Perpetual Fitness Member Loses over 75 Pounds, commits to a healthier life, and finds gratitude in the small things.

This edition of Spotlight Athlete, Dan sits down with the one-and-only Laurie Siebert of Brecksville, OH. Laurie, who has now been with Dan for 3 years (as of April 1st, 2018), has made some serious upgrades to her fitness, health, lifestyle, and outlook.

“Laurie is perhaps our biggest fan. She has never missed a Perpetual event, comes 3 days a week plus personal training days/week, is down over 70 lbs since first starting with me 3 years ago, loves our Driven Nutrition product line, does our towel laundry, and is just awesome.” -Dan Salupo

Laurie was voted unanimously by our coaching staff to be featured as our latest Spotlight Athlete. She exemplifies everything about this community that makes it so great! Please congratulate Laurie when you see her next!

GETTING TO KNOW LAURIE

What is your occupation?
I’m an Office Manager.

Where are you originally from?
Parma

What do you do for a living?
I’m an Office Manager at a Lutheran Church.

What is your most recent or near-future adventure?
I will be going to Europe in May with my husband and dear friend to travel around France, Italy, Switzerland, and Czech Republic. It’s so exciting!!

What is something we might not know about you?
I won my fantasy football league this year.

What are 3 things you are truly and deeply grateful for?
My faith, my awesome family, my friends.

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to overcome? How did you do it?
Being sick, having blood clots after surgery, and rehabbing for months to get better. Long process and depressing, but family and friends were there to motivate me to keep trying.

What are you most proud of?
Losing weight, keeping most of it off, and staying active for the last 3 years. And Improving my health and fitness level through better eating habits and lifestyle.

Who are your top 3 role-models/who inspires you the most?
My brother Al, my friend Carol, my parents who are gone now but their love and inspiration is forever in my heart.

What motto or phrase do you live by and/or describes you the best?
What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

If you HAD to perform at a talent show, what would be your act?
I would sing but not willingly.

What are your 3 best qualities?
Ambitious, compassionate, good listener.

What is one thing about yourself that you are working on?
Being patient and not always in control.

What would you do everyday if money was not an issue?
I would travel more and visit friends and family.

CROSSFIT SPECIFIC

What is your athletic background? What were you doing before CrossFit?
I’m not athletic at all. I used to play racquetball and weightlift in my 20s. But stopped when racquetball phased out and I went back to school and didn’t have time.

What made you decide to check out Perpetual Fitness?
I signed up with Dr. Biondillo at Balanced Body Works in a weight loss program. He began introducing exercises and suggested that I work out with Dan a few times a week. I was scared to death. Lol

Why did you ultimately decide to commit to Perpetual Fitness?
After working out with Dan for awhile I asked about the boot camp class and whether he thought I could keep up with the others in that class. It turned out to be a lot of fun and I really enjoyed working out with the other people in my class.

What were your goals when joining here? Have you achieved them? What are they now?
My goals were to keep exercising and moving and to get better at weightlifting movements. I am still working on being able to do a pull up without a band and would love it if I could actually do a rope climb. I try to work out 5x a week.

What keeps you so committed?
I want to keep my weight down and stay healthy. My lab reports have all improved because of my healthy diet and exercise. It’s true what they say-use it or lose it.

Has Perpetual Fitness affected your life outside the Gym?
I’m more active. I like to hike and bike and be outside. I’m able to lift and move things around the house and in the yard. I’m able to do more by myself.

What changes in your health, physique, and overall performance have you seen since starting CrossFit?
My endurance has increased and I’ve gotten better at some movements.

What is your favorite and least favorite CrossFit exercise / movement / WOD?
I like deadlifts and cleans but I’m not crazy about snatches. I would love to be able to do a pull up without a band.

What sort of life changes have you experienced because of CrossFit that you didn’t expect?
I’m able to do more physical things for myself so I’m more independent.

What advice would you give to a newbie or someone just joining Perpetual Fitness?
Don’t be intimidated. Modify if you need to. And keep trying because you’ll get stronger and better.

Give us some insight as to your thoughts after your first workout at Perpetual Fitness?
It was fun and I was surprised that I got through it! I was grateful for the encouragement I received from Dan and the other ladies in class because I was terrified when I walked through the door! Lol

Favorite music? Favorite music to WOD to?
Rock music

What is one suggestion you have that would make Perpetual Fitness even better?
??

What is your favorite part of Perpetual Fitness?
The energy and positivity that I feel when I walk in the gym. Dan is a great motivator and exudes the warmth and inclusivity this community is all about. It’s very contagious when you walk in the door. I love the gratitude board and it puts your focus on what makes you better as a person and what is good in your life.