AUGUST 2019 MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Keri Lehman

• What got you started with Prime Fitness?

I wanted to get back in shape after having my second child. I wanted a place that would hold me accountable, push me to believe that I could do hard things, and a place that would encourage me. I saw a Facebook post about the 21 day trial at Prime Fitness and I decided to go for it. After one session, I knew Prime was the place for me.

• What’s your motivation?

My children. I want to be the best version of myself for them. And of course all of the trainers at Prime. I never knew I was capable of accomplishing the things I have accomplished so far, like a 70 pound goblet squat! Their constant encouragement motivates me to push myself to be the best, strongest person I can be.

• What positive changes have you seen in yourself since starting?

My energy, my attitude, my patience, my nutrition… EVERYTHING! Prime has taught me to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. It is also a great therapy session after a long day of teaching high school kids!

• What’s your biggest tip or piece of advice for someone who is just beginning their fitness journey?

Just do it. Believe in yourself. You can do anything you set your mind to. Yes it will be tough and there will be days where you feel like giving up, but I promise you will not regret showing up and staying committed.

• What is your favorite part of working out at Prime Fitness?

The trainers, the members, the atmosphere, all of it. Prime is not just a “gym” for me, it is like my second home and I look forward to each and every class (even if it includes a 500 meter row or some crazy amount of ball slams)! I am so blessed to call everyone at Prime Fitness my family.

• What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

What free time!? Just kidding. I love spending time with my husband and children! And of course getting in as much pool time as possible!

• What is your favorite family tradition?

Going to the beach every summer to visit my grandmother. It’s crazy and hectic, but some of my most favorite memories are made there.

• What is something that you want to do in the next year that you have never done before?

A pull up! Without the bands!

• What was the first concert you ever went to?

Sheryl Crow!!!!

• If all your clothes had to be one color forever, what color would you pick?

Black! Everyone looks fabulous in black, right?!

JULY 2019 MEMBER OF THE MONTH: John Wilson

• What got you started with Prime Fitness?

I had just completed Physical Therapy to recover from an ACL and Meniscus reconstruction surgery and not only was I unhappy with my weight but wanted to really focus on making my knee stronger and better than before. Joining Prime was one of the best decisions I have made.

• What’s your motivation?

Like I said before, I want my knee and my body to be stronger than it ever was before my knee surgery. My knee had been hurt for about 8 years – even before it was so bad that I had to have the surgery – and it held me back from doing a lot of things I wanted to do. My biggest motivation is if I can help it, I don’t want my body ever holding me back again from something I want to do.

• What positive changes have you seen in yourself since starting?

Well, first my total body and strength in general is leaps and bounds better from before. I can fit into clothes again that I haven’t been able to wear for 5 or 6 years since college and collectively my overall mood and energy level is so much better than it’s been the last few years. 

• What’s your biggest tip or piece of advice for someone who is just beginning their fitness journey?

Don’t be afraid to jump right in and give 100% every time you walk in the gym. My biggest thing since day 1 has been “don’t leave a round or a rep on the table”, and this looks different for everyone. When you look at the board with the workout for the day, have a goal and a plan for what you would like to accomplish that day and push yourself to meet that goal! You will be so proud of what you are able to accomplish if you give it your all every time. 

• What is your favorite part of working out at Prime Fitness?

The people, everyone at Prime is great. Whether it be the trainers or fellow members, everyone wants to see you succeed and not only reach but surpass your goals.

• What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love spending time with my wife Madison and our THREE dogs, but I also enjoy a round of golf, watching sports, and smoking meat. 

• If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?

Singing. I love attempting to sing but it’s an unfortunate experience for anyone within earshot…

• What was the first concert you ever went to?

Eric Church on Cinco De Mayo of 2012

• What is your favorite song from when you were a teenager that you still love to listen to?

It wasn’t produced when I was a teenager, but my hitting song in high school baseball was California Love by Tupac and to this day I still love it. 

JUNE 2019 MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Mechale Brewer

• What got you started with Prime Fitness?

I was at a Christmas party three years ago and heard a conversation two friends were having about Prime Fitness. I was curious and asked a lot of questions. They encouraged me to come with them and try it out. I joined that week!

• What’s your motivation?

Knowing that I am the only person that can take care of me is my motivation. When I feel good, it makes me a happier person.

• What positive changes have you seen in yourself since starting?

Not only do I have more energy and my knees no longer hurt, but my recent lab results were all within normal range. This was a big improvement from three years ago. My doctor told me I was the perfect example of doing what it takes to make a positive change in my health.

• What’s your biggest tip or piece of advice for someone who is just beginning their fitness journey?

Keep an extra packed gym bag in your car that you never take out. Trust me one day you will forget to pack your shoes and you will be glad you had an extra pair in your car!

• What is your favorite part of working out at Prime Fitness?

All the amazing coaches and new friends that I have made along the way. I love that the members celebrate your successes with you.

• What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

Spending time with my family whether it’s dinner and a movie at home, or fishing on the lake.

• If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?

Play the guitar.

• What is something that you want to do in the next year that you have never done before?

Go to New York and do all things touristy.

• What is your favorite song from when you were a teenager that you still love to listen to?

Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

MAY 2019 MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Misty Pugh

• What got you started with Prime Fitness?

I met Sara through my daughter’s dance studio and I was really impressed with how well she worked with the dancers and how much she supported them. Story Dae (my daughter) talked about Miss Sara all the time. My friend Deleann was going to Prime and kept asking me to go with her. I really really really wanted to try it but I was so intimidated. After years of saying “I really want to try it” I finally bit the bullet and called Sara. I knew I needed to make some changes for my mental and physical wellbeing. I swear when Sara walked me through the warm up I thought it was the actual workout. I couldn’t even foam roll right. I was a mess. Regardless, I came back the next day and the next and the next.

• What’s your motivation?

This is a tough one. Shortly after I started my friend Deleann suggested that we write our “Why” on the board. I was still pretty new and had no idea what to write so I scribbled something short, sweet and from the heart. I didn’t think about what I wrote for at least 2 months. Later I hit a pretty dark time and I was struggling really hard one night when out of the blue I remembered the “Why” board. I had written “I want to live”. Something so simple and probably unremarkable to anyone reading it. Then I decided that that’s exactly what I was going to do. That’s my motivation. Nothing fancy and maybe a little selfish but I want to live. I want to be happy and healthy for my kids. They’ve witnessed me carry a pretty heavy load the last few years and I think I’m showing them right now that sometimes life will bounce multiple lemons off of your face but you can come out stronger/better on the other side. 

• What positive changes have you seen in yourself since starting?

I’ve definitely noticed a physical change which is awesome but the best change I’ve noticed is my inner voice. I’m my biggest critic and my inner voice was savage. After 7 months I still whisper to myself “I did that” when I finish a heavy set or complete a bear crawl box without stopping. Anyone who has worked out with me has probably heard me say that out loud. I celebrate me now. I’ll text my kids after a workout and tell them if I’ve lifted heavier or reached some new goal and they celebrate me too. That is the best feeling ever!

• What’s your biggest tip or piece of advice for someone who is just beginning their fitness journey?

Don’t be afraid to get started today because you won’t regret it tomorrow. Don’t think about where you think you should be on your fitness journey. Accept where you are and set reasonable goals…then work to achieve those goals. Also, don’t underestimate how much nutrition plays into your journey. You can undo all the hard work you do in the gym if you have poor eating habits. 

• What is your favorite part of working out at Prime Fitness?

I love everything about it…even the bear crawls and the rower. Sincerely I love the people. My 8am/9am crew is amazing. I feel like we laugh and bond over a shared goal…cheering each other on and encouraging each other to finish strong. I genuinely love the coaches and feel like they celebrate my accomplishments as much (if not more) than I do. You guys changed my life and I am forever grateful to be a part of the Prime Family. 

• What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love hanging out with my kids, reading and listening to true crime podcasts. I know it makes me sound old, but I crochet like a mad woman.

• If you could have any song play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

Sweet Home Alabama, because Roll Tide!

• What is your strangest/funniest talent?

I can snap my toes and clap with one hand. I didn’t have many toys growing up sooooooo I worked with what I had. Great party tricks when you are in college but seriously alarming as an adult.

• If you could pick three famous people to be part of your entourage, who would you pick and why?

Ice Cube, The Rock, and Eleanor Roosevelt. I think they would fit in with the rest of my crew and would be down for some Misty Shenanigans. I’m not talking lower back tattoos or anything…maybe some slam poetry in a Denny’s lounge @ 3am.

In this week’s edition of #TechniqueTipTuesday Vinny and Charlie discuss and demo the Reverse Lunge. This is an outstanding lower body movement that can benefit both strength and stability! Check it out!

Check out this week’s TTP Tuesday as Charlie and Vinny demonstrate the Landmine Row.

Congratulations to Jamie and Rachel for crushing the February Challenge. They finished the month with 11,993 MEPs!! Congrats to Michele and Ben for coming is second with 10,849 MEPs and Mark and David for finishing third with 7,623 MEPs

Trevor is as intelligent as he is kind. He is an incredible asset to our coaching staff and we are proud to welcome him to our team!

APRIL 2019 MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Gabby Ezell

What got you started with Prime Fitness? 

A good friend was telling me about her fitness journey and the gym she went to. I was at a point in my life I where I wanted to start making some changes, starting with my physical health. I had no idea where to get started so I decided to go to a class with her and the rest is history.

What’s your motivation?

PROGRESS and PROGRESSION!!! Feeling myself become stronger with every workout, doing things I never thought I could do. Doing better than I did yesterday.

What positive changes have you seen in yourself since starting?

How much mentally stronger I have become; that’s probably the best part for me. Don’t get me wrong, the physical change I have seen in myself has been awesome, but I was never someone who would go to the gym, let alone push a weighted prowler or do chin ups.

What’s your biggest tip or piece of advice for someone who is just beginning their fitness journey?

NEVER GIVE UP!!!! It’s going to be hard, but when you come out on the other side everything will be worth it. Don’t give up!! Trust me, this is coming from the girl in the back of the class who could barely hold an iso beast for no more than 7 seconds.

What is your favorite part of working out at Prime Fitness?

The people!!! I have never felt more at home at a gym before. I love the fact that we are all normal people encouraging each other to live a healthier lifestyle. I was always intimidated by personal trainers and kettlebells, now they are two of my favorite things!!

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? 

I love to read a good mystery or Syfi book and spend time with my husband and my two fur babies.

If you could have any song play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

Crazy in Love –  Beyoncé and Jay Z

If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?

Parkour 

What is something that you want to do in the next year that you have never done before? 

Climb one of the Seven Summits

What is your favorite song from when you were a teenager that you still love to listen to? 

Ohh there are soo many!! Dainty Kane- Show Stopper was me and my sisters’ favorite song in high school.