This guest blog from NGPT Client Amy Cope was first published in May 2013. Our upcoming Inferno seemed like a great time to pull out this inspirational piece to help you decide, “To Inferno or Not to Inferno?”

To Inferno or Not to Inferno, That is the Question…

To my great surprise right before the last Inferno, my answer to this question became “yes”. My 3P group at the time included Philip Himebaugh, who had just been diagnosed with some frightening medical news but was still determined to compete. Our wonderful 3P group banded together and decided as many of us that were able would also compete with Phil in a show of support and love. This was 6 days before the Inferno. Not a lot of training time for this 46 year old who has already had one full knee replacement and was unable to TRX plank for a full minute. And when I say unable, I mean, “whole body shaking, falling face down on the ground unable to hold it” unable, not just a little wobbly leg syndrome. But we had committed to Phil, so I would attempt to plank to the death if necessary. I was able to hold my plank for a measly 36 seconds on my first day of training. Something really amazing happened that day, though. Several people happened to be around while I was trying and they started chiming in, “you can do it, Amy!” I’ll be honest, a huge factor in not chickening out was that the entire event was to help a beautiful little 4 year old girl with leukemia whose courage knew no bounds. How could I say that I wasn’t even willing to try to plank for 60 stupid seconds when this sweet girl had been so brave and had so many chemo treatments? Over the next several days on Facebook and in person, at least 50 people told me that they knew I had a one minute plank in me—that it was a mental block and not a physical one. Even though I still wasn’t so sure, every day that week I trained at home, at the studio and at the Iron Pit. Planking off the tub, off the couch, off my office chair-I cared about completing nothing else in the competition—I just wanted to complete the plank! Surely that wasn’t too much to ask! The day of the competition quickly came and I felt extremely nervous. I was called fairly early, got myself in those TRX straps and immediately felt like I might lose my protein bar all over the floor. But my 3P posse, Geno Hopkins, Phil Himebaugh and Rebecca Veidlinger surrounded themselves around me. Bill Howard started hollering in my ear and Marcey Tidwell, who was planking next to me, called out encouragement through the whole time. I had the amazing poster that Mindy Metzcar made for me on the floor in front of me reminding me that I could do it; that failing was not an option. I felt like everyone in the room was cheering me on. To my complete amazement and profound relief, I did it! I actually did it! More importantly, I did it with no problem. Every single doubt that I had in myself was unfounded and false. The rest of the day was sort of a blur but was an amazing ride. The competitors with the top 5 rowing scores were to advance to the next round. Anyone want to venture a guess about how many women were in the Advanced Division (over 40)? Yep, FIVE. So I ended up going on to do the push-ups and the kettle bell swings. I wasn’t able to complete the whole round, but I darned well finished all 75 of the push-ups and over 30 kettle bell swings. The surge of power and confidence was electrifying. The whole day was beyond inspirational, culminating in Adam’s amazing deadlifting prowess, all for little Taylor K. I had tears in my eyes the entire time he was lifting as did most of the folks in the room. It was life-changing and many times since then it has made me challenge my own perceived limitations. Try a Hindu push-up? You bet! One-legged body-builders? Heck, yes. Deadlifts of half of my body weight? YES. So my question to you is this. Why wouldn’t you want to try the Inferno? I wonder what doors could swing open for you…

Each week, we celebrate our “board movers” at the studio, people that have hit a benchmark in their weight loss at the 30 lbs mark or higher. The “board” is a great motivator and demonstration of what is possible, it serves as an inspiration and an accountability tool. This week, Sue Reynolds joins our 90 lbs club and shared her reflection about NGPT for our Culture Book. We thought it was a great time to share her story and celebrate her success. Congrats, Sue!

Two and a half years ago, when I started NGPT, I couldn’t walk a half block or even tie my own shoes. Last summer, I ran five triathlons. I even “podiumed” a few times for the 60-64 age group! Last week, I hiked several miles on the Appalachian Trail and this weekend, I’m running in my first 10K race. What a transformation!

I’ve never thought of NGPT as a place to lose weight. Rather, NGPT is simply a place to gain health. NGPT provides everything I need: nutrition plan, exercise program, accountability system and most importantly, a culture of high expectations coupled with all the support and caring needed for success. When I’m describing NGPT, I always talk about the relationships I’ve developed there first – the culture of caring and support.

Caring was felt during my first class (Core Cardio). Someone who I had never met before offered to be my partner for the evening and took the time to help me at each station and assured me that the first class is grueling for everyone. I was so appreciative of her kindness. I also appreciated the trainer’s support as she provided alternative exercises for each station without making me feel like a failure. I distinctly remember how proud I felt when she yelled “Good job, Sue!” as I was struggling up Jacob’s Ladder. The trainers know what motivates each client and they strive to customize their support for each individual.

Kindness also came daily from my nutrition coach. She became a trusted “pen pal” that I wrote to every night and encouraged me via emails and text messages. I was pretty good about following the nutrition plan, but one time I ate a third of a LARGE jar of cocoa-dusted almonds (ugh!). Instead of scolding me, Barb praised me for throwing the remaining two thirds down the garbage disposal! I was so grateful that instead of pointing out my failure, she celebrated my success.

At the heart of this culture is NGPT’s founder / owner. I love hearing Adam say “Niiiiiiice!” when I weigh in. Adam has a clear vision of the kindness that he wants clients to experience at NGPT. He models that kindness and hires people who share his passion for helping people.

The most wonderful aspect of NGPT is that I’ve made friends there that have also become friends outside of NGPT. After doing my first triathlon, I learned there were other women at NGPT like me who were beginning to train to do their first triathlon. We got together, started calling ourselves the Go Girls, and all worked to help each other prepare for a triathlon last summer. Our goal was to finish and every one of us did! One overcame a significant fear of swimming. Another overcame a fear of swimming in open water. One raced the day after getting out of a boot to protect her broken leg! We inspire each other. We talk triathlon. We talk NGPT. We have each other’s backs.

Really, that’s what NGPT is all about – a group of people caring about each other and having each other’s backs.

-Sue Reynolds

We are excited to introduce this new option to Next Generation with someone that can offer expertise and understands the culture of our program. Mindy Metzcar has been a client and team member and bring those experiences to her professional background and training to offer a unique program, The Cognitive Breakthrough Coaching Session.

Mindy has a master’s degree in social work and is a Licensed Social Worker. She has worked as a therapist, as a student in training and now as an employee, with the Counseling and Psychological Services office at IU where she has worked with clients seeking help for a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, goal achievement, time management, disordered eating, relationship concerns, and academic difficulties.

Have you ever struggled with motivation to get out of bed for that 6am workout? Tempted to ditch the plan and eat what you want instead? Do you find yourself hitting some mental and/or emotional barriers to your fitness and health goals? It’s common for us to have mental/emotional barriers that can get in the way of our goals. For example, when I am stressed I am far more likely to eat sugary, fatty foods as my way of self-soothing.

Unfortunately this “strategy” backfires every time and I end up feeling worse than when I was stressed and staying on plan. Through my personal, educational, and professional experiences in the field of social work, I have researched food addiction, compulsive overeating, emotional eating, and various other food issues. Perhaps the most important finding of my research and experiences is that ignoring these barriers leads to stagnant progress, and often reverse progress and momentum. One way to address the barriers is to talk with someone about your experiences and the challenges you are facing. It’s common to want to handle such barriers on our own, but as you know from working out in the studio, you work harder when you work with others! The Cognitive Breakthrough Coaching Sessions will give you the opportunity to confidentially explore and address the barriers you encounter, as well as develop healthy prevention strategies for the future. The first session will be spent assessing your needs and concerns and developing a plan for hitting your cognitive breakthrough goals. In subsequent sessions we will work collaboratively to make those breakthroughs!

Sessions are priced at $50/hour for one session, or $40/hour if you purchase 2 or more. If you have questions, contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to breaking those barriers with you!!

By special guest blogger: Mary Ann Bough

I can’t believe I am writing about the completion of my first Triathlon. My journey began in January of 2012 at NGPT. At that point, there was no way this would be possible. It wasn’t even a blip on my radar! At that time, I just hoped that I wouldn’t die in the middle of class. A group of women originally from our 3P group (and we adopted a few more along the way), proposed this idea about 10 weeks prior to the race. My initial reaction….heck NO! I had just healed from stress fractures and was concerned with what would happen if I resumed running. I also had a “small issue” with the swimming - I couldn’t even do a lap in the pool without drowning. With some great encouragement from Coach Barb Tapp, I decided to take swimming lessons and make a go of this. Once I signed up….there was no turning back. I spent the next several weeks at the pool taking every lesson possible. I had friends in the triathlon group and outside who worked with me. I am forever grateful to each of them for supporting, encouraging, and teaching me.

Triathletes!
Ruth Dube, Megan Flavin, MaryAnn Bough, Barb Tapp, Sue Reynolds, Barb White, and Jerrilyn Kean

I came home and posted my race results (1:49:49), shared the news with my friends who couldn’t make it, and looked through pictures. I was basking in the post-race buzz. But only now do I truly realize what the race meant to me. I didn’t do this for anybody else. I did it for me! I conquered my own fears/anxieties, overcame my physical issues, and persuaded myself to accomplish a goal I never imagined I could do. Almost two years ago, a 5K seemed impossible, let alone swimming without the assistance of flotation devices. On August 24, 2013, I finished a triathlon. The knowledge of my own strength and the depth of my determination will stay with me for life.

Ten weeks ago I made a commitment. I didn’t know what it would take, how it would affect me, or how far I’d have to reach inside myself to do it. I didn’t realize how much the commitment to myself would teach me about the life I live, and the life I want to live. Ten weeks ago, I signed up for a triathlon. And today, after crossing the finish line, I am a changed woman.