Our June 2021 Athlete of the month is Jeanne Holgersen.
Jeanne has been an athlete at Tradewinds since January 2021 and has been kicking butt ever since coming into the gym 4-5x a week. She works hard, pushes herself, and is an absolute pleasure to have in class. Jeanne is also doing this side by side with her daughter Annika, what a great example she has been! Keep it up, Jeanne! Your fit fam is proud!
Athlete of the Month Interview
Tradewinds: Where are you from?
Jeanne: I am a proud resident of Winthrop Ma and I am honored to live here with my husband and raise our five children in such a close nit community. My family and extended family have lived in Winthrop for many generations. In fact, that is often the main reason many of us stay in our hometowns, to be near our families. There is something special about raising your children with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins nearby.
Tradewinds: What do you do for work?
Jeanne: I am an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. I am a Nurse Practitioner at a local primary care office in Winthrop treating many local residents. I also work as a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nursing Director in my family’s Home Care business, Commonwealth Clinical Services Inc. servicing patients in Winthrop and the surrounding communities.
Tradewinds: How long have you been at Tradewinds?
Jeanne: I have been at Tradewinds since the January 2021. My daughter Annika and I make it a point to attend daily classes. I attend classes Mon thru Fri and rest on the weekend.
Tradewinds: What motivated you to try Tradewinds?
Jeanne: I have been a runner all my life, however, my figure was harder to maintain and weight loss was becoming very difficult. As a health care practitioner, I know women loose muscle mass beginning after age 40 and weight-lifting is very important for bone and muscle strength. I have never lifted weights before and it was a very foreign concept and unfamiliar to me. I felt Tradewinds would help me create some muscle confusion to reach my weight loss goals and to increase my muscle strength.
What group class do you usually attend?
Jeanne: I often attend the evening classes with my 16 year old daughter Annika. However, if she is unable to attend the evening class I will join the morning class.
Did you have a fitness background prior to starting at Tradewinds?
Jeanne: I was an athlete in high school. I was a runner and ran cross country, indoor track and spring track. I also ran cross county and spring track in college. I have continued to run for the past 30 years. I enjoy being physically active and love competitive sports.
If you could program your dream WOD, what would it be?
I really enjoy cleans, ab workouts, burpees and 200/400/1 mile runs.
What is your proudest accomplishment since joining Tradewinds?
After giving birth to five children, it has been very difficult to perform full sit ups. I am now so much stronger in the abdomen that I am able to perform full sit ups. I used to dread burpee’s, however, I have become really good at burpees and I my new strength allows me to complete them so quickly. I feel am faster and stronger than I have been in years.
How has Tradewinds helped you in your everyday life?
I have more energy than I have had in years. I am able to wear clothes more confidently and just feel better about my health.
What do you like to do outside of the gym?
I enjoy going to all my children’s sporting events. The weekends are full of hockey, football, golf, lacrosse, gymnastics and baseball. I enjoy spending time with my husband Steve and the children.
What is your favorite song to workout to?
We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twister Sister.
What’s one thing you’d tell someone who is curious about trying Tradewinds but not sure if they could do it?
I would encourage others that workouts are altered to their ability and weights and intensity are increased as they are physically able. I would tell them not to pay any attention to what others are doing in the gym and to just focus on their abilities.
AOM Final Thoughts
Being an athlete at Tradwinds is a testament that confidence, courage and perseverance can propel you to succeed far beyond your expectations. Success is measured when our personal goals are set and followed through. As a woman, I am proud of my new muscle strength, proud of not just what I look like but proud of what my body can now do. This inner and outer-strength I have gained can also be seen in my 16-year old daughter. My daughter is able to see how strong woman are and I believe it is very important for women to develop a positive self-body image. I am so grateful that Tradewinds has allowed us this opportunity to develop our inner grit!
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