If you haven’t met Erica yet, she is truly a force to be reckoned with.

You can often see her crushing a morning class before changing into scrubs to head to work, or coming in after a long shift. No matter what, she gives it her all whether she’s taking or teaching a class. She’ll have you feeling like you have been friends forever, even if you have just met.

She wears her heart and her strength on her sleeves and we are so excited to introduce you to one of our newest crew members, Erica Sousa! Read on to learn more about what keeps Erica busy in and out of the studio.

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

My friend saw the Instagram post about new instructor tryouts & she new it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I got in touch with Elise & started taking classes. I knew as soon as I walked in that it was where I wanted to be.

 What keeps you coming back?

The people definitely keep me coming back. Both clients & instructors.  All incredibly hard workers& genuine people.  I also love to be challenged & to work toward making myself stronger & better. SF gives me the opportunity to do just that.

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

You can find me being a mom to my amazing boy – Dylan (13) &  Tyler (10). Being a mom is the absolute best. You can also find me at the Winchester Hospital ER where I’ve been an RN for the last 6 years.

Where is your favorite place to grab a quick snack?

Whole Foods!

Favorite guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is definitely ice cream… or any kind of chocolate!

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

People probably wouldn’t guess that I was a competitive figure skater. It’s not the most popular sport, but it was my passion. I also taught at the learn to skate program in Stoneham!

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

I extremely proud that I put that mic on & auditioned. It was nerve racking and out of my comfort zone, but I did it!  I couldn’t be happier. I now get to share my passion with others AND  be part of this kick ass #FixxFam!

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

Advice for someone walking through the doors? Get ready to be challenged & inspired.! There should be no fear of judgement because that’s not how we roll. Give it your all and you will leave feeling better than when you walked in.

 Anything else you want to add?

I wear a lot of hats.

Daughter, sister, girlfriend, best friend, auntie to the cutest kids around, instructor, client, and more recently manager, homeowner, and landlord. As a 24 year old, life has come at me quick, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

I graduated college in May of 2015 and immediately started my career in advertising a month later. Transitioning into adulthood was fairly easy – I was living at home, working out here and there, learning the basics of my job, all while everyone my age was doing the same.

Fast forward almost 3 years, and a lot has changed.

I work out 5 – 6 days a week,  and also am teaching at the best workout studio around. I transitioned into a new manager role with my latest promotion. My long-term boyfriend and I purchased a two family home, which we have since moved into and have rented out the second unit in March. This is a normal busy day that I take in full force, all while juggling the things that matter the most: my family, friends and my dog.

After a lot of trial and error, I have finally found what works for me when it comes to balance. And I wanted to provide my top five tips to all of you. Take note, maybe some things work and maybe a combination of a few could help your day to day – everyone is different! (I can’t even imagine when I add the word “mother” into my equation down the line – shout out to all the supermoms!)

1. Prepare for the week

On Sundays, I like to get myself ready for the week ahead of me. I pick out my five work outfits, steaming and/or ironing as needed. I try to prep my lunches making a ton of something that I would be willing to eat all week (lately brown rice, ground turkey and veggies is my jam) I plan out my snacks, and what dinners I will prepare. I just find setting yourself up on a Sunday leads for successful and stress-free weeks.

2. Organize your schedule

The first thing I do when I get to work is write a to-do list, I find it holds me accountable and nothing feels better than checking off all of the items on your list. From there I look at my schedule and keep a very clean calendar. This way I can set the expectation of what after work events I can attend, I outline to myself what classes I am teaching/subbing, what days dinner will need to be cooked, who I can try to hang out with or when I can relax. A crucial part in my schedule is when I can work out. I have found mornings work best for me, because then I can go home after work and get stuff done and not feel like I missed out on exercise. Planning a schedule helps set the goals and follow through.

3. What makes you feel good?

This is a question I always find myself asking. Sometimes the answer is the same, sometimes it’s different and other times it’s a bunch of answers wrapped into one. Balance is the most important thing to me, and I cannot stress its importance. Working out makes me feel good, I feel confident when I feel like I pushed myself in a workout and I can see the results. On the other side of the spectrum ordering food with my boyfriend, hanging out on the couch and binge watching Game of Thrones also makes me feel good. I enjoy a few cocktails with friends, or having a soft-served ice cream on a weekend afternoon. So I am always trying to rationalize with myself on how to not feel guilty, and fuel the thought of “this is what I like to do, why should I deprive myself?”

4. Enjoy your “me time”

Set time for yourself always. You are the most important person in your own life. So whether you consider “me time” relaxing on the couch, getting a sweat in, or finally getting to your hobby, make sure it comes to the top of the list here and there. You owe it to yourself to make you a priority.

5. Routine, routine, routine

This last tip is a combination of everything. Once you find what works for you put all of the pieces together, get in a groove and thrive. Wrenches will be thrown into your plans, but you can adapt and make every circumstance work for you.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.

Don’t miss it, embrace it. POWER through it.

-JACKIE

Our Arlington studio has teamed up with our neighbor and local restaurant, Common Ground, to bring “Sweat and Sip” to life.

What is “Sweat & Sip”?! The event starts with a 45 minute workout followed by a flight of craft beers from Common Ground. Because almost nothing is better than working out and enjoying delicious beer after?

We had our first one of the series a last month and it was definitely a hit! The class was packed, full of energy, and very sweaty! Maybe people were working extra hard for that beer flight?!

Once class is over, clients got  a ticket and headed right across the street to the bar. Each person was able to choose from a list of pre-selected beers to create their own flight. Common Ground offers local, craft beers with many great options.

The bar was packed, yet, thanks to Liz from Common Ground, clients had an area of the bar reserved for Sweat and Sip clients. Some of these people had only recognized each other from crossing paths in the studio or sitting next to each other on a rower in class. By changing the scene (and adding a couple of drinks to the mix) clients and our team were able to get to know each other a bit more. This was a large part of why we wanted to create this event – community is big part of what Sweat Fixx is.

We are excited to be able to offer this event once a month – the last Thursday of the month. Come join us for a fun, challenging workout with a delicious and refreshing post sweat beverage!

If you’ve come to a morning class in Arlington, chances are that you have worked out with our latest member of the month. She comes in determined every single day, picks up the heaviest weights that she can work with, and sets out to be the hardest worker in the room. Kristin Thompson has been getting faster on her rows and stronger on her lifts, and it has NOT gone unnoticed.

So, it’s our honor to introduce the whole #FixxFam to our February Member of the Month – Kristin Thompson! Learn more about what motivates her right now:

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?
I saw some friends posting about the studio on Facebook. (Arlington be sure to follow our A-town page!)

What keeps you coming back?
I am not a self-motivated workout person. Working out at home or with free weights in a gym doesn’t work for me. I need the motivation that I get from the awesome teachers, and the energy of the person on the rower next to me, to push myself.

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to Sweat Fixx?
The way I feel when I leave – I feel exhausted, but stronger and proud of my self for pushing my limits.

What motivates you to be stronger?
My kids. My kids are crazy active and push themselves so hard to get better, and I want to be a role model for them.

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?
You can find me in a hockey rink, at a softball diamond, a lacrosse field,  a field hockey field,  or on a volleyball court (I did say my kids are crazy active). My husband and I try to see as many of their games as possible. Hockey is a huge part of my kid’s lives and we often spend weekends out of town at tournaments.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Beer! My husband likes to find variations on the styles of beer that I like especially from crazy craft beer companies.

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?
I am stronger. I use heavier weights and I am now able to do things I couldn’t do when I started. Last week Elise had us do a twisting abdominal exercise with a yoga block that I couldn’t even bend my abdominals to do when I started and I when she announced we were going to do it I thought “ugh – I can’t even do that” but I can do it now!!

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?
Don’t give up and don’t be intimidated.

We’re so excited to get to celebrate our one year anniversary with every single one of you.

Chances are, if you have come to Sweat Fixx in the past 365 days, you’ve taken a class with Michelle Thomas. As one of the original 4 instructors, Michelle’s presence behind the mic has paved the way for the workouts that we now all enjoy. That HIIT Fixx class? You can thank a certain someone for taking an idea, and putting it to the test (think she doesn’t give breaks now? that first test class only had 10 second breaks.)

Michelle is a force to be reckoned with – she leads by example, works hard, and always will cheer you on. She notices everything, and will be the first to congratulate you on your new PR or on those heavier sets of weights. So, as we take a look back on the past year, we’re putting Michelle into our instructor spotlight to learn more about what motivates her.

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx, and why did you decide to join the crew?
I saw Elise’s post on Instagram announcing the opening of Sweat Fixx and immediately messaged her. It was strange, yet perfect, timing… I needed to pick up a few more classes, and the gym I was previously working at had just sold their rowing machines. I was excited to have the opportunity to still teach rowing classes.

Elise and I clicked right from the start. I knew right away I would enjoy working with her, and the rest of the team. It was not long before my “few classes” turned into six classes, and then I was switching gears to a full time career in fitness and working solely for Sweat Fixx. I can truly say that 4 months later, I am still very happy to have made that decision!

A year later, what keeps you coming back?
Well that is easy… the #fixxfam, of course! Not only is it the greatest team to be a part of, the clients that have become part of this #fixxfam are the absolute best! In the last year, I have been lucky enough to create some of the greatest friendships, and meet amazing people. All during that time, I was able to see clients get stronger, meet goals and continue to show up AND work their hardest every day. It is the greatest part of being in the fitness industry, and makes me love my job.

Sweat Fixx has been fortunate enough to expand this community to a second location, and now we have double the amazing clients and I am truly excited to go to work everyday. Not only do I learn clients names, I get the chance to learn a little about themselves, their lives, and be a part of their daily routine.

What’s your favorite Sweat Fixx memory from the past year?
Just one?! There are have been so many over the last year. I will have to say when we took the crew to Market Street for the second time to close out the On The Green season with lululemon, and CRUSHED our own record that we previously set earlier that summer. So many of the greatest clients, friends and family showed up for Sweat Fixx. To look out in a crowd of over 150, and then glance next to me at the best crew, was a feeling I will never forget.

When you are not at Sweat Fixx, where can we find you?
Working out, at Whole Foods, or posted up in a coffee shop continuing to build on this dream of creating a place that anyone and everyone can come workout and feel good about themselves. The work never ends, but sitting and brainstorming ideas and working on new things is what it takes and there is nowhere else I’d rather be!

We know you are all about #FuelFixx, but what is your guilty pleasure?
Red wine, dark chocolate and I love good craft beers. Trying new breweries is one of my favorite things to do! I truly believe in balance – most days I am focused of fueling my body correctly so that I feel good and avoid the guilt that comes from “indulging” as much as possible.

One thing you are looking forward to this year?
We have a lot of events coming up with Sweat Fixx that I am really excited about. I am really looking forward to continuing to create relationships and connections with other fitness studios in the area. It is so great when we can come together and support each other all while having a blast! I am also looking forward to another year of crushing goals and laughing alongside my team!

Anything else you’d like to add?
I truly cannot believe it has already been a year, yet at the same time I feel like I have been part of this amazing team for many years! We have had an outstanding first year with so many memories and accomplishments. I am so excited for what’s in store in the next year with the best #fixxfam!