Arlington has been lucky enough to have had Shelley as part of the crew for about a year and a half now. When an instructor sees her name on their roster there are a few things that immediately come to mind… Shelley will arrive with a smile, a positive attitude and be ready to WORK. (also probably 20 minutes early 🙂 ) And most importantly, we know it is going to be a great class – because not only is Shelley going to work hard, she is going to motivate others around her to do the same! She may even be challenging other clients to a race without them even knowing!
Shelley proves to herself and to everyone around her that age really is just a number. At 67 years old, Shelley can row 1,000 meters under 4 mins, win almost every single race on the rower, pick up that heavy set of weights and accept every challenge with a smile and determination to get it done. Oh and most importantly… she can quote Eminem lyrics!
Her positivity, strength and determination are just a few of the MANY reasons why are so excited to have Shelley be our Member of the Month.
How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?
I belonged to a gym in Cambridge that was right on my way to work. When I retired from Cambridge Public Schools in 2017 I decided that I didn’t want or need to get up at the crack of dawn for a 5:30 AM spin class so I started to look for something closer to my home in Arlington. I passed by SweatFixx a few times and thought I’d check it out. Once I took my first class there was no looking back!
What keeps you coming back?
I love each and every class I take and I’m always dripping with sweat when I leave (great name for a gym, right??). The instructors are wonderful and each class has their unique take on how to motivate and exhaust us. I swear that each of them stays up late into the night thinking of new crazy combinations of rowing/weight/mat work that feels incredibly difficult but achievable for each and every one of us. Once the class begins you are fully engaged, body and mind. I love it!
What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to a class?
Well, at the risk of repeating myself, the incredible instructors!! But it’s also about the wonderful women and men who come prepared to work hard, laugh a lot and support each other. I’ve met so many kind and funny fellow Sweat Fixxers who always have smiles on their faces as they grunt and groan throughout the class. I can be a bit competitive but it’s all part of experiencing a great workout (although I still can’t figure out why if you ‘win’ a challenge your reward is to hold a high plank for a really LONG time)!!
What motivates you to be stronger?
As I am getting older (67 on 9/2 ;-)) I know the importance of strength work and raising my heart rate each day. I love to exercise and for 45 minutes of each class I can totally tune out distractions and . . .
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime you better . . .
(Credit to Eminem)!
When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?
Oh, so many places ;-)) Since retiring I’ve re-discovered my passion for hiking so I’ve been to New Zealand, Australia, Japan and I’ll be flying to Canada to hike incredible trails and climb a few mountains. I was born and raised in Hawaii so whenever I’m ‘home’ I’m a long distance ocean swimmer in the beautiful and warm Hawaiian waters. I’m also in my second year of learning to row on the Charles River so each Tuesday and Thursday morning you can find me in an eight with new friends who are teaching me a lot! I should also mention my passion for gardening and weeding (how weird is that??) but I love to pass the time making my garden a pleasure for me as well as many admiring neighbors.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Hmmmm . . . a glass of sparkling rosé and shhhh . . . please don’t tell, a micro hot fudge sundae from Rancatore’s!!!
What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to SweatFixx?
In one of Elise’s classes I rowed 1,000 meters in under 4 minutes. I’m pretty proud of that and that every time I come to class a bit tired and I might say to myself, ‘it’s OK to take it easy’, somehow when the music comes on I’m all in!!
One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to SweatFixx for the first time?
Trust yourself and trust your fellow rowers. The instructors have you covered so just take things at your own pace. You’ll quickly get seduced at how great you feel after class and then watch out, you will Row like a Boss!! The Arlington rowing community is so supportive and they will reach out and help you with all those buttons on the rowers as well as what to do next (I still need their help in following instructions ;-))
Anything else you’d like to add?
Just a great big thank you to Elise, Michelle and the instructors (Kerri, Courtney, Greg, Jessica, Erica, Chelsea and so many more) who are responsible for creating such a wonderful environment for all! I feel incredibly lucky to have found such a great place to spend quite a few hours grunting/groaning/smiling and hoping for another fan (as in the kind that moves air around!) ;-))