Michaela Hardink

My fitness journey began about this time last year when my friends challenged me to participate in a 5 mile mud run, Muderella.? It was just a few months away and I hadn?t run a mile or basically been off the couch in five years.? I had a four and two year old at home and was labeled as AMA (advanced maternal age) on my medical record because I had my children at 37 and 40.? I was also in treatment for C-PTSD and Postpartum depression, as well as taking Zoloft.? My therapist had been reminding me on and off for a couple years that I needed to exercise as part of my healing and treatment but I would always put it off and use time away from the family as an excuse not to take care of myself. Thinking about and having the determination to be healthy for my family, and the love of my friends, along with this challenge was exactly what I needed.

I had belonged to a ?big box? gym years ago and got nothing out of it, but was intrigued by this little place I drove by almost daily close to my house, ?Advantage Personal Training?.? This little place has become a huge part of my life.? I completed the Muderella, the Color Run 5K, as well as the Men?s Health Urbanathlon (a challenge from Greg), in the first six months of the journey.

I am grateful to all of the trainers (now friends) whom I have worked with individually, as well as in Team, for helping me gain strength and confidence in a safe, non-intimidating, non-judgmental atmosphere.? I have discontinued my antidepressant and no longer need my therapist as I have found that my fitness is all the therapy I need now. In 2015, I will run the Mystic Irish 5K and have accepted the biggest challenge, to run the Spartan with Greg and the gang in June. I look forward to accepting any other challenge that comes up.

Advantage truly has made a significant change in me and I will be a member for life!?????