WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY
“In 2018 I developed a bacterial pneumonia that landed me in the hospital for many long days. I was told I was going to be on oxygen for the rest of my life. I was sick. I was out of shape. I was only 40 years old and I was laying in a hospital bed next to a 86 year old and I realized I didn’t want this life at all. I needed to find a way to get healthy and take care of myself. I always liked jogging and I didn’t really mind cardio workouts but didn’t really know where to start. One of my nurses in the hospital introduced me to the sport of Boxing and I fell in love instantly. I knew I needed to find a gym and start “fighting for my life” January of 2019 my fight began. I started working out at a corporate gym and I got really into sweating out my feelings. I was doing two a days quite often. I lost 25 pounds but I hit a plateau. My friend Sondra kept telling me I was wasting my time and money at this gym and that I really needed to check out Strive.”
She told me they have so much more to offer than just kickboxing classes. I was hesitant because I didn’t have enough confidence in myself to try something new. I stayed at my gym and grew bored and stuck at that plateau. During Covid I found new ways to workout at home buying myself medicine balls and weights and a bag to box in my basement. I was able to bust out of that plateau using at home workouts. Those workouts were convenient but so easy to walk away from if the doorbell rang or the dog barked. I needed structure. I needed accountability. January 2021 I saw Shawn’s post about a challenge and I remembered Sondi’s comments about how amazing the gym was so I joined the challenge. I took my first class with Beidy a Saturday morning Bootcamp and it was intense. I left the gym dripping in sweat and totally in love with the gym. I decided to become a member after my first class! I have now lost over 50 pounds and gained over 50 new friends. I have reached so many new personal records it brings tears to my eyes. I have done a 205 pound deadlift and a 24 inch box jump and ran a whole entire 5K without ever stopping these are amazing things to accomplish for a woman who was supposed to be on oxygen for the rest of her life… I love Strive I took my fitness experience to the next level becoming a member and I won’t ever regret this decision.
– Colleen Ryan
“My journey started back in June of 2020 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. I was so scared to join and started off with PT with Victoria and she was the perfect person to start with she didn’t make me feel bad when I first did my assessment she understood where I was starting and how to go forward. I had every reason to give up in the beginning I had two different surgeries after the first few months of starting but I got messages from the owners telling me they would help me get back into working out with modifications added just for me.”
I went to my first class workout and I was the slowest one last to finish and with all that weighing me down some amazing members asked me where I was at on the board workout and finished it with me and I knew then this gym was the best thing for me. I’ve had two different PT trainers who helped me in many ways I have taken over 100 classes with all different instructors each one teaching me how to better myself and push myself. I’ve done so many awesome events that I never thought I could ever finish but did. Everyday I meet some amazing people and always get an amazing workout I lost over 60 plus pounds and achieved almost all the goals I had for myself in the beginning of my journey and made new goals for myself that I would never have thought was possible. At Strive members and instructors remember you and remember how you started that is why I love Strive I’ve seen so many people push themselves giving it everything they’ve got even when they want to give up but they never do and that is what motivates me to show up everyday.
-Chasity Carmona
“Before joining Strive, I was depressed ALL the time, I had very low self-esteem, zero motivation and was uncomfortable in my own skin. I was letting doubt, fear and uncertainty control my life. I knew I needed to make a change, so in May of 2019, I walked through the door at Strive Brookfield – it was the best decision I ever made. It was the first (and hardest) step towards my fitness journey… and I haven’t looked back since!”
“I started Strive end of 2019 on a weight loss challenge. I was newly seperated, two boys, new house, job and just endless responsibilities that gave me an excuse to let myself go. I went through so many motions and attempts at working out at local fitness clubs and nothing could keep me motivated. I knew I needed more. Whether that meant more guidence, more training, or more people I could surround myself with that shared the same goals.”
I just needed more. After my first few classes, I noticed out of all the class options weight lifting was something I exceled at. Keep in mind, I come from a backround where weights are thought to be for men, weights make you bulky and not attractive. BOY WAS THAT WRONG! Strive has such a variety of classes you can pick and chose and my focus was weights and endurance (Kickboxing Hiit is amazing). Since I started, I have lost a total of about 36lbs. Please keep in mind I am naturally muscular so the change in my body is so much more noticable I do not focus on numbers. I went from not running at all to completing a 5k for my bday last year and again this coming year. Countless challenges have been completed and I am deadlifting 340lbs with the guidence of all of the amazing instructors and friends who push and believe in me! My circle of friends has changed, my priorities are different and my love for the gym is at an all time high. Just like a job, if you like what you do then it becomes a passion and enjoyable rather then dreaded. I am so appreciative for everyone at Strive. This is my second family and I am so excited to see what is in my future. I am a new me. Stronger, Confident and Motivate more than ever before. I wouldn’t be here without the Strive Fam!
– Meagan Zulik
“I joined Strive in November 2019 after spending several years at another fitness center. I immediately felt welcome and liked the family-like atmosphere of the instructors and the other members. I completed my first six week challenge that January and February losing 5 lbs and then Covid hit. I appreciated that Strive kept up online workouts multiple times per day and jumped into outdoor classes that spring. Every member I met was encouraging and every instructor brought his or her own unique knowledge and personality to each class. I loved that every class was different.”
“As a mom, sometimes it is hard to put ourselves first and self care can feel like a chore. I neglected my health for the last few years and although I always loved working out, I used the excuse that I didn’t have time for it.
In October 2020, I joined Strive mainly for kickboxing classes and not long after, I upgraded to the unlimited class membership. It really became an addiction! In less than 1 year, I completed 200+ classes and lost over 45+ lbs! I have participated in a few challenges plus the St. Patties Day class marathon, and most recently the 75 Hard Program, which has honestly changed my life!”
“I was introduced to Strive’s Midway location soon after it opened. I began with the punch card series taking classes once a week just to relieve some stress. Once a week turned into twice a week. With encouragement, I participated in a class marathon that peaked my interest in joining Strive’s challenges. The 35-day nutrition challenge changed everything for me. I discovered I was coping with stress with poor food habits and needed to commit to making a change for my overall well-being.”
“My dad was becoming very sick due to a host of health problems. One night he fell. It took 3 of us to lift him as he was dead weight due to Parkinson’s disease. It was then I decided I needed to do something. As I needed to be stronger because God forbid anything happens to my wife I need to be there to help.
2. When I was born I had water on the brain. Doctors told my parents to walk away. I’d be deaf and blind. I didn’t walk till I was 3. Now I am blind in one eye but I lead a good life.”
Meet Dan Kendrick!
He started out on a 6 week summer challenge in 2019.
He then had a coach for 1x per week and after a month it wasn’t enough.
He added classes with his personal training program.
Since then he has enrolled in unlimited classes and personal training for 2x per week with Mike!
He has surpassed his goals and has been consistent in his journey at Strive, at home and while on any vacation! It’s a way of life!
– Danny Kendrick
“Full time job, mother of three, and no time for myself. I was in need of change. At 42, I was the heaviest I had ever been, I was not sleeping, and I definitely was not feeling my best. I told myself there was not enough time to get in a workout. I didn’t want to infringe on anyone else’s schedule. There was no way I could get up early and I was too tired at the end of the day. No time! In June of 2019, I decided to make the change.”
“I was thin for most of my life, but once I graduated from UIC, my weight began climb. In 2010, I became a mom. Over the next 10 years, with each pregnancy, I gained more and more weight. I could never consistently lose weight. I would gain everything back each time. I lacked motivation and reached a point that I was content with my weight. It wasn’t until Father’s Day 2020 that I stepped on a scale and weighed more than the day I gave birth to my youngest. Enough was enough and I had to do something about it. My sister reached out to me the very next day and told me about a special her gym Strive had. It was meant to be!”
“I just celebrated 3 years as a personal training client at Strive, and I can honestly say walking through that door on a cold January day was one of the best decisions I have ever made. After finishing my college athletic career I really neglected my physical health as I stepped into the “real world” after graduating in 1999. I joined many gyms, tried many online workouts, invested in at home equipment but could never really keep at it for more than a month or two. ”
Paul signed up for personal training with Shawn exactly 1 year ago today. Paul has crushed goals and won challenges that have taken place at Strive. He’s lost over 50lbs and countless inches!!
Elite Strive Members
Kris has been a member since the beginning of Strive. She signed up instantly for unlimited classes and Personal Training.
Today Kris ran her furthest with her coach, Shawn and completed 4 miles!
Why double dip? Kris participates at least twice per day in classes. She has conquered class marathons, ultimate Bootcamp’s, “get your ass kicked” events and much more.
“When I joined Shawn’s bootcamp back in 2013 all I could remember thinking all I ever wanted was to be able to keep up and be able to do what these ladies did. Nothing was going to stop me… with my daughter on the sidelines stopping wasn’t an option I needed to fight through and shake it off. ”
– Sondra W
“Life is a journey not a destination! I am Aimee Saflover, 66 ½ years of age, and a person who has always struggled with my weight. In January of 2014 I realized I needed to make a change in my life and because I was retired, I now had the time to do something!
That something was to workout with a trainer. That Friday Jan 3rd at 12:00P.M. I met Shawn Groll, my trainer. That first day he had me do a few things to test my strength and ability. I wasn’t able to lift my body up to do a plank. My first two months were a struggle because my dad was dying of lung cancer, but Shawn helped me through that difficult time. He would adjust my workouts to use the punching bag, ropes, tire flipping or whatever it took to help get my frustrations out. As time went by I got stronger, more confident, lost 60lbs, and participated in two 5k’s. Shawn also helped me train after a shoulder and knee replacement, back injury and a second shoulder surgery.”
LIFESTYLE AWARD WINNERS
Well deserved #AndNew Lifestyle achievement award!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“I’m beyond words. Its been a struggle and it’s been awesome getting to where I am. All the support and encouragement that Strive, my friends, and my family have given me is half the reason why I’ve succeeded. The other half has been my own determination”.
-Dan 3/15/22