Last week, we announced Ashley and Brittany joining the Reign Team as our newest Admin/Member Relations Team!
We are beyond excited to have these two amazing ladies who are passionate about our community working hard to make our Reign Community even better.
But first…
We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to learn a little more about them so, we sent them a little interview style questionnaire to answer.
Hope you all enjoy and make sure to say Hi the next time you see them at the Gym working out or behind the Front Desk!
Here is Ashley!
I know both of you are transplants to Seattle. Where is your hometown and what brought you to Seattle? What were your first thoughts about coming here?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. My husband, Scott (also a Reign member), was an aspiring Brewer and there weren’t a ton of craft breweries in the southeast at that time. One of my childhood friends lived out here so we came to visit and fell in love with the scenery (there’s a volcano here?!?) and craft beer scene.
We honestly loved it from Day 1. We’re explorers at heart and the PNW is a whole new place for us to explore.
What do you miss about your hometown?
I miss my friends and family. We’ve made new friends and created our own family here, but it’s definitely hard being away from our parents, especially since having a kid.
I also miss having other UGA fans around - no one out here cares about Georgia Football like we do! Oh and central air conditioning!
Everyone said “it’s only hot a couple weeks out of the year” - the results are in, and THAT WAS A LIE!
What is your favorite thing about Seattle?
It’s beautiful.
There are REAL mountains here (the Northeast Georgia Mountains are just big hills), lakes, the sound….it’s gorgeous.
What (who) brought you to Reign? How long have you been training with Reign?
I started low-key stalking Reign on social media back in Fall 2017 before we moved from West Seattle to Renton. I knew I wanted to get into a gym to get out of the house more and drop the baby weight, but I was too chicken to come in by myself.
I ended up signing up for the New Years Challenge on Black Friday and managed to talk a couple of friends into joining me.
I officially started in January 2018 and haven’t looked back.
What is the most significant change - whether social, physical, mental…you have experienced since you have been here?
I think the physical change has been the most significant and what I’m most proud of, but honestly I’m in such a better place mentally than I was before I started here. I continue to surprise myself with what I can do during a workout, but I rarely go a day without being humbled, as well.
What did you do before fitness to be active or did you always workout?
I was a runner in college and that’s it, no long distances, just 3 miles a day. I never did any weight training/lifting until I started at Reign.
I don’t run anymore, and I know I’m in the minority, but I definitely enjoy when Albert makes us run around the parking lot during the summer.
Share your favorite memory so far at Reign?
It was during The Challenge when I first started at Reign, the very first Friday Night Lights.
I think that was my first time really seeing the community come together to cheer each other on, and the energy in the room was AMAZING.
It totally blew me away.
What are your goals or aspirations leading in 2019?
I really want to get below 30% body fat this year, although I’m really going to have to get my nutrition game on point. My husband recently started at Reign, so I also want to keep encouraging him to work hard and set goals for himself, as well.
First CD you bought & Favorite Movie of all time...
First CDs were “Ace of Base - The Sign” and “Yanni - Live at the Acropolis.” Seriously. And yes, I think I still have them if anyone wants to borrow one. All time favorite movie is “Hook.” Bangarang.
What are your hobbies outside of Reign?
Checking out new breweries with my husband and son, exploring new places in general - playgrounds we haven’t been to, restaurants, etc.
I love to travel but it’s hard with a toddler so I look forward to getting back into it once he’s older and more portable. I’m also into crafts, I enjoy cross-stitching while listening to podcasts and playing with my Cricut machine.
What's your spirit animal? And Favorite Superhero or Villain? Why?
Without taking a buzzfeed quiz to find out, I’m going to guess that my spirit animal is a wolf. I’m fiercely protective of my pack, but enjoy time spent alone to relax and recharge. Wolves also cover a lot of ground, I think, and I feel like I do that, too. I’m not a carnivore, however, but I’m sure there are pescatarian wolves out there, right?
I’ve never really been into superheroes (do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles count?), but my favorite Villain is probably Dark Helmet from “Spaceballs.” I loved the movie “Spaceballs” when I was a kid (still do), but looking back on it now, I have no idea why my parents ever allowed me to watch it at such a young age.
So many great lines from Rick Moranis! “What’s the matter, Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?”
I know both of you went to College, What school did you go to? What did you study? How did you Like it?
I went to the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) and majored in Anthropology.
I loved it.
I had an opportunity to take an internship at the CDC in Atlanta when I graduated and I passed it up to stay in my college town - I would say that I regret that, but I never would’ve met my husband if I had moved, so ultimately it was a good thing.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to start their fitness journey?
GET A DXA BODY SCAN! I wish I had gotten one when I first started at Reign so I could see a complete picture of my progress. The scale doesn’t tell the whole story. Also, if you haven’t done a challenge at Reign, I would recommend doing at least one.
I learned a lot about myself doing challenges, and was able to get to know a lot of people during the team challenges.
One interesting fact about yourself?
Before we got married, my husband and I quit our jobs and spent a summer in rural Minnesota working on an organic farm. We lived with a family and helped them with their heritage breeds, including turkeys, chickens, and pigs.
We saw more stars out there than I’ve ever seen in my life, built giant bonfires, and drank Grain Belt Beer.
It was awesome.
Share a training or nutrition strategy that plays an important role in your everyday?
Honestly, just show up.
I’ve never regretted going to class, but I’ve definitely regretted skipping.
What are you looking forward to the most about joining the Reign Fitness Team?
I’m looking forward to having a job that I actually care about, that actually means something. I’ve never really had that, unless you count working on the farm or being a mom!
I can’t wait to spend more time getting to know the people that make up the Reign Community and welcome new members into our Reign family.
AND...
Fill In The Blank...
I Love...brunch.
I Am...an only child married to an only child with an only child.
I Wish...my son wasn’t allergic to dogs.
I Eat…a lot of fortune cookies.
