March 9 Updates: Programming Updates & I’m in the paper!
Hi, TransFitters!
The weather outside is beautiful and it made me even more excited for the programming I am offering this spring. Some new folks have joined our group classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and personal training consultations continue to slowly roll in. I was featured in the Daily Hampshire Gazette a couple weeks ago, and I’m incredibly humbled both by the opportunity and the response. Continue reading for more thoughts on these things! But first, some programming news…
Powerlifting 101 starts in 11 days…
And there are just a few spots left! Learn to deadlift, overhead press, squat, and bench press in a supportive environment with some neighbors who will soon be friends! No experience necessary - we’ll meet you where you are. Let me know if you have questions, or register here.
Couch to 5k starts in 3 weeks!
Not a runner? Great! Join us as we go from the couch to walking, walk/running, running, or somewhere in between 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) at the Holyoke Pride Rainbow Run 5k on June 13. Program includes a running and strength training plan (yes, both!), weekly group runs in/near Burgy, and access to me - a trainer - for all your training questions. One way or another, we’ll get there together. Message me with questions, or register here.
Training Slots Available - Persona/Semi-Private, In-person/Virtual
I’m currently booking the following time slots: Tuesdays at 3pm and 4pm, and Wednesdays at 9am, 11am, and 1pm. Book a consultation here to see if I’m a good fit for you or to reserve you’re slot.
Gazette Article
I sent out a press release about my business opening to a bunch of news outlets a couple months ago and it has slowly popped up in a few places but there largely wasn’t much of a response (though I do highly recommend doing this if you are a small business owner!). So I was surprised to get a message from Sam Gelinas at the Daily Hampshire Gazette a couple weeks ago asking to interview me for a feature in the Business section.
If you’ve been paying any attention to how transgender folks are covered in the news over the past, well… ever? Then you might understand my hesitation to be in the spotlight, as well as why I might lean into the opportunity to help a local reporter get some insight into the everyday life of a local trans business owner and community member - I’m truly just a normal person, as boring/exciting as the average person has the capacity to be.
Ever since the article was published a couple weeks ago, folks have introduced themselves to me at the Y and on the street and clients have told me how proud they are of me and, sometime, how grateful they are to have more insight into the life of a transgender person. I think he did a pretty good job painting my story, and I even got a couple of laughs myself while reading it.
The main takeaways I hope everyone can get from it are:
There is no one path to fitness or wellness; I hope to be able to share some useful information with folks who choose to work with me, but I also know that my path is not the one that everyone would - or should - choose
My practice is not only for transgender or queer folks. While I aim to provide a safe and affirming space for folks with those identities to grow on their individual fitness journey, my spaces are open to all (unless very specifically indicated - but you won’t have to guess or read between the lines!) The only expectation is that folks in spaces I facilitate should also work to provide a safe and affirming space for trans and queer folks in those spaces.
Click here to read my recent feature in the Business section of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and let me know what you think!
Are you on Instagram? Follow me here for behind-the-scenes and more regular updates.
As always, let me know if you have any programming ideas/requests, including new class times.
Until next time,
J