Hello everyone!
Welcome to another edition of our Member of the Month series, where we feature some of the amazing people who are part of our Loyobo FIT family. We think it is important to share their stories to help inspire others and to celebrate their amazing accomplishments!
This month, our member is Sasha Sky, who is one of our VIP members. Over the course of 2019, we have loved watching Sasha come out of her shell and become a strong part of our Loyobo community. This Fall, she has stood out to our team because of her willingness to go above and beyond to help to motivate others, to hold them accountable, and to push them towards their goals – all at the same time as working towards her own! And she always did so with a smile and sense of love/kindness.
She absolutely crushed the challenge of “Beat the Month October” and we couldn’t be more proud of all her accomplishments.
This month, Sasha, we celebrate YOU! We are so grateful to know you. Thank you for being a part of our family and for sharing your story with us!
How long have you been coming to Loyobo FIT and what initially inspired you to try a class?
I sought out Loyobo FIT in March 2019, after a friend of mine had given me a free pass to another gym. At that point, fitness was completely new to me! There were things that I liked about my first experience of going to a gym but also wanted to see what other options were out there. I booked a consultation with Courtney and started with the trial membership in April.
What are your top 3 health and fitness goals?
Ha! But in all seriousness:
To move my body 3-5 times a week in different ways and intensities
To eat at least one vegetarian/vegan friendly meal a week to change up my proteins
To practice being grateful every day
What is one of the challenges that you have faced in your health/fitness journey? What have you found most helpful in working to overcome it?
I am a pretty strong introvert and can get tired of “peopling” very easily. I remember feeling incredibly hesitant to start with a gym that ONLY offered classes because it meant I would have to engage with people I didn’t know in ways that often aren’t comfortable for me (ahem – small talk). In the beginning, just thinking of going to classes exhausted me and I didn’t want to go (especially the ones that have high attendance!). The questions that each instructor asks us in the beginning have helped me to get to know people who attend Loyobo FIT on a different level. This has helped shift my sense of belonging from just going to a gym to meeting with friends to work out; it has made classes easier to go to, because I know there’s going to be at least one person I know there. I am often excited to go to class to see which friends I’ll run into 🙂
How has your life changed since becoming a member of Loyobo FIT?
The most noticeable change is the way my body now moves and recovers. I’ve gone from feeling tired from one class to doing five classes in one day! I am also appreciating how I know when my body needs movement and engage in that movement instead of ignoring my body’s desire. As a result, I also notice small things like a change in posture which is starting to change the way that I move in the world and feel like I’m seen in the world. I often hear Courtney’s voice in my head telling me “shoulders down and back, proud chest”.
What is your favourite memory or achievement of your time at Loyobo FIT?
Being able to complete a full sit up from a laying down position. I didn’t think that my body was able to do that (but to be fair, I had never tried so I really didn’t know). I remember giving it a try in a class and being completely elated and surprised that my body had changed so much to make that movement possible. I don’t know if anyone else was aware of that moment, but I remember sitting there with a goofy grin on my face before lowering back down to do it again!
What advice would you give to someone just starting their health and fitness journey?
To remember to be kind to yourself as you start on a new journey. Even with the ups and downs, the journey will be worth the work. And throw out the scale – it doesn’t reflect anything but gravitational pull on any given day.
What is your favourite class and why?
This is a tough one! When I first started, my favourite class were weight based because I appreciated being able to track how much weights I was lifting with different movements. Right now, I would have to say my favourite class is Sculpt and Sweat. It lives up to its name, which makes me feel like I accomplished something great, every time I finish the class. I also appreciate how it is never the same format, so I never get bored with it.
What is your favourite healthy snack?
Wild, Northern Ontario blueberries. They’re like happiness in little fruit form.
Anything else you would like to share?
I’m super grateful that Courtney had a dream that has become reality. The sense of community that her dream has created is a beautiful thing to be a part of!
Congratulations Sasha! You deserve this moment in the spotlight as we celebrate the awesomeness that is YOU. THANK YOU for including us as part of your journey and for sharing your story. We are so proud of you and are so grateful to have you as part of our Loyobo Family!
Feeling inspired? You could be our next Member of the Month! Try a class today with our 30 day trial for first time participants or contact us to book a studio tour to find out what we are all about. And make sure to say hi if you see Sasha around the studio!
See you all again soon!
– Courtney