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: My Wife, definitely. We have been married for a year now and together for five. She is my rock and my best friend. We are both pushing 50 and I want to stay healthy and be around a long time to spend with her.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Develop and follow a plan. Know your limitations and strengths. And don’t overdo it to the point of injury.

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: I like being able to make and follow a workout plan. I couldn’t do that when I started due to the ever-changing schedule of the military. I normally just squeezed in whatever I could, whenever I could.

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Staying the course and staying at it all these years.

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: I’m working on implementing more cardio into my workout program. I am not a fan of it, but I know it needs to be done.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: Most may not know that I served in the US Army Infantry on active duty for nearly 25 years with 5 combat deployments.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: I love the small gym feeling: where you recognize everyone in there and it never really gets busy to the point where you have to wait on a machine or equipment. The 24hr access is a great perk and of course the dogs.

Josh is 26-years-old and is an avid Olympic lifter.

Q: What got you started working out? A: I started working out at The Strength Collective because I needed a new gym due to all the shutdowns last year. They were the only gym where I felt I had the freedom to train in the style I’m interested in. At The Strength Collective you’ll see me mostly training for the Olympic lifts. I’ve been training in this style since 2018 and I’m addicted. I’ve always trained since I was young whether it be for sport or martial arts but I started Olympic lifting because I thought it was the ultimate test of strength, power, mobility and coordination.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: I work out 3-5 days a week. I always try for 5 but it doesn’t always happen and that’s okay. I’m not part of any official group at The Strength Collective but it has been quite fun recently training alongside Mike (Mav) and Jenna. It’s always just a little bit easier to push yourself when you have good training partners.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Clean and Jerk

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Any type of chicken and rice.

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: In the beginning I think the hardest part about working out is just getting to the gym to start training. Once the initial habit of going to the gym is built I think the hardest part is juggling proper programming, diet and sleep.

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: Beyond the physical benefits I think exercise is a great stress reliever and usually helps boost your mood during and after a workout. I feel it’s important to strive for both a healthy body and mind.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Find a workout style that you are TRULY interested in. Whether it be Olympic lifting, bodybuilding, CrossFit, powerlifting etc. If you’re actually interested in getting better at it, you will come back for more. It doesn’t really matter which style you choose, they all work as long as you’re consistent. Also for someone who is new, it’s okay to ease into light workouts in the beginning and work on form. You don’t want to exhaust yourself too badly to the point you have to skip workouts right from the start.

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: My upper back and shoulder mobility was so awful in the beginning, I couldn’t get close to the proper positions for the Olympic lifts. It took months of mobility work to even begin to feel comfortable with the bar overhead.

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I’m not sure I have any accomplishments that I’m particularly proud of, but getting 315 in the clean and jerk and 225 in the snatch felt like pretty big milestones to reach.

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: I’ll continue trying to improve in the classic lifts but I need to increase my leg strength first so I’m starting a new squat program soon.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I can speak some Swedish since I studied abroad there for almost 6 months.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: I think the gym is very well balanced. There’s equipment and weights for everyone regardless of how they choose to exercise. There’s normally always someone working out but the gym is never overcrowded so you get the best of both worlds. Everyone at the gym is generally friendly so you shouldn’t ever feel out of place or afraid to say hello! If you want to workout with me or need help with your Olympic lifts let me know!

Starting the new year off right by introducing our January MOTM Kelly Poyner. Kelly is a 57-year-old consultant and coach. She trains with us 3 days a week with her sister Melissa.

Q: What got you started working out?
A: The necessity to get truly healthy, be vital, and able to live into my 80’s & 90’s.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out?
A: Three days a week. Currently meeting with our personal trainer.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Deadlifts!

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: A Buddha bowl with salad, a protein, and avocado.

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: The first step: Making myself show up!

Q: How do you stay motivated to work out consistently?
A: Seeing the changes in my body and seeing some muscle.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about starting or just getting started in the gym?
A: Don’t rethink it – make it happen! You will start loving yourself!

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: I was at my weakest in 17 years. Getting through the warm up was tough. I love that I can dead hang longer than 15 seconds and I actually deadlift with a bar and weights now!

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: The fact that I have not quit. Getting ready to start my 6th month and feeling stronger every single day!

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: I would like to loose a few more pounds. That said, I am ready to work harder on building and sculpting muscle and getting even stronger.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I believe that energy affects every aspect of our being.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: My trainers Jenna and Katrina. And the fact that they meet you where you are and push you to do your best. Love hearing “well done”!

We’re proud to announce this month’s member of the month is Denver Willis! Denver is a 35 year old “Army Dude” and shares our passion of getting people in the community active and engaged. Read more about Denver and his fitness journey below!

Q: What got you started working out?
A: I was the youngest of 4 boys and was constantly picked on by them! So I figured I had the grit part down, and if I was to get bigger, faster and stronger they would leave me alone. It worked.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out?
A: 5-6

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Lat Pulldowns

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Sushi!

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: Finding that perfect atmosphere to work out in! Fortunately, The Strength Collective provides that in the Galesburg area!!

Q: How do you stay motivated to work out consistently?
A: My 4 kids and smokin’ wife! I have the need to want to keep up with all of them!

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about starting or just getting started in the gym?
A: Do it! Don’t stop. Consistency is the key when it comes to the gym or fitness in general.

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: That would be burning off my COVID excess body weight in less than a month at 35!

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I’m a musician at heart!!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: The members and staff!

Thank you Denver for being a great member of our gym community and for your service to our country!

This month’s member of the month is Leann Schaffnit! Leann is a 25 year old teacher and moved to Galesburg a little over a year ago and has loved it since. She loves working out through kickboxing and is a part of groups like Stay at Home Strong and All Ages Strong. She recently finished up her 12 week program with Jenna and it has helped her improve on her relationship with fitness and overall wellness. Learn more about Leann Below!

Q: What got you started working out?

A: I’ve been on a yo-yoing fitness journey for a long time but The Strength Collective has helped me find what works best for me. Kickboxing is so fun and there are so many classes offered that are super accessible for people at all fitness levels.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?

A: Currently 5 days a week! I do kickboxing, Stay at Home Strong, And All Ages Strong! I’m just finishing up my first 12 week program with Jenna and it has been life changing for my relationship with fitness, wellness, and my body.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?

A: I have to pick one? I love kickboxing but my controversial take is that I ACTUALLY LIKE wall sits!

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?

A: Frozen mango! It feels like ice cream but it’s just mango:)

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?

A: Being sore afterwards. Honestly, once you figure out where it fits into your schedule you just don’t let yourself cancel the appointment!

Q: What keeps you motivated to workout regularly?

A: All the little wins! Exercises get easier, I can move my body in new ways, I choose heavier weights, etc.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started at the gym?

A: Stop thinking and just do it. It’s never going to be the “perfect time”. The perfect time is now because it’s on your mind!

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started that you can do now?

A: A PROPER PUSHUP, also I can touch my knee to my elbow while doing bird-dogs now which was more exciting than I imagined!

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?

A: Despite all of the workout successes I mentioned earlier, probably my commitment and consistency with what I eat. Jenna taught me how to count my macros and the best way to eat to still LOVE what you eat as well as keeping up with working towards your goals!

Q: What goals are you working on right now?

A: I’m still working on losing fat (it doesn’t happen overnight) and getting stronger. A big goal of mine is to not need to modify any exercises in my workouts.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:

A: I’m a vegetarian and I still hit my protein goals every day!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?

A: I love the community vibe and when I moved to Galesburg a little over a year ago I knew I needed a smaller gym and I could not be happier with the family I’ve built here. I know that I matter here and that there’s always a bunch of people celebrating my goals WITH me!

Thank you for being an awesome member Leann!

This month we have our very first “virtual” Member of the Month- Christina Leafgreen! Christina is a 29 year old English teacher who joined us in April for our very first 4 Week Habit Challenge, and continued with Jenna’s 12 Week Limitless Lifestyle online group coaching program after that. She’s been consistently improving every week since then, and has the progress to show for it! Learn more about Christina’s journey below.

Q: What got you started working out?
A: My friend shared the April challenge with me and I wanted to find a way to get in shape during quarantine/the pandemic.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: I usually do 3 workouts a week. I was a part of the Spring into Action group, the 12 week coaching program, and now the Harvest Healthy Habits group.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: I absolutely love kneeling windmills with a dumbbell. I love feeling how I can instantly feel an effect from it. And it’s always challenging.

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: I love to have any meat high in protein off of the grill after my workouts.

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: The first 2 minutes. I always have a ton of anxiety waiting for the workout to begin. Once I’m done with my spiderman elbow lunges, I’m in the zone and love it!

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: My mental health and my energy levels — both have improved tremendously since I started the first challenge and I love giving back to myself in this way.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Don’t let the fear of what your trainer may have you do tomorrow, next week, or next month. Live in the present and take it one day at a time. Trust the process!!!

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: I used to have pretty awful breakdowns at work or at home where I would lose my cool and throw tantrums. I now can take something in and put it on the back burner and not stress about it immediately but think it through. This is the best therapy I’ve ever had!

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I have upper body strength!!! I can help carry things for people now instead of being the one needing help. It’s so empowering.

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: My next goal is to cut 15 more pounds, but continue to build and tone my muscle. With school in full swing now, I will prove to myself I can do this while working a stressful job. In the past, I’ve been able to somewhat get in shape over the summer, but I would always lose the motivation once school started. No more excuses here.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: When I do recorded workouts, I turn my speakers up as loud as they will go to I Prevail Pandora station and it is my favorite time of the day. Best feeling ever!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: I am a part of a team that cares about my progress and well-being. I have so much support from this group and I don’t have to worry about judgement. Beyond grateful for Jenna, Katrina, and everyone who has joined me in this journey along the way ♥️

We are so grateful for and proud of you Christina! Keep up the great work!

We’re so proud to announce our August Member of the Month is Amanda Sanders! Amanda is one of our OG members, going all the way back to our Anytime Fitness days. She’s a 37 year old Physical Therapist who was an athlete throughout high school and college and lost touch with her fitness journey when she started a family (our moms know that struggle all too well). She has been back on her fitness journey since 2017, which is AWESOME! Read on for some more information about Amanda:

Q:What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Lifting heavy – probably a 3-way tie between bench press, push press and squats.

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: That’s a very unfair question. I typically workout at noon, so I get to eat lunch afterwards. But on other days I shake up a PEScience protein shake so I don’t eat ALL the food. My favorite flavor is chocolate cupcake. Recently I’ve also been turned onto Fairlife CorePower chocolate milk which is delicious.

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: Making it a priority. I struggle strongly with mom-shame, so it’s hard to put me first. I try to keep the mindset that I’m teaching them to make their fitness a priority too, but on days in which time is short, “mom’s stuff” is usually the first to be sacrificed.

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: My People. My Family and my FitFam. I need to be healthy and strong to be a good role model for my daughters and make sure I can be there for them for a long time. My FitFam keeps me accountable; there’s an overflowing wealth of support and encouragement. They expect me to be there, but don’t shame me when I fall.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: The hardest part is showing up. No matter what you do, how many times you fall or struggle, and especially when you don’t want to, Just Show Up.

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: Full push-ups, still a challenge to do more than 5 in a row, but I’m still getting stronger every day.

Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Winning the strongman last summer. That was a lot of fun.

Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: Right now my focus is getting my nutrition in check. Eating to fuel my body for bigger strength gains and to shed the extra weight.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know.
A: I’m originally from Omaha, NE.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: The people. We are a family of warriors. It may feel strange to have a “stranger” encourage you and push you, but that’s what we do. The minute you walk through the door, you’re no longer a stranger, you’re family.

Thank you for being a ride or die member of our #fitfam Amanda!