MELISSA'S KAIA JOURNEY
A Kaia Fit Placerville Success Story
A picture on the bathroom wall stirs something inside of me that affirms everything that I have learned about fitness. “When you feel like quitting, remember why you started!” Why did I start working out at Kaia Fit Placerville? Where was I physically, nutritionally, and emotionally? What was I thinking? I never thought I was the gym type, nor did I ever want to be. So what the heck happened?
June 2018, I told my dear friend Erika that I had to take my son to water polo practice at the high school at 6 in the morning. She asked me if I wanted to go to an all-girls gym with her at 6am. I thought she was nuts for asking, but knew in my heart it was time to start working on myself physically. I knew that I had let my body go way farther than it should in the wrong direction. I was not happy with how much of me there was. I couldn’t move well, I struggled to bend over, it was difficult to walk let alone run, and I was winded just going across the room. I wasn’t even sure how much I weighed. I was too scared to stand on the scale. So… it began!
My first week at Kaia Fit Placerville set the tone for an amazingly rewarding experience. I wanted to try every class and gave it my all just to see if I could do it and even liked it. I thought I was going to puke every single day. They brought me a puke bucket and Coach Melody Christensen thought that I would never return. She was wrong. With God given supernatural grace, I purposed in my heart the desire to be the best version of myself. This meant that for me, working out was non-negotiable. It became what I did, period.
After the first couple of months, I knew that I had lost about 20 pounds. I finally stepped on a scale and flipped out when I read what it was, 310! It made me sad. How the heck did that happen?! Life. Life got in the way. I thought “Lord have mercy!” He did. The sadness turned to anger, and then motivation! I became a Kaia girl!!!!
Kaia is more than a gym. It is a place of healing and transformation. It is a place where I continually meet amazing women that I call sisters. It is a place of safety for everyone to perform at their own level without judgement and criticism. It is a place of knowledge that is shared regarding health and nutrition. It is a place of multidimensional challenges that cause boundaries to be pushed and the bar to continually be raised. It is a lifestyle.
I find myself stronger every day. I surprise myself at times accomplishing tasks that I never dreamed of. I was born with clubbed feet and was always told that I couldn’t do things, like run well, or jump, or be coordinated at anything. One day, I found myself in a corner of the gym and looked at the little 12 inch box in front of me. I heard those voices of old “you can’t jump.” I felt the nudge to give it a shot. I mustered the courage and freaking did it! I quietly continued to do my meager box jumps as tears welled up in my eyes and ran down my face. I knew that to others it was only 12 inches, but to me it was the world!!! I didn’t have to listen to the negative limitations set upon me by others. I now have more mobility, flexibility and strength in my feet and ankles than I ever have. I am now up to 18 in boxes and the understanding that this girl can jump!
Over the past 3+ years, I have had my share of plateaus and discouragement. I would find myself thinking “What’s wrong with me? Why aren’t I making progress?” I was making progress. Progress in my body, mind, and spirit. Progress through discipline, strength, and determination. Things were shifting and changing regardless of what the scale said. I had to tell myself that all of the stupid ads that are on social media are just that, stupid. This is a lifestyle and a commitment to myself and my family. It was a done deal.
2020 was an unusually cruel year for the planet, and for me that was no different. In January I totaled my truck and miraculously came out unscathed. In March the pandemic hit and threw everyone on their heads. In June my husband lost his business. In July there were extreme legal issues with a couple of family members that were incredibly heavy and emotionally draining. The worst was yet to come. In the fall I lost both of my parents within six weeks of each other. The day after I lost my mom, Coach Melody invited me to the gym. It was more than just a personal training session. It was an expression of love that helped me grieve and process in a healthy and productive way. It was exactly what I needed on so many levels!!! Life still happens, but it doesn’t have to get in the way of or derail progress. When I say “I love Kaia!” I am saying so much more. It is a deep love, one that will never diminish because of the relationships that I have made.
Things I have learned at Kaia Fit Placerville…
· The coaches are freaking awesome!!!
· I can do hard things!!!
· We are all in this together!!!
· We need each other!!!
· I am stronger than I think!!!
· Non-scale victories are super cool!!!
· Tough self-love is necessary!!!
· Food discipline is crucial!!!
· Drink the freaking water!!!
· I am better for it!!!
Currently, I have lost over 120 pounds. I continue to challenge myself daily. There is no finish line. It is a lifestyle choice. I am forever grateful for my Kaia coaches and sisters. I am encouraged when I see others make progress and change. I am infused with stamina and courage.
I am Kaia Fit!
