Mary is a 40-year-old Transit Assistant for the City of Galesburg.
Q: What got you started working out?
A: Actually the question should be who got you started working out and that would be Abby Slagel. A friend of mine for 35 years. She was training with Jenna and talked me into coming and we have been coming together since then.
Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: My goal is 5 days. The Lean and Strong class is where the love of weight training started for me.
Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Deadlifts.
Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Typically something with chicken.
Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: Keeping the workouts fresh and fun so we stay motivated is the most challenging part of working out.
Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: Accountability! Having a workout partner helps. The days you don’t feel like going you go because you know the other person is expecting to go.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Join a group, get familiar with the exercises, and meet the people. Give yourself time. Once you get into the habit of going it just becomes a part of your routine.
Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: Squats! I’m fairly tall and I was so worried about hurting myself that I didn’t even want to try. I joined the Lean and Strong class where we got familiar with weight training and by taking it slow and learning the proper way to do it I’m now able to squat without much worry. Do I like doing squats? No but I definitely can.
Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I can do some pretty amazing things in the gym that I didn’t even know I could do but I think what I’m most proud of is that Abby and I keep going. We are busy with all kinds of activities with our families and we have busy jobs but no matter what we go! We may not always get the best workout in but we always try to make it to the gym.
Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: I’m working on some nutrition goals now.
Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I’m a crazy sports mom!!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: THE PEOPLE!!