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 Brittany!
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 Minnesota with just my parents and brothers. Both of my parents grew up on the west coast (Mom from CA and Dad from WA) so we spent time visiting family here growing up.
When I graduated from college, I didn't have a job so I moved out here to help my Grandma after she had hip surgery. It was so nice spending time with and getting to know my family better. My brother ended up out here with work and we both stayed! We both started careers in hotels and our roots settled.
My first thought when moving here was that it was temporary because I never wanted to lose the nostalgia I had coming as a kid. But then family became more important and it was so nice to build deeper relationships with my uncle and cousins.
What do you miss about your hometown?
I miss my mom, brother, and friends. And I miss the true feeling of "home"...
I love WA but I don't think it can ever replace MN as "home". However, I do not miss the mosquitoes and the humidity - terrible summer combination!!
What is your favorite thing about Seattle?
My favorite thing about Seattle is being with and around my family. I have even become "Santa" for our annual Christmas get together!
I am pretty important :)
WA is also one of the most beautiful places I have seen. My all-time favorite thing to do here is ride the ferry - doesn't matter the weather - and visit the Ye Old Curiosity Shop down on the waterfront.
My Dad used to take us there as kids to get prank stuff to pull on my Grandma and Aunt - can't get in trouble if he was the instigator, right?!
What (who) brought you to Reign? How long have you been training with Reign?
Christmas of 2017, Ashley came to me and told me that she had been stalking a gym in the area and they were putting on a New Years Challenge. She talked me into joining her on this 40 day venture to get healthy and that would be our Christmas presents to each other.
I honestly never thought I would join at the end of the challenge. But after spending one week with this community, I was sold! And now 14 months later, we are joining the team because we believe in Albert and Mesha's vision and ability to make a difference in people's lives.
What is the most significant change - whether social, physical, mental…you have experienced since you have been here?
Well I have definitely grown in all of these areas!
As much as I would like to say that I have changed the most physically (almost 40 lbs lost and down 8% body fat), I truly believe that I have changed the most mentally.
I have learned to believe in myself and the system... and that being successful takes time, patience, and sometimes even failure. I have had to shift the way I think about health all together and this has changed my entire lifestyle - the way I think about food, working out, gratitude and my own mental health.
What did you do before fitness to be active or did you always workout?
I was extremely overweight as a kid and got into basketball when I was in middle school. I fell in love with it so my parents ended up sending me to a fitness camp when I was 14. This jump started my love for being athletic and strong.
That year, I lost 70 lbs and got to enjoy most of high school as an athlete - playing basketball and throwing shot put and discus for the track team. My goal heading off to college was not to gain the "freshman 15" so I began working out 6 days a week (2 hours/day) and played basketball on coed intramural teams (or pickup games at the gym).
I was able to hold on to this lifestyle until my senior year with a full credit load and two jobs. Since then I have struggled to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Until Reign, that is :)
Share your favorite memory so far at Reign?
I really enjoyed our first challenge and being on the Wonder Women team!
It was so amazing to be a part of such a motivating and strong community! And the Friday Night Lights were inspiring.
I remember turning to Richard, my boyfriend, during one of the Friday Nights Lights and telling him that I wanted to be able to participate the next time an event like that was held!
Just to name another one: My very first class at Reign was super challenging and I ended up collapsing twice when my legs gave out from doing walking lunges. Every time I am hard on myself for my performance or have a hard workout, I take myself back there - just so I can remember how far I have come!
What are your goals or aspirations leading in 2019?
My most important goal is consistency!
I want to make sure I remind myself why I am building this healthy lifestyle. I want to reach my goal weight this year, but more importantly, I want to be strong, have energy and prove to myself I can continue to improve!
My ultimate goal since I have been in HS was to do one pull up ... so I am going to keep working on skills that will allow me to get there someday!
First CD you bought & Favorite Movie of all time...
So I am pretty sure my first CD was Backstreet Boys, however I did enjoy a good Gloria Estefan cassette tape in the car with my Mom!
Turn the Beat around was my jam!
My all time favorite movie is Remember the Titans. I have officially owned two DVD's (because I wore the first one out) and own it on Amazon Prime :)
What are your hobbies outside of Reign?
When I am not at the gym, I am typically spending time with Richard, my family and the pup, Bentley. I am obsessed with my Niece, Olivia (2 yrs), and Nephew, Nathan (9 mos). They light up my life and truly put into perspective what is important.
When I am not playing with the kiddos, Richard is catching me up on all the important movies I have missed in my time!
I am sure I will miss some but since we have been dating, I have watched all 27 of the Marvel movies (including X-Men), 10 DC movies, Rocky 1-5, Creed 1-2 ... and the Harry Potter series is next! I also like to target shoot.
What's your spirit animal? And Favorite Superhero or Villain? Why?
My spirit animal is a Stingray.
The stingray symbolizes maneuverability, sensitivity, aggression when provoked but encourages the practice of restraint. This animal teaches balance in emotion and overreaction - teaching you to observe and think before reacting.
Well now that I have watched every single superhero movie?
I think my favorite character is Jean Gray from X-Men.
She is caring and nurturing but deals with a dark side that she must learn to control. I find her relevant to real life (obviously on a much smaller scale). And her powers are bad-ass!
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 Wisconsin - Madison and graduated with a B.S. in Communications with a Business Certificate.
Once I got past the homesickness, I loved it! I made really good friends and memories during my time there. I also learned to let loose and have fun - taught me that getting a 'B' was okay if it meant I had a social life!
What advice would you give to anyone looking to start their fitness journey?
1. You just have to get in the door - the hardest part is showing up!
2. Have fun - don't stress so much about the numbers and instead feel the changes in your body, energy and mood. That is when I find I am the happiest.
3. Remember the community - you aren't alone on this journey. There are so many people who are there to support and motivate. Immerse yourself.
One interesting fact about yourself?
I spent 9 months in Hawaii learning to train dolphins and sea lions after college. It was one of the most fulfilling positions I have ever had.
They are amazing animals!
Share a training or nutrition strategy that plays an important role in your everyday?
MEAL PREP!!! I struggle with this sometimes but when I successfully meal prep for the week, my stress is so much lower, my body feels good during my workouts and my sleep is better!
What are you looking forward to the most about joining the Reign Fitness Team?
I want to make a difference in someone's life (big or small). I am so inspired by how life changing it has been for me to join this community that I want to be a part of creating those moments for other people. I am thankful to Mesha and Albert giving me this platform to give back and bring meaningfulness into my own life.
AND...
Fill In The Blank...
I Love... naps.
I Am... an animal lover. I have a dog and bearded dragon.
I Wish... Flamin' Hot Cheetos were healthy (and that laundry folded itself).
I Eat… Smarties when I need to concentrate.
