We created the Kilo Club because Curtis joined the SHOP right after we opened our doors. And then he has shown up just about every day since then. 

Well, the SHOP has made my life better! There’s a lot to this answer. Many of the benefits have been slow for me to realize. Starting year 8 of my SHOP membership I have a lot I can reflect on. First off, the improvements to my health are massive: Stronger – just no doubt on that one, cardio – no doubt there either, my nose only rowing and biking are what used to be my max, mobility and balance – had not realized how much I had lost until starting at the SHOP. I’m way leaner, gained a bit here with the past 2 years, but still 30 lbs lighter than when I started without really dieting. However, the emphasis on performing just led to better food habits along with the great insights from the SHOP. I did the personalized training and nutrition for a year and it paid off big time. In my late fifties my base line metrics like blood pressure and weight and body mass were going the wrong way. That is all corrected now and has been for years. Now at 67 years, my medical visits always start with some surprise that I take no meds, I guess that is not common at my age. These are all physical benefits that happened just by showing up and trying.

The other huge thing has been the people I’ve met. Some I now feel like are part of my family, I’ve become close friends with some people, friends with others, and I feel like everyone I’ve worked out with has enhanced my life. I originally felt like everyone could do this, and I tried to recruit people I know without success. Sadly, a few of them are now dead because they would not motivate themselves. I now feel the opposite, that very few people can actually do what we all do. Somehow, to be at the SHOP you have to get pleasure out of watching other people succeed. It’s just not enough to do it for yourself. You have to like the team effort, you have to like other people encouraging you. It’s kind of funny that way. If you don’t work at it, of course you can’t enjoy the benefits. If you’re not patient with your improvements, you’ll be unhappy. But I’ve decided if you can’t enjoy those partner and team WODS and seeing others get healthier you probably won’t like it overall. (It doesn’t hurt to be a little competitive either!!).

I’m sure I can write more and will think of things as soon as I hit submit. My last thought is how healthy it is to have something in your day that always has you laughing and smiling at something: yourself, your teammates, your coaches. Pretty great for your mental health and cognitive skills!