Sweat Fixx

Low Impact | High Intensity | Total Body

Member of the Month: Megan Menesale

Our April Member of the Month had Sweat Fixx to help her through a pivotal time in her life. Megan was able to walk through the doors, leave stress behind and crush a workout to help her keep powering on. She has been coming to our Wakefield studio for the past 6 months and has become a huge part of our #fixxfam. She always shows up with a positive attitude and is always ready to work hard. We have loved getting to know Megan and watching her become a stronger person with each sprint, squat and bicep curl!

On top of that all, Megan crushed our individual March Madness challenge – totaling 34 classes for the month! Read more about this bad-ass client below!

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?

I first heard about Sweat Fixx from ClassPass. I was looking for classes near my house that would fit into my busy work schedule. I signed up for a Saturday morning Row Fixx signature class for my first workout – and I was pretty nervous – I had never been on a rower before. But I thought I’d try something new and something different – and I soon fell in love with the workouts and the community.

What keeps you coming back?

The people – the community that has embraced me, the people I have met in class that I now consider my friends, and the instructors who keep pushing me to go harder each and every class. I also get excited to see myself lifting heavier weights and getting stronger – and seeing the progress I have made over the almost year I have been taking classes.

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to a class?

The way I feel after class. I know once I’ve gotten to class, I’m going to crush it, and then I feel great at the end of those 45 minutes. To know I pushed myself, again, and that feeling of success – keeps me coming back to do it all over again.

What motivates you to be stronger?

It’s a lot harder to get fit at age 35, then it was at 25. But I love that each class at Sweat Fixx pushes me to be stronger, and I can see the results. I want to stay healthy and fit for myself, and for my family. I like being able to play with my nephews and keep up with them. I also have a goal to be able to do a pull-up and trying to get 6 pack abs for my 36th birthday, because I mean – why not?! Let’s get it!

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?

At work in the city marketing tech products, taking my 11-year-old rescue dog, Abigail Adams, on a leisurely walk around Wakefield, hanging with my family, or enjoying a great glass of wine.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Wine and carbs (I love bread, just like Oprah).

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?

So many things – but probably increasing how active I have become. I used to work out 1-2 days a week when I first started classes, and now I usually take 6-7 classes a week and work out 6 days a week. Also, hitting 100 classes and winning the individual March Madness competition!

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?

Be ready to push yourself – being on a rower might be new and strange – but it’s a fantastic low-impact workout that can make a positive impact on both your physical and mental health! And don’t be afraid to say hello to the person next to you – they might end up becoming your new friend!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I lost my job in January and that can be a bit of an emotional ride for anyone. The one thing that kept me in good spirits throughout the entire process of finding a new job was Sweat Fixx. The smiles from the community every time I entered the studio to totally crush it for each workout – and the ability to completely focus on sweating out the frustration, grabbing that heavier weight, and pushing a little harder on the rower – knowing that for those 45 minutes of class, all I had to focus on was working out and breathing. It really made me not just physically stronger – but mentally stronger – and got me through that tough time in my life. And I made it out to the other side, with a new job – and I still take class almost every day, knowing I can do it – and that mentally, I want to – to crush it each and every day.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Pineapple Salsa

Rachel here! Back again with another Foodie Fixx Friday. Remember I’ll be here the third Friday of every month sharing you some of my favorite recipes. This month : Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken lettuce wraps are a quick weeknight meal that pack a big punch of flavor! The savory chicken filling topped with a sweet note of pineapple salsa appeals to our taste buds in all the right places.

If lettuce wraps aren’t your thing, although I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love an adorable little leafy cup of goodness, you can also serve the chicken filling over quinoa or brown rice topped with the pineapple salsa.

These are great for a main course but are also great as an appetizer for a crowd!

Ingredients

Chicken Filling:
1 lb ground chicken
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp ginger, grated
¼ cup hoisin sauce
1 tsp Sriracha (optional)
Bibb, Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce (leaves washed and separated)

Pineapple Salsa:
1 ½ cups chopped pineapple
¼ cup red onion, diced
1 Tbsp finely diced jalapeno
1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp lime juice
kosher salt

Instructions

Salsa: Combine pineapple, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice. Season to taste with salt. Put salsa in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the chicken filling.

Heat sesame oil in skillet on stove-top. Saute onions for 3-5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and saute for 1 more minute. Add ground chicken to the skillet breaking up as it cooks and is no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except lettuce) to pan and cook until warmed throughout.

Spoon chicken filling into lettuce cups and top with pineapple salsa. Enjoy!

Instructor Spotlight: Ariel Hovland

Ariel joined our crew in our Southie location just after we opened and has been such an amazing addition! She never fails to bring creative & CHALLENGING exercises to her classes. We are also lucky that she is able to bring her Dry Needling skills to our clients!

Check her out in Southie Thursday mornings at 6 & 7 for HIIT fixx as well as every other Sunday morning at 9 & 10 am for HIIT and ROW fixx!

How did you hear about Sweat Fixx and what made you interested in being a part of the team?

I tried my first Sweat Fixx class at a Sweat & Sip event in the Capo basement. My friend Lauren sent me the link she saw on Instagram, and we thought it would be a fun way to kick off a Sunday. I was blown away by the energy they brought to the class and felt like a boss the whole time. After one conversation with Elise, I knew she was someone I wanted to have in my life.

What keeps you coming back?

Without a doubt, the Sweat Fixx community. Every time I walk into the gym I feel so welcome and part of the team. The other instructors not only push me to be a better version of myself, but have so much fun kicking my butt! When you surround yourself with likeminded people who genuinely enjoy what they do, the energy is contagious.

When you aren’t at Sweat Fixx, where can we find you?

My favorite spot in Southie: The Broadway. Great food, awesome drinks, and always good company. Stay tuned for a Broadway/Sweatfixx collaboration– coming soon!

Where is your favorite place to grab a quick snack or drink?

Aceituna Grill in the Seaport. They have awesome salads, my favorite is the greek salad with chicken, a side of hummus and roasted cauliflower.

Favorite guilty pleasure?

I don’t know if this counts as a guilty pleasure but every Wednesday I take a hip hop class. I’m always lost and definitely look like a fool, but it is SO much fun. We all just let loose, laugh the whole time, and get a killer workout. It’s easily the highlight of my week!

What’s one thing about you, that people would NEVER guess?

Growing up I played the drums in a band with my brother. We went to a recording studio and recorded two songs that we wrote together. He ended up going to Berklee college of music to play bass. He’s now on tour with Thompson Square out of Nashville!

What’s one thing you are most proud of accomplishing in the past six months?

Launching my own Dry Needling project with Sweat Fixx. Ever since I got certified in Functional Dry Needling and saw the effects it had on my own personal rehab, I’ve been looking for a way to reach more people and help prevent injuries in the gym. I’m excited to see the growth as we branch out to other Sweat Fixx locations!

One piece of advice you would give to someone who is walking through the Sweat Fixx doors for the first time?

Just have fun! Every class is going to be a challenge; the rower has a way of keeping you humble. As instructors we love to see our clients push themselves, but more importantly having fun. Get to know each other, dance to the playlists, and genuinely enjoy your time in the gym! When you can have fun working out, that’s what makes you want to stick with your habit.

Anything else you want to add?

Come join me on Thursday mornings at 6AM and 7AM, and every other Sunday at 9AM and 10AM!

Foodie Fixx Friday with Rachel DiGiorgio

Get ready #fixxfam, Rachel is our new Foodie Fixx Friday blogger! The third Friday of each month, she will be taking over our blog to share a delicious recipe with us. Have a specific recipe idea? Reach out and Rachel can help!

She’s kicking it off with a crew favorite from our Fixx360.

Vegan Spinach Walnut Pesto

Back in January I participated in the Fixx360 workout/nutrition/self care program rolled out by SweatFixx.  It was a 4-week program geared at changing your mindset towards nutrition and creating healthy habits, not just with food but with all aspects of your life.  If you haven’t tried the program yet, I highly recommend it!

During the program one of our challenges was to remove dairy from our diet for a week.  I thought to myself…no cheese? What kind of torture is this?!? However, I accepted the challenge and used it as an opportunity to explore some new ingredients.  Molly, one of our fantastic Sweat Fixx instructors, posted in our group about Nutritional Yeast.  I had never really heard of nutritional yeast, but after a quick google search I was intrigued.  

I read an article about how to incorporate nutritional yeast as a substitute for parmesan cheese and that really got my wheels turning!  As a lover of pesto, I knew I wanted to create a recipe for a healthy, vegan version of pesto! You have to check out my Vegan Spinach Walnut Pesto!

Don’t be scared to try something new!  You just might surprise yourself.

Ingredients:

2 big handfuls organic baby spinach
¼ cup walnuts *
¼ nutritional yeast
¼ avocado oil
Juice from half a lemon
Salt & Pepper

Instructions:

Add all ingredients, except for avocado oil in a blender or food processor.  Pulse and add avocado oil a little at a time until you reach a smooth, creamy texture.  Scrape the sides of the blender or food processor as needed as you pulse.

*I chose to use walnuts because I like them.  You can really substitute any other nut you like (pinenuts, cashews, almonds, etc).

Member of the Month: SOUTHIE’S Jess Hogan!

We are so excited for our first ever Southie Member of the Month! Jess has been with us since we opened our doors back in October and is a huge part of our Southie #fixxfam. Today she hit her 99th class and is soon to be our #2 in this studio to enter the 100 class crew. She is dedicated to her early morning workouts – making her an integral part of the 6 am crew! She’s always bringing positive energy when she walks in the room, but don’t let her smile fool you she still crushes it every time she straps into the rower.

Let’s get to know last month’s Member of the Month a little bit better.

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?

My friend Jayne teaches in the Arlington studio and I would always see her posts and thought it looked like an awesome workout. The problem was it was a little too far away for me to get there. When I saw you guys were opening in Southie I was so excited to finally try it – and once I did – I was hooked.

What keeps you coming back?

Every class is so different and so challenging. The mix of cardio and weights/sculpting makes sure you get a full body workout. Plus – the instructors! They make a point to get to know people in the class and are so encouraging. You can’t say that for every studio. It’s also been awesome to see myself get stronger both on and off the rower.

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to a class?

We talk about this all the time – but the Sweat Fixx community is a huge part of it (on top of the awesome workout). For me, it’s the 6 AM crew and instructors. There’s a crew of us who religiously go to the 6 AM classes. Everyone always welcomes you with a smile – even at a ridiculously early hour. They also hold me accountable. SO many times when my alarm goes off at 5:30 AM I want to late cancel..and then I think of the amount of shit Elise will give me if I do so, so I get my butt out of bed and to class =)

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?

I work for the Jimmy Fund Walk and love every second of it. I feel very lucky to work for a cause so near and dear to my heart – gives you perspective on even the hardest days! When I am not working, I love to hang with my family and friends, cook and travel.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Law and Order SVU Marathons and eating ice cream for dinner. And wine =)

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?

It’s been awesome to see myself get stronger. Whether in the size weights I grab when I walk in the door, or the split time on the rower, it’s what keeps me coming back! It’s so motivating to see yourself get stronger and to push yourself to the next level.

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?

Don’t be intimidated! Don’t get me wrong – it’s going to be very challenging, and will continue to be hard no matter how often you come. But that’s the best part! I used to be intimated by the rower (and I also thought it was majority arms which is absolutely not the case haha), but once you get your form down, it’s addicting! Also – it’s so much more than just rowing – so get into the studio and grab a towel – because you’re going to be sweating by the end of the 45 minutes!

I have PKD: Finding Strength in Vulnerability

I have polycystic kidney disease.

After over a year it still feels weird even saying it.

I will always remember the moment I received the call. It was the last Wednesday in October, October 25th 2017. I was running on the treadmill when my doctor called with the results of my MRI, which had been done due to an umbilical hernia I was to have surgically fixed. Recognizing her number, I slowed to a walk and quickly answered.

Merely from her tone, I knew that this call was not only about my umbilical hernia. Only four words, but those four simple words, will haunt me forever: “we found something else.” Right then and there, I knew my life was about to be changed and altered in ways I was not prepared for.

It felt almost surreal. Time seemed to slow, and my surroundings faded away. I felt as if I had been punched and had the wind knocked right out of me, like a kid falling, back first off the jungle gym, unable to regain control of my breath and grip reality.

Not only did the MRI show the umbilical hernia, it also revealed that there were cysts all over my kidneys, and both kidneys were far larger than average for a person my age. The diagnosis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

At this point my legs felt heavy. I couldn’t move. I was in shock, lost for words, unable to understand the reality she had just plunged on me. The world as I knew came crashing down.

Every problem I was complaining about, every stressor the new Arlington studio created, every disagreement I had with a friends, every little bit of nothing that I bitched about earlier seemed nonexistent, completely irrelevant.

When I received this diagnosis, there was no problem of unfamiliarity with the disease, but rather the fear from my over awareness and experience I already had with PKD.

My father has and lives with PKD. At age 48 he received a transplant, as he lost function in both of his kidneys. Through his diagnosis and treatment, I witnessed the toughest human I know take on an incredibly tough battle with PKD. I watched the toll it took on his body and while he never complained, it made me realize that this was never something I wanted to experience. I strongly felt I would not be able to handle it.

But there I was and here I am with a diagnosis in a reality that was happening whether I wanted it to or not.

I had never felt more alone than when I hung up the phone. I went home in a state of complete disbelief, tears streaming down my face, and thoughts cycling through my mind: what do I do now, how can this be true when I live a healthy, active lifestyle. I felt like a broken record was playing nonstop as I continued to ask myself why me, why now, and how could there be no cure, especially when Boston has some of the best hospitals in the world.

For the first time in my life, I felt helpless. As someone who loves being in control, it was devastating to feel like I had no power in this. I would never be able to work hard to obtain a “cured” result. There was nothing I could do.

As helpless and as alone as I felt, life continued. I had to force myself out of bed and go to work. Life was happening and I had to show up and do my job. Sitting in the parking lot of Sweat Fixx before beginning the 5:30pm class I couldn’t help but think how the hell am I supposed to go in there, inspire, and motivate this crew? How will I bring myself to make it through this class without breaking down?

However, the funniest thing happened. The second I walked through those doors into the studio, I no longer felt alone.

I was immediately greeted by my mother, who almost 5 years prior, survived pancreatic cancer. She had a huge smile on her face and was ready to tackle any challenge I was about to throw at her.

Next, I saw my regulars. Their excitement was palpable, almost contagious and their readiness to work and push themselves was invigorating. The comradery amongst them, the overall excitement to just be there and to be a part of this community pushing one another, working their asses off to better themselves was unreal.

It was then that I was able to take a step back and reflect. In that split second, I saw how lucky I was to have created this, to be a part of this, and to relish in the joys that Sweat Fixx brings to so many people. I couldn’t help but think of how fortunate I was to have such a selfless community of people who look up to me, who support me, and who would undeniably step up if ever I needed anything.

I knew what I had to do. I had to fight, I had to figure out a way to combat this, but most importantly I had to change my perspective.

That night I decided to give up everything believed to hurt my kidneys. This included coffee (sigh). As a 3-4 cups of coffee drinker for more than 8 years, boy did I get some nasty withdrawals from stopping cold turkey. But I was determined to try to find ways to fight this.

I also had a major reality check as to what was important. Things that I once viewed as “big problems,” no longer held the same significance as they once did. I’ve always been very transparent about opening Sweat Fixx and a key point I bring up, whether I’m mentoring a client or chatting on a podcast or interview, is that if some big life event ever happened, I would’ve been incredibly upset with myself if I stayed at my desk job.

Guess what? Something big did happen. And I can honestly say a major part of the reason I can be upbeat about the situation is because I took a chance on myself and am now able to do what I love every single day. There’s no denying this job love didn’t make receiving the diagnosis any better; however, it helped to know that I have this community & I’m living my life for me, not for anyone else.

Upon the diagnosis, I was not ready to discuss my disease with anyone. Up until this point, only my dad and a couple close friends knew about my PKD. No one else, not even my family or members on my Sweat Fixx team.

The reason for my secrecy in handling my disease is simple. I was, and frankly still am, scared to tell people.

I was scared of the way people were going to look at me once they knew, scared of talking about it and making it more real. I was scared that I would no longer be viewed as someone of strength, but as someone that was wounded. I wanted to out work the disease and that is exactly what I did.

I threw myself into my newest studio that was opened in Arlington and then found myself focused on the next one we were hoping to open fall of 2018. During all this insanity was when my mother was re-diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.

When that happened, I really felt like this didn’t matter. How can I ever watch someone go through what she did and complain or even talk about what I have?

As a result, I stayed silent, throwing myself back into Sweat Fixx, back into this community.  

It was and still is everything to me. It has been and will continue to be the thing that forces me up in the morning and will never allow me to feel bad for myself. Everyone in this community inspires me to be such a better person than I used to be. I am my best self with anything involving this community.

Every month we do Karma Fixx classes where we give back to great causes that deserve attention. I am not the only one with a kidney disease, and even though I’m nervous as hell to tell my story, I know that I owe it to others with the same diagnosis to raise awareness. It’s time to time turn this situation into a positive, and that’s what I plan to do! It’s time to find strength in vulnerability.

PKD affects thousands in the US and millions worldwide and yet many people have never heard of it. The more people who know about PKD, as well as other kidney diseases, the closer we can come to developing treatments and hopefully a cure.  

When I found out last year, I truly felt I had no control. This immediate, gut reaction was wrong. I do have control—control in how I help raise awareness and how I can help to guide future steps in the right direction towards finding a cure.

It’s time I use the small platform I have to start spreading some awareness and what better time to grow some balls and share my story than during Kidney Awareness Month.

As this community moves forward, know that nothing will change. Yes, I have PKD, but I will still be your favorite pyscho. I will still try to open a million studios, get an 8 pack, row thousands of meters, host fundraisers for causes, but I think it’s time we shed some light on this and do our part to help.

We will be hosting 10k relay fundraisers on Saturday March 23rd to raise money for the PKD Foundation. 3 people will be on a team, $60 for each team to enter. We will be hosting this relay in all 3 studios: Wakefield, Southie and Arlington studio. This is a cause that is clearly close to my heart and it would mean so much to be able to give back. If you are interested in joining email Carly@sweatfixx.com to join.

LFG Crew.

Love,
Your Favorite Pyscho.

For more information on PKD and the PDK Foundation you can head to PKDCURE.Org.https://pkdcure.org/