Athlete of the Month
CLIENT HIGHLIGHTS | SEPTEMBER 2023
We have a pair of strong men this month, and their trainers are singing their praises for their consistency in showing up and dedication to working hard. Jake Harle and Joe Sjoberg haven’t been on their fitness journeys for long, but they both know that this time feels different – their trainers help them stay motivated to show up, week after week. And their incredible results speak to that diligence!
ASF South: Jake Harle
From Jake’s trainer, Bailee Murray:
I chose Jake as Athlete of the Month because he always shows up to train three times a week no matter how he is feeling or what environmental factors are at play in his life. Clients like Jake make our job at ASF so easy and enjoyable to do. His dedication and consistency are paying off quickly, and it’s fun to celebrate so many new milestones with him in training. Jake understands that “showing up is half the battle” and has absolutely done his part to be there and learn not only what movements should look and feel like, but also how to train hard.
Jake gave us his thoughts:
What do you enjoy most about working with your trainer at ASF?
What I enjoy most about working with Bailee is the personalized guidance and support I receive, especially since so much of this is new to me. Bailee understands my fitness goals, strengths, and limitations, and designs tailored workouts that challenge and educate me about proper techniques. Her expertise helps me learn the correct form, lowering the risk of injury as I begin this new journey. The consistent feedback and encouragement she provides not only keeps me accountable but also serves as a great source of learning and motivation as I push my boundaries. Overall, the partnership with Bailee has not only been important in beginning my fitness journey but has also been an enlightening and educational experience.
What have you been most proud of since you started training?
Since I started training a few months ago, I’m most proud of my increased strength and endurance. I’ve consistently lifted heavier weights and achieved better workout performance, especially with a greater understanding of the proper techniques. I’ve also surprised myself by gaining nearly 20 pounds of healthy weight, an accomplishment I previously told myself wasn’t possible. ASF has brought both physical progress and personal growth, which motivates me to continue to aim even higher.
What are you looking forward to?
I look forward to further enhancing my strength, endurance, and overall fitness, while also continuing to gain weight in muscle mass. The challenge of pushing my limits and achieving personal records excites me, as does the mental resilience I’ll develop. The sense of accomplishment I gain from this training is incredibly motivating, and I’m excited to see how far I can progress on this journey!
ASF Central: Joe Sjoberg
From Joe’s trainer, Kristal Espitia:
Joe was a quick choice for Athlete of the Month. From the very beginning, he has shown up (early) every session with an incredible attitude ready to put in work. He is very coachable and dedicated to the whole process, and gives it nothing short of his all — in and out of the gym.
I am grateful to be Joe’s trainer & truly look forward to our sessions every week!
Here’s what Joe had to say about it:
What do you enjoy most about working with your trainer at ASF?
I love the consistency that I’ve gained from training with Kristal. Consistency has historically been one of the biggest struggles in my personal journey, so having a trainer whom I can meet with regularly has been very impactful. Kristal emphasizes the positive; she celebrates every win and is gracious in every challenge. Each session not only strengthens my body but also renews my enthusiasm and motivation.
Kristal is a precisionist who drives me towards continuous improvement. She pays attention to small details, such as how I rack/unrack the bar or the position of my feet, while also managing the bigger picture. From her, I’ve learned proper gym techniques such as lifting form, breathing, warm-ups, and recoveries. She’s also influenced many holistic changes in my life, including my nutrition, sleep pattern, and other lifestyle choices.
Kristal makes it easy to be confident in her as a trainer because she is so active and involved in every session. More importantly, she instills confidence in myself by guiding me to accomplish challenging things.
What have you been most proud of since you started training?
I am proud of all the work I’ve put into my training, especially of the last 10-20% of effort that I invest in every difficult session. When I would train prior to ASF, I maybe would give 70% of my abilities, and then tap out, believing myself to be at my physical limit. But as a result of training at ASF, I’ve pushed myself further than I thought I could go.
While it would be nice to say that each new session is easier than the previous, the opposite is true. What I do each week has only gotten harder over time. But with the difficulty has come a greater strength and a broader understanding of myself and my limits. I am proud to be taking the time to discover these things.
What are you looking forward to?
I could say that I look forward to specific improvements. For example, that I’d love to be able to do 10 pull-ups in a row and so look forward to training those muscles, or that I look forward to hitting a certain percent body fat. But the truth is that I am enjoying the ride, I am excited to see any improvements, and proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.
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