MOVING WITH PURPOSE

About four years ago, reeling from an unexpected destruction of my marriage and the realities of aging, my good friend Raquel suggested that coming to a Becoming Badass bootcamp was just what I needed. No one laughed or ridiculed me as I struggled to make it through the long hour of activity. In fact, everyone was friendly and encouraged me! I forced myself out from under the mountain of covers on my bed to one class after another. Soon I couldn’t wait to go and in early 2015, I successfully completed my first Spartan Race with Raquel in freezing rain. I was hooked like a fish on a lure and couldn’t wait for the next race.

I have gone from hardly being able to do a squat to conquering the rope climb and completing the Spartan Beast.

My journey with the Badass group has been primarily a mental health improvement road with the physical benefit being secondary. The people in this community are a family that envelopes you and loves you unconditionally. Any differences you may have do not matter to them. Everyone genuinely rallies to support your individual journey. Exercise and eating healthy has always been important but not a lifestyle to me. With this group, I have gone from hardly being able to do a squat to conquering the rope climb and completing the Spartan Beast. I am making much healthier nutrition choices.

This Badass group of people, along with my faith, has seen me through a very dark time in my life and pushed me through the tough stuff to be a much better individual.

Facing some medical issues, I have been able to continue moving forward with the help of Ashley and other gym members. There were days that I was near tears and there were days that I did cry but I always felt loved in the Badass setting. Ashley probably didn’t know that being a coach also means you have to be a counselor to someone who could be your mother! I have developed unbelievable lifelong friendships. My adult children, Ray and Katie, have joined me in some of my Spartan races. This Badass group of people, along with my faith, has seen me through a very dark time in my life and pushed me through the tough stuff to be a much better individual.

I continue this journey because I want to be a healthy, joyful and productive member of society. I want to exert a positive influence on others. I want to be a good example to my children and focus on what is important in life. I don’t want to just exist through life. I want to “ Move with Purpose”, (as Ashley tells us) no matter how small or large the steps are!