I’ve worked out in one form or another and have watched what I’ve eaten since my early 20s. In 2016, I had a mishap on my bicycle and broke my femur. I was told at that point that I had osteoporosis and a bone specialist wanted me to start taking a certain medication. I researched the side effects of the medication (which scared the hell out of me) and said no thank you. There had to be another option.
A friend of mine, Mike, was training at Pro Fitness and asked me to go to a customer appreciation gathering to check out the facility. When I found out there was food and wine involved, I said of course I’d go! Mike introduced me to Doug, I set up an appointment with him to discuss my situation, and that is how my journey at Pro Fitness began.
After one year training with Doug I had another bone density test which showed improvements in some areas and no worsening in others. I was ecstatic! I still train with Doug once a week since he keeps me motivated. I also try to train on my own at the gym twice a week.
In January, I was told I needed a total reverse shoulder replacement due to wear and tear. Doug worked with me until my surgery to strengthen certain muscles that would help with recovery. I just had my six week evaluation and the surgeon and physical therapists said I’m doing great. I owe it all of Doug and Pro Fitness! Mike, too.
I started training with Doug when he opened his personal training gym in Ashwaubenon, many years ago. I trained with him for a while and then thought I could do this on my own. I could not. I started at another gym and had a personal trainer but returned to Doug when he moved into his current location on Hoffman Road.
I decided I needed a personal trainer because, like so many of us, if you don’t have an appointment you just don’t go or take it seriously. You must be very disciplined which I am not to the degree of doing it regularly. Doug and I go back a long way, perhaps 25 years, and I think we know each other very well! He knows a lot about me by talking with me every time I train with him, which is twice a week. He is always giving me information about good health choices and the proper foods to eat.
My initial goals were, and still are, to get exercise and keep myself young. I’ve always loved music and dance. In fact my high school yearbook says “Dancing and cheering is her fun and she’s always happy and on the run!” When I’m training with Doug, Steve always puts on my favorite kind of music which makes the workout more fun. It helps stimulate me.
The workouts have given me better health. I have become stronger, have improved balance, and I have become more active than if I did not do anything at all.
Going forward, I plan on training with Doug twice a week until I am unable. Doug and I have an agreement that if “I’m under his watch, I will be fine.”
I would like to tell anyone reading this that if you are saying to yourself I must do this someday, stop putting it off and make that call to Pro Fitness. (920) 632-7048. Make that 1st appointment and you will be happy you did! No, it is not easy, it takes work, and you will be very tired at first. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and at the end of each session I am incredibly happy and say to myself, “I am a free woman!”
I started training at Pro Fitness in June of 2020.
Why did you decide to begin working with a trainer?
I’ve been overweight my entire life. In May of 2020, I was preparing to go back to work (my business was shut down for 3 months during the beginning of COVID) and none of my clothes fit anymore. I realized I had hit my highest weight ever, and that crushed me. I was feeling like garbage every day with constant heartburn, stomach aches, and low energy. I wanted to work with a trainer because I knew I really needed support and accountability with my health goals, and Cindy has really given me that and more!
What were your initial goals when you started?
My initial goals were centered around losing weight. I wanted to see lower numbers on the scale. I also wanted to fit back into my clothes and feel better physically than I did before.
How have the changes you’ve made impacted your lifestyle?
I’m down almost 40 pounds and I feel fantastic! I have so much more energy, I sleep better, I don’t get heartburn anymore, and I have a closet full of new clothes in a smaller size.
Going forward, what are your new goals?
Now my goals are focused on the bigger picture of my health. Obviously I want to lose weight and it’s been exciting to see lower numbers on the scale, but I want to make this a long-term healthy lifestyle. I want to make exercise and nutritious foods a daily part of my life and want to continue improving my mindset around my health. I want to challenge myself and try new things, like running a 5K or finding new places to hike/bike.
Any extra thoughts you would like us to add?
I am so thankful for Cindy and Pro Fitness!
If you’d like to be our next success story, call (920) 632-7048 to set up a FREE introduction to personal training with Cindy!
When did you start training at Pro Fitness?
I began team training with Doug and my inspirational partner, Chris Jacobson. I have also worked with Cindy who has been so resourceful and supportive.
Why did you decide to begin working with a trainer?
I always wanted to work with an educated trainer to help me with my fitness goals. It was simply a matter of a good fit for me. Doug is perfect. I needed better balance in my life. Fitness intermingled with work and family.
The accountability that Doug holds me to is what I need. This also applies to my partner and great friend, Chris, who I team train with at Pro Fitness.
What were your initial goals?
Educate myself on living a healthier lifestyle through having an educated trainer.
Get stronger, primarily from waist up. Being an avid runner, I had not focused on my core strength or upper body strength.
Work on improving my form with different exercises and making sure I am performing them correctly and not doing more harm to other parts of my body.
Develop a routine with my exercise and fitness that would help me reach my goals and fit in with my busy life.
How have the changes you’ve made impacted your lifestyle?
I have changed my diet and eating habits. I have learned how impactful small changes can be, trying to not overwhelm myself with large expectations or goals in order to be successful. I am far more aware of healthier and cleaner eating choices. I do still cheat, but not as much.
I have learned how important it is to be active in all respects of our health, emotionally and physically.
I use the knowledge that I have gained from Doug and other trainers regularly in my job as a family nurse practitioner. Much of my education to my patients surrounds living a healthy lifestyle with eating and physical activity. Emphasizing to my patients the importance of a healthy lifestyle in order to better their health conditions or prevent medical conditions, such as anxiety, depression, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, etc. My patients hear how much I live this life and I believe that will inspire them.
Going forward, what are your new goals?
Continue to follow directives, education, and goals that are set by Doug and myself. Continue to work on my form with my training, whether it’s running, biking, strength training, or core strength activities.
Keep myself accountable to my fitness and health and the importance of this in order to lead a well-balanced lifestyle. Continue to educate my patients on the importance of a healthy lifestyle for longevity.
Any extra thoughts you would like to add?
It’s hard to put into words just how thankful I am for the experience I have had with Pro Fitness. I have met so many wonderful people during my short time at Pro Fitness.
I continue to me amazed at the knowledge that Doug has to share and love learning from him.
The positive energy from members, staff, and trainers is incredibly refreshing. I would spend every day there if my life allowed me to. Bottom line, I always look forward to getting to the gym and seeing everyone and all the hard work that each of you put forward.
Dan has been a regular at Pro Fitness since September, 2019, when he and his lifting partner, Mark, became members.
Dan’s initial goals included learning new workouts and routines while getting stronger and staying focused. “I’m more considerate of my diet, sleep, and taking care of my overall health and well-being.”
Going forward Dan plans to keep trying different exercises and making progress. “Pro Fitness is a great place to work out. The gym is filled with friendly staff and many hard-working clients.”
If you’d like to be our next success story, call Pro Fitness at (920) 632-7048 to schedule your FREE introduction to personal training. More information at profitnessinc.com.
Mason and Kellin started team training twice a week with George about two months ago. “I’m training to get ready for football. I’d like to get stronger, and tone and condition for football” says Mason.Kellin had a different reason for training. “My Mom had me start because I was depressed and bored and wanted to feel better about myself. There were no sports due to Covid.”
Their hard work and dedication has already paid off. Both boys are making healthier food choices and both are a lot stronger. “I am a lot happier. I have really nice muscles now and play less video games” says Kellin.
Going forward, Mason plans to continue training twice a week with George and hopes to be in prime condition when football season arrives.Kellin would like to get bigger muscles, work on his basketball shot, and get faster.
In closing, Mason adds “George and Kellin are really nice people. I look forward to seeing them both every week.” Kellin adds “The best part of my week is when I get to work out with George. I have learned a lot from him about eating, working out, basketball, and about muscles. I think all kids should work out because it helps them feel better about themselves.”
Three years ago this month, Tim wanted to get into better shape and called Pro Fitness to schedule his first personal training session. “My initial goals were to lose weight and improve my overall health.”
Doug created a personalized workout and diet plan for Tim in addition to one-on-one personal training twice a week. “The changes I’ve made in my lifestyle have afforded me the ability to do the activities I enjoy and travel freely.”
Going forward Tim’s goals include losing more weight and staying committed to his weekly training sessions with Doug. “Doug does a great job of training me and helping me understand what I need to do to meet my goals.”
If you’d like to be our next success story, call Pro Fitness at (920) 632-7048 to schedule your FREE introduction to personal training. More information at profitnessinc.com.
After a suggestion from fellow client, Mike Judge, Jim decided to call Pro Fitness and start personal training. “I knew I needed the discipline and guidance of a knowledgeable and professional trainer to maximize my exercise time and potential.”
Jim’s initial goals included weight control and overall fitness. Over time, training became an essential part of his effort to increase his potential not only physically but intellectually as well. “Doug has been a mentor during my journey of education as I experimented with numerous exercise lifestyle and nutritional approaches. We have traveled this path together and Doug has been a great resource and willing partner in this journey.”
Jim’s exercise routine has become more organized and better planned working with Doug the past five years. “I have concentrated very much on evidence based concepts in training and nutrition to maximize the quality of my ability to function…to hold back father time. This includes super slow training, fasting, and constant attention to the newest research.”
In addition to fasting at least one time per month for 4 to 5 days, Jim regularly uses time restricted feeding and follows a ketogenic diet.
“Going forward I plan to continue incorporating cutting edge medical and nutritional research in a program of exercise and lifestyle which maximizes my ability physically and intellectually. Doug has been a superb and extremely motivating partner throughout.”
In September, 2019, Marlene attended her first senior group class at Pro Fitness and has been a client since. “I began individual training with Rhonda once a week as well and continue that with Doug at this time. I decided to work with a personal trainer to focus on more specific areas on a regular basis, for motivation, and for more variety in my workout routine.”
Marlene’s initial goals included improving strength, flexibility, and committing to a work-out schedule 3 to 4 times a week. “I now have more energy and less aches and pains. I feel much stronger doing everyday tasks including lifting, standing, stopping, and kneeling.”
Going forward Marlene hopes to stay active, healthy, and continue to get stronger through senior classes and personal training at Pro Fitness. She would also like to spend as much time as possible outside walking, biking, and hiking.
“At my yearly physical in October, my blood work showed significant improvements in my cholesterol, HDL’s, triglycerides, and LDL’s. Since I have not made any change in my diet, I believe regular exercise during the past year made all the difference.”
In 2018 I started a membership at Pro Fitness after being introduced by the Kodanko family. I was looking for a “fitness home,” and they assured me Pro Fitness was a fitness community like no other. I quickly began to appreciate the fellow members, the unique equipment and techniques, and just the overall quality found at Pro Fitness. I shortly began working with Doug to receive some assistance in furthering my workout routine. Little did I know how his commitment to bettering his clients through a holistic approach would change my life so much. The discussions and education on a multitude of health topics soon began to positively impact every aspect of my life, from my sleep, to my mental health, to what I packed for lunch every day. However, the most impactful strategy Doug ever introduced me to reshaped my perception of “working out,” and has continually driven me to keep coming back for another round in the gym.
During one of my first sessions with Doug he started off the workout with the question “what is your goal?” To be honest, I had never had a goal when it came to fitness other than to lose weight and look more like the athletic ladies in the fitness industry found all over social media. This is when Doug introduced the idea of having a SMART goal for myself to drive purpose behind my workouts. I will admit that I was a bit annoyed by this idea. My perception at the time was that a SMART goal was an overused buzzword that drove me insane. Just write a goal and do it, right? Absolutely not. My perception of a fitness goal was unmeasurable, unattainable, and quite frankly, unmotivating. This left me vulnerable to skipping workouts or eating in ways that did not support my workouts. At first, Doug suggested I try triathlons to which I replied with a boisturest laugh and a line sharing my weakness and absolute hate for running. Eventually, we developed my first fitness SMART Goal, which was to be able to do a chin up. As a sophomore in high school I received a 25% on my chin up test, and it was something I was frustrated I could never do. Sure enough, that goal kept me coming back for more and more. Within two months I had passed my goal and was able to complete multiple chin ups in a row. And yes, I did go back and show my sophomore physical education teacher my new skill (we work in the same school district)! The sense of accomplishment and the boost in confidence drove a never ending cycle of developing fitness goals, and grinding it out in the gym in order to reach those goals.
Last September I witnessed the epitome of achieving goals as I watched my college roommate cross the IRONMAN finish line in Madison, Wisconsin. As an event viewer, I felt goosebumps every single time a participant crossed the finish line to their name being announced, and hearing they achieved their goal- “you are an IRONMAN.” I have never experienced a more motivating athletic event in my life. The next week I shared my experience with Doug and admitted that my next goal needed to be a triathlon. I needed to experience that euphoric rush of crossing a finish line. I began gathering equipment, training, and setting my eyes on the first few triathlons to compete in come spring and summer. The goal was set, the training was in motion, then COVID hit. As races began to cancel I could not help but feel extremely frustrated by the time, energy, and financial investment given to a goal I was not going to be able to complete for the foreseeable future. Low and behold, my college roommate informed me of IRONMAN’s virtual triathlons hosted every weekend through the lockdown and beyond. I was able to compete and finish seven virtual triathlons during the lockdown. The sense of accomplishment after each virtual race drove my motivation to continue competing and pushing myself to go farther. A goal just over a year prior that I never thought I would complete was now an accomplishment under my belt.
Whether it is a chin up, meeting a daily step total, or completing a project at work, a goal gives us purpose to why we decide to show up to our jobs or the gym rather than burn out. Our goals, purpose and accomplishments lead one to another, and it is up to each of us to continue the cycle in order to become a better version of ourselves. I wish you the best of luck in achieving your next goal!
When did you start training at Pro Fitness?
