I'm so inspired by the hard work and dedication of all my clients. Every month we're going to choose a member of our squad to highlight! This month, meet Kara.
Kara's Story
I was born in Maryland and was adopted from birth. We soon moved here to Maine where I grew up and came to love. All throughout my childhood, I was an athlete. That was my identity. Basketball was my life. I stopped playing only to sleep and eat. I saw it becoming my future, college? Beyond? It was all a possibility… Until I tore my ACL in high school… I was never the same… I struggled to perform to the level I expected of myself. This was the end of my basketball dream. I turned my passion to the food service industry, where I have made a real name for myself. I found a passion for teaching others, as well. This led to me starting my own baking business.
Through all of this, though, I continued to eat as I did when I was an athlete, leading to weight gain and, most recently, to a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. My birth father passed away last December from COVID. He also was a diabetic, so I viewed this diagnosis as him watching out for me and telling me to take my health seriously now.
1) Why did you choose personal training as opposed to the millions of free programs online?
After my diabetes diagnosis, I was scared to death… I couldn’t believe that at age 27, that word was now associated with my life. As soon as I got home from the doctor, I contacted Skye. She was my very first call. It took this to kick myself into high gear and get my life together… for my health. I wasn’t confident or strong enough to feel comfortable going to a gym, with no guidance. More importantly, it gave me accountability. I hate letting people down, so having a schedule with Skye, someone who I had a commitment to, forced me to push through and not give up. Having someone to get to know me, my body and my story personally is priceless as opposed to an impersonal online program.
2) What has been your greatest achievement since you've been working out?
Since my diagnosis in April of 2021, I have lost 30 pounds, inches off my waist and lowered my A1C and blood pressure. These all were side effects of my biggest accomplishments. The true accomplishments weren’t physical ones. My outlook on my health, on exercise and on what I am nourishing my body with have been what has changed my life since working out. Overcoming mental blocks and misconceptions of my capabilities; that is my biggest accomplishment.
3) What advice would you give someone who is ready to start working out?
Don’t try to conquer the world all at once. Your inner and outer transformation won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen at all unless you work equally as hard on your internal struggles and weaknesses. Just take one step at a time and the rest will follow.
4) What is a fun fact about you we may not know?
I am a music geek. I have played cello, all saxophones and was an all-state jazz singer in high school.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story, Kara!