Maren

I am happy, strong and incredibly healthy, but that hasn’t always been my truth. After making some lazy and unhealthy choices in the first 3 years of mother hood and while enduring deployments as a spouse of a soldier, I saw many of my friends getting weight loss surgery to surprise their husbands upon their homecoming I wanted that too! I was excited to go to the Dr weighing in at 273lbs my heaviest ever and leave with a date to get my skinny on!!! But, that is not what happened, my Dr. told me that I was far too healthy for surgery and that she knew I could do it on my own. She taught me how to fill my plate and sent me on my way, normally I would have stopped to get some takeout on the way home to fill the disappointment, but not that day, instead I went to a gym, I walked in and hired the first trainer I saw. I started 2 days later with her and continued without her after moving to our next duty station, and while losing 120 lbs took me 2 years, it is the BEST thing that has ever happened to me being turned down for that surgery! This challenging work and dedication to myself, propelled me into a WHOLE new world that I loved! I found inspiration everywhere and motivated myself to get to the gym, to eat foods that fueled my body and aided in my goals, little did I know that I was providing the same thing to many people I saw at the gym daily. Someone suggested I become a trainer, (me? Hahahahah was my instant thought) But it felt so right, so I buckled down and did it! I became certified with several certifying bodies and headed down another adventurous path in this new-found love of mine, I opened Transform Fitness and am proud to train all body types and journeys owning my own business has pushed me to do better and be better, So grateful for that! After several years as a trainer I became drawn to the world of bodybuilding, I wanted to be held accountable for a higher standard than the average gym goer, I embarked down what would end up being a very dark path…. See an over eater gets thrown into a world of obsessive counting and gets even more sick. I was pushing my body too hard, limiting foods that are wonderful and full of nutrient for the prize of looking “good” on stage. I developed poor body movements to grow vanity muscle and ended up quitting after a breakdown over a strawberry! I was left with several injuries (requiring surgery) and a nasty taste in my mouth, and again a feeling of wanting more…. For the next 2 years I went to the gym without a plan or purpose outside of being the best me inspired by my clietns, I knew there had to be more out there for me. I love my clients and providing them with plans, but I had nothing left for me after planning for them. Fast forward a knee surgery 2years ago and a very intense hip surgery just last Oct. I found crossfit 719 in March of 2016 after I was released to ease back into working out! I was terrified to even walk in, I gained 25lbs through my recovery and was in less than ideal shape. BUT I was welcomed with open arms, have been guided in lifts and technique, have been provided modifications to my injury, I FOUND that group of people that hold themselves to a higher standard, that push me, motivate me, inspire me, and love me for who I am. I have made great friends at 719, and since April have lost 14 inches, and 4% body fat and guess what the scale hasn’t moved at all I am thrilled to be gaining muscle and strength !!! I am so grateful for this journey! I am strong, happy and healthy again!!!!