stronger Archives - TFW ATHENS GA

August 9, 2017August 16, 2019

Are Daily Meds For Chronic Pain Getting You Down?

This is the journey of Audrey Greeson, student at Training for Warriors Athens

Life before TFW was spent dealing with chronic pain, multiple surgeries, and daily doses of narcotic medication.

Those surgeries included three on her back (including a spinal fusion of her lumbar spine), two elbow surgeries, and most recently surgery on her achilles tendon.

Desperation caused by a lack of results from personal training at her “regular gym” as well as uninspired workouts done alone; she sought out a place to change that. Audrey found TFW Athens and says it has “made all the difference.” “I really feel like I found a second family here at SBG.” The support and non-judgemental environment has meant a lot to her.

In the beginning, Audrey couldn’t even perform one sit-up. She felt a huge sense of victory when she was finally able to get one. She has come a long way since those days. Audrey has recently completed a personal best 286 pound deadlift and 110 pound overhead press. Although her new found strength in the weight room has been a lot of hard work it has helped her back become much stronger. Audrey is now free of pain medications.

Audrey says it best, “Being a part of SBG has really meant so much to me. I have no doubt that I will be able to eventually accomplish every goal I set out for myself. I’m a work in progress, but I know that with hard work and dedication I will definitely make it. This place is such a big part of me having that belief. I was desperate when I walked in the door, but I have found what I was looking for.”

I leave you with the top three tips that helped Audrey transform:

Coming to class… I can’t stress that enough. You can’t improve if you don’t get through that door.
Perseverance… I won’t quit. If I can’t get something now I promise you I will get it eventually. It just takes time and practice.
Listening to my coaches… I can’t say enough good things about our TFW coaches. They are right there making sure my form is correct and giving me advice on how to improve it.

Do you struggle with some of the same things with which Audrey struggled? You CAN make that change and TRANSFORM your life also!

Do you want to learn how to drop 10-15 pounds?
Need help with your nutrition?
Looking to start a fitness program?
We have just the thing for you. Click the button below and learn more about our 28 Day Transformation Challenge today!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28 DAY TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE

August 2, 2017August 16, 2019

Are You Struggling With Fatigue and Chronic Back Pain?

This is the journey of Frances Byrd; student at Training for Warriors Athens

Training for Warriors Athens Georgia

Life for Frances, before she started TFW Athens, was filled with fatigue, a lack of endurance, and chronic back pain.

Frances is a local artist that was struggling with fatigue, a lack of endurance and chronic back pain due to severe scoliosis. She was initially looking for a gym that had a kickboxing program. She was unhappy with her choices while living in Gwinnett, “all of the gyms in my area/price range were glam gyms.” She was turned off by the “dress to impress” women and “meatheads who were in the gym to show off.” The trainers cared more about the number of appointments they had rather than the quality of their coaching.

Upon moving closer to the Athens area she reached out to SBG and learned of TFW Athens. Since her time here she has found a significant increase in cardiovascular endurance, increased strength, and improved posture.

The thing that has impressed her most is how Coach Whitney worked with her to recognize her limitations due to her scoliosis. In the past lifting weights and working on core exercises caused her a lot of pain. The help from Coach Whitney, along with “listen[ing] to my body and make[ing] adjustments to movements when necessary to improve my workouts”, enabled her to work harder than ever before. This has led her to rarely have any back pain in or outside of the gym.

Here are the top three tips that helped Frances transform:

Increased water consumption
Increased fresh fruit and vegetable consumption
Listen to your body and work with your coaches to find solutions

Do you struggle with some of the same things with which Frances struggled? You CAN make that change and TRANSFORM your life also!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28 DAY TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE

July 26, 2017August 16, 2019

Are You Battling Depression, Anxiety, and a Lack of Motivation?

This is the first in a series of blogs devoted to individual members of our Tribe. They are sharing some of their history, both prior to and during their time at TFW Athens. They tell of struggles, fears, concerns, and questions about wanting more from life. There is a Hero’s Journey in all of them. They each recognize that which they are lacking, search for guidance, “Slay The Dragon”, and provide insights to others on a similar quest. It is our sincere hope that contained herein, you the reader see there is help for you within these walls. Join the fastest growing group fitness program in the world at TFW Athens and “Bring Out The Warrior Within!”

This is the journey of Tiffany Hope Rogers; student at Training for Warriors Athens

Life before she started training at TFW Athens was filled with depression, anxiety, and a lack of motivation.

She was enrolled at a “regular gym (machines and cardio)” the year prior to joining TFW. Suffering from headaches and constant fatigue, Tiffany decided she would “rather waste money monthly for the 12 month contract I signed than actually go to the gym”

Tiffany was looking to get in shape and practice a form of self care. “Trapped in an unhealthy relationship”, she was in need of self confidence and something to fill her time “with some form of positivity.” She started TFW through a 5 week trial program. She remembers her consultant, Ashley, being super motivational, and although she couldn’t perform the basic exercises “there was no shame at all.”

After her first class with the rest of the tribe her nervousness (to the point she though she would be sick) quickly faded. “The coaches were always so supportive and empowering. They know the right balance of encouraging someone to push harder and pushing someone to the point of being discouraged”; a difference she finds very important. Tiffany loves her fellow training partners and the judgement free environment. “I swear- somehow the gym does a good job of attracting good people.”

Although Tiffany has lost weight (and all while earning her Master’s and studying abroad) it is not the thing for which she is most focused. “I feel as though the most significant results I have had is feeling both mentally and physically stronger.” About a year and a half after entering TFW Athens she “felt so much better”. Although a combination of factors has led to her discontinuing both her anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications; she contributes a lot of that to going to the gym.

I think Tiffany does a great job below in explaining the power of TFW.

“I have gained a significant amount of confidence and self-worth- something not as easily numerically measured but so valuable to my everyday life. You start the program not being able to do an appropriate squat and then you hear your coach say your squat with a barbell on your back looks perfect and you say to yourself, “Okay…Now I am officially a badass.” How much weight did not really matter, there was no competition with anyone else besides myself, and then I just made the decision to feel awesome. I think actually being stronger helps too- I have had to move a couple times in a short period of time and having the ability to pack and move my stuff without completely tiring myself out was definitely a needed change.”

Her favorite part of TFW is that the gym is very holistic, family orientated, and community involved. She has been able to take both nutrition and self defense seminars. Additionally, she thinks it’s awesome that SBG (where TFW is located) takes the time to give back to the community in the form of: blood drives, toys for tots, food drives, road beautification, self defense seminars for children and women, and a 501(c)3 booster club to help youth students compete). “I think this alone is what sets SBG apart from other gym in Athens/Georgia.”

Here are the top three tips that helped Tiffany transform:

“Despite popular belief it is okay for women to……eat protein and lift heavy.
If you need to ask your team for help (for someone to run with you or give you extra encouragement) it is completely okay to ask. That is the point of having a tribe/familia (different terms have been used in this tip).
Sometimes the most important thing you can do for yourself is just make it through the door.”

Do you struggle with some of the same things with which Tiffany struggled? You CAN make that change and TRANSFORM your life also!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28 DAY TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE