A Touching Message from a Student Sends Her into the Spotlight
This week’s student spotlight is a little different than normal. It features Lauren Sullivan who has been part of the family for a while now. In emailing her briefly over recovery week, she sent me an email back that I think everyone needs to read. I have cleared it with Lauren to share, so please take 5 minutes out of your day to read what she has to say.
"Thank you so much, coach Adam! I really appreciate that! I love it at Get Fit, and I actually like working out now (which I never thought I would be able to say) hehe. You guys have made a real difference in my life! Thank you for helping me get my health and well being back on track! I first joined because of Amy, of course, but what I don't think I ever shared is that I was looking for something like this at that time. Specifically I was looking for some type of outlet. My Father passed very unexpectedly because of going into anaphylactic shock from an antibiotic he took daily. This took place in October before I started and I was having a super tough time with his death, including coming to terms with how and why he passed. So I decided to see a grievance counselor for just short of a year, and also knew I needed to find my own outlet to release some of the built up emotions. I feel I was brought here for a reason, and I have always felt welcomed, supported, and never judged - 3 things I would have never imagined I could have found, but learned quickly that I had actually found a place that embodied just that! The culture that you guys promote, the support of all the staff, and the personal touch goes above and beyond! I am so grateful and appreciative I found Get Fit as an establishment!
Lauren is in the middle receiving her "I survived" shirt!
I saw Cherie at Sandy's the other day and we often do end up talking to each other about different things relating to and supporting one another after both losing our fathers, and this particular day I ended up talking about how Get Fit and also you, have made SUCH a difference in my life! We talked all about the fact that a lot of my reasons for continuing at Get Fit was because of your support and encouragement, as well as being inspired by you as a coach and a mentor. As you know, when I first came to Get Fit it was evident I hadn't worked out in years lol! But, that was a part of my fear, and because of you and the team, the fact that I hadn't worked out in forever never held me back from wanting to get better (which has been a factor in the past of not sticking with things I had tried)! I had 101 fears when I first started from things like not being accepted, or about being judged, feeling a lack of confidence in my ability, and even fearing I would I wouldn't stick with it based on my level of ability and hoping I wouldn't be ostracized by other members for it. As I'm sure you know, no member of Get Fit will ever have to worry about that- or any of those things for that matter! I love it at Get Fit, and so much of that is because of you and your support! I feel a part of a community, and I couldn't be more grateful for the experience I've had! I told Cherie that, and it made me think I should probably tell you, because your coaching has really impacted my journey here in a positive way! So, thank you very much! I appreciate it! This experience as a whole has made a huge difference in my life!"
It took a lot of guts to not only share this with me, but to also allow me to share it with all of you as well. Lauren deserves a big hand for doing so. I hope that Lauren's story can help you all in some way or another, I know it helps me!
-Coach Adam