STRENGTH or TRANSFORMATION
...both are geared towards increasing strength, building lean muscle
and burning fat throughout the holiday season.
Member of the Month - September 2017
LINDA BRESNAHAN
MEMBER SINCE AUGUST 2013
Linda Bresnahan started with TFL just over 4 years ago with her daughter, Lynn. She embodies everything you could ask for in a perfect member – realistic training goals, consistency, positivity and eagerness to perform movements well and progress at a natural pace.
Making strength training a part of her regular routine has afforded Linda the ability to take dishes out of her cabinet with ease (one of her very first goals in 2013), enjoy her retirement on vacations with her girlfriends, and last hours on the dance floor at parties!
Anyone who's had the pleasure of training next to Linda has experienced many of the same feelings that we do as coaches. She’s an inspiration, and truly a sweet joy to be around. Linda’s spunky sense of humor and easy-going attitude make it easy to enjoy our jobs as coaches, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how far she has come since joining our community.
Linda can be found in mid-morning small group sessions, often dancing in between sets to her favorite Latin music playlists! We'd like to congratulate Linda on her recent birthday, her four-year TFL anniversary, and yet another month of hard work!
“She’s an inspiration, and truly a sweet joy to be around.”
Member of the Month - August 2017
JEN NYMAN
MEMBER SINCE JUNE 2015
Jen Nyman is the first person to introduce herself to anyone she doesn’t know and embodies many of the qualities we nurture here at Train for Life. She’s welcoming, positive, and enthusiastic in literally every session. We know that when Jen is here to train she will make others to push harder, but won’t let them leave without feeling like they did their best.
Her attitude and commitment to our training philosophy is something we can all learn from. Since day one, Jen has always been eager to learn and embrace everything we educate her on from proper recovery to how to hit that big, personal best lift. Jen is all about balance, which is something we foster here at TFL. She never skips a workout, and is still a rockstar mom at every event, birthday party or school function her son, Kris, has.
Jen is always willing to help a fellow member so the next time you see Jen in one of your classes, be sure to partner up with her if you’re looking for someone to inspire you to have one of your best workouts! We thank Jen for being a shining example of what it means to be part of the Train for Life community.
“Jen is one of the people I look forward to working out with most. Always fun. Always funny. Always motivating me to do more.”
Member of the Month - July 2017
DARYL KIRBY
MEMBER SINCE
JANUARY 2017
Daryl Kirby is the definition of a hard-worker. He is consistently attempting to learn new things about movement, exercise, and other fitness strategies. Daryl’s inquisitive attitude toward fitness has driven him forward on the road to achievement. This includes a leaner body composition, better mobility, and conquering the KB Swing – a goal he set for himself and was determined to achieve.
It’s not always easy to motivate oneself, and Daryl does this with ease as well as repeatedly finding ways to get others going too. A simple high-five, a subtle, “Let’s Go!”, as well as, the constant support for those around him in a session; all of these things help make others feel stronger, and feed off of Daryl’s positive attitude.
Daryl is often found wearing a cut-off tee and a smile during the afternoon sessions, and most recently, planking on the beach during his summer vacation. We’d like to commend Daryl on all of his hard work and dedication to the process, and are grateful to have him as a member of our community.
“Daryl is a nice guy to have in sessions. He’s positive, friendly and hardworking.”
Daryl and his wife, Karen.
2017 Summer Challenge
We asked for suggestions on how to make the Summer Challenge exciting and something different from our previous “team” approach. The consensus seemed to be that you all wanted to be challenged individually with competitors at the same level, as well as many requests for nutrition help. We feel we have satisfied both request and are excited to explain what’s to come in our 2017 Summer Challenge
Click on the PDF below for all the details about the challenge, and how to sign up...
Member of the Month - May 2017
KATIE MORIN
MEMBER SINCE APRIL 2012
Katie Morin has been a member of Train for Life for over 5 years and with her long time commitment and dedication to her training has completed over 750 workouts with us! Katie is a model member who always strives to do her best and can always be called upon to demonstrate any exercise with perfect technique.
Katie is always a friendly face in every class she attends welcoming friends and new members alike. She consistently looks for improvement in all of her movements and is never too proud to ask for help when learning a new skill. With her strength training experience, she never hesitates to lend a hand to a member or an encouraging comment.
Katie is proof that hard work and commitment to our system pays off, as she is usually toward the top of the leader board during our challenges, often times putting up comparable numbers to women half her age. We are humbled to have Katie continue to put her trust in us, and hope to continue to motivate and guide her for many more years to come. CONGRATS KATIE!
“I love walking into class and seeing Katie. She always has a smile on her face. She is consistent, and never complains so you couldn’t ask for a better training partner.”
Feature Article on Mass Realty
Thank you to Mass Realty for featuring our facility on their website recently!
Check out the article below and click the link for the full story...
As an exercise community, Train for Life in Chicopee, MA holds gym members accountable by creating camaraderie, requiring appointments and believing in fitness as a journey. Co-owners Drew and Jordan McConaha said many gyms can be intimidating and confusing, which doesn't benefit members, but Train for Life removes both of those factors. The gym uses coaching to take members' fitness to the next level while preventing injury...
Member of the Month - April 2017
MELISSA LAVALLEE
MEMBER SINCE OCTOBER 2016
Melissa’s journey is just as impressive, as it is inspiring. She has 100% dedicated herself to her training, and finding a true balance within her relationship with food. All of this has afforded her the ability to feel better than she has in years!
Melissa pushes herself to new limits each training session. She humbly leads by example, and is someone fellow members tend to find helpful throughout the sessions they share with her. If it’s not in sessions, she is an avid social networker always sharing her inspirational story and progress, and she encourages others to believe they can do it too. She was nominated by a fellow member, and former Member of the Month, Jill Lueb who had only the nicest things to say about her...
“Melissa is a ray of sunshine every time I see her in class, she is supportive and friendly to everyone. She shares fun food ideas and recipes, and is just a really nice human who represents the TFL way of life. “
Melissa has far surpassed many of the original goals she set for herself when she joined us back in October. She has completely transformed her body as well as her nutrition mindset. She is stronger, leaner and more determined as she has been learning new skills in Small Group in preparation for her upcoming powerlifting competition – which we know she will crush!
This is only the beginning for Melissa, and we are so excited to see the peaks she will climb in the future! Keep up all the great work.
Melissa's new tattoo highlights her love for strength. She even desires to be a coach herself one day, and is actively taking the steps to pursue this currently.
Member of the Month - March 2017
AMY ZAJAC
Member Since November 2015
Amy is, without a doubt, dedicated to the process. Despite being a mom of two young, crazy boys, she always shows up early to her sessions, and is the last one to leave – usually after a few miles on the AirDyne with friends to hit her personal MyZone goals. Amy originally came to us with a simple weight loss goal, but her fitness has evolved tremendously since that first day.
When we asked fellow members about Amy there was consistency among the replies: motivating, encouraging, and persistent, and her presence during training sessions is always a positive one. She has made others around her stronger, both mentally and physically. A “You got this!” or a cheer from afar, is typical of Amy as she is always eager to motivate and bring out the best in those around her.
Not a session goes by without Amy asking for a form check, a weight recommendation, or a how-to on a movement. Just one of the many reasons she is a joy to coach. It’s been a blessing to work with Amy, and we look forward to supporting her constant strive toward new goals and accomplishments this year – especially at the SPD Road Race next week!
“She’s motivating, encouraging and persistent; and her presence during training sessions is always a positive one.”
Be Phenomenal
Yes, I just want you to be phenomenal --- A letter from a Strength Coach…
Phenomenal people put in the extra; they don’t think twice about it… the ‘extra’ is just apart of their daily routine. Being phenomenal isn’t a term you were born to associate with; you’ve got to want to be phenomenal.
The extra effort doesn’t need to be so laborious. Maybe it’s choosing not to hit the snooze for the extra 5 minutes of sleep, choosing to pause for a few seconds to hold the door for someone on his/her way through, or something as simple as a friendly smile. Whatever “maybe” you come across in life should be met by this yes or no question…
“Will this make me better, or not?”
You see… whether you’re a Professional Athlete, High School student, the average desk-jockey, nurse, teacher, police officer, or firefighter… having that question guide your decisions can not only improve the quality of your life, but make it a better place for all of us.
Becoming phenomenal starts with confidence. You can pretend all you want, but you will not be the best version of yourself without it. The weight on the bar, the size of the kettlebell, etc. doesn’t matter… These implements only want fall to the floor…to go in one direction… You have to come up with a way to change that! Approaching exercise with intent and integrity will allow daily tasks to become simpler, less stress inducing, and ultimately more rewarding. Do you remember a time where you took a movement or a lift for granted; did it feel good? Did it hurt? This is a similar feeling such as entering a work meeting unprepared… nothing ever goes “well” then after.
Fitness is truly an all-encompassing ‘magical elixir’ that can fight depression, boost confidence, enhance drive and focus, burn fat, extend life span/expectancy… do you see where I’m heading with this?
We as coaches trust in you from Day 1. We trust that you are going to put forth your best every training session. If you feel you only have 80% to give that day, then we are going to pull 100% of that 80. This effort multiples as the number of solid training sessions are put it. Holding a “glass half full mentality” will ultimately lead to excellence throughout your journey. Days turn to weeks, weeks to months, and inevitably months to years. It’s our responsibility to find a way to motivate you to find your better and eventually your best. It’s our hope that our guidance in the weight room drives you toward your goal. Drive you’re knees out, tighten you’re grip, BREATH… These suggestions aren’t to annoy you or just to see how much weight you can lift, but to constantly remind you of how important the little adjustments in your mindfulness can drive you to become phenomenal. Can you look in the mirror and say “I did everything I can do today to make myself better?”
As your coach, I would like to share a few ways that one can stride toward their own personal greatness…
Action steps toward Becoming Phenomenal
· 5 Minutes of Mindful Meditation
o To give yourself time perimeter, turn on an alarm with a soft chime ringer.
o Breathe and let your thoughts float.
o Be awake and conscious of the world around you.
*Notice how quickly you awaken with the positivity and energy needed to proceed with your day.
· Exercise
o This doesn’t only mean, “hit the gym”! If weather permits find ways to get outside: hike, run, bike, or walk.
o Do something every day. Being phenomenal means you have to feel phenomenal first.
· Enjoy Life
o Find time to smile each day: whether you have a hobby or a great group of friends to hang out with, enjoy each minute.
o Surround yourself only with positive people, who bring out the best in you. Nobody is phenomenal without a smile – except Bill Belichick (that guy never smiles, and he’s a phenomenal cheater).
Coach Vin Silano, CSCS, Pn1