Client Spotlight: Teresa

Dec 1, 2023

 by Kim Bouldin

Teresa’s Story:

There have been many defining moments which sparked my seeking of greater health, fitness, and nutrition.

Through my life, I watched my parents struggle with genetic predispositions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid issues, arthritis, cancers; culminating in my Dad passing away early in 2015 from Amyloidosis. This may have been one of the catalysts. In time, I went through phases of clean eating, vegetarianism, speed incline power walking on treadmills.  Up/down, very inconsistent, never feeling well. I had an extremely poor work/life balance and didn’t manage stress well. Over years had gained weight, had lots of pain, was getting Synvisc shots in my knees, and I had a doctor once say to me, ‘I think you should really consider quitting your job’, yet at the time I thought she was crazy…I wasn’t even 40.

During my life journey, I believe it was in 2014, I met Kim. On one of those aforementioned treadmills, and way before FabYoulous Fitness was FabYoulous Fitness! And I’m so grateful I did! The first time I really did ‘strength training’, it became clear I could barely put stress on my knees without pain. Or go up and down stairs without pain. I even had sporadic neck pain thru the day at work. One time, just immediately after I arrived to work out, I went to tears in severe neck pain, and Kim smartly and swiftly called an ambulance and I was carried off to the OhioHealth Polaris emergency room. (As I’m writing, I wonder if she remembers this!)

Fast forward to today, and after officially being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Hashimoto’s, I now recognize that Strength Training is a non-negotiable for me to maintain my health. It took a really long time (years!) but I now absolutely crave the consistency of SGT! I love seeing my trainers and fellow ladies, and their journeys are an inspiration!  Physically now (most days) I can do stairs with ease, squat with weight, lunge (forwards, sideways, with both knees, (and thanks to Jenn in Circuit, I’m working on reverse lunge!) I can lift and move 50+lbs of cat litter like its nothing! Can plank, climb, stretch, and crawl. My balance and mobility have improved tremendously. There will always be flare ups, but I am no longer in pain on a daily basis. Strength Training has given me the muscular stability to cope with fibromyalgia, but also the mental stability to cope with stress.

I am Stronger than Ever.

In addition to physical strength, I had a moment of vulnerability recently which opened me up to receiving coaching. Kim taught me about the Sphere of Control. For that I will be forever grateful. Because that was a very rough day, and it turned positive because of her and my willingness to receive the coaching. I love our continued talks about “Balance” and what that means. If I miss a workout or two, it’s ok that my focus is on other goals. But now I don’t go completely MIA! I come back and rebalance. Hannah recently during SGT Circuit was talking about high cortisol levels. A lifelong struggle for me. She asked what helped, and without even thinking, I said “Coming here” to FabYoulous Fitness. 

Reaffirming Everything.

This journey does not have a beginning or end; just a continuation to Grow and Evolve!