Meet our Superhero of the Month for April: Jill Mack!
You know the tall young woman in your classes at Mo-Mentum Fitness with the beautiful smile and bright green eyes? That’s Jill Mack, and if you haven’t yet, make sure to introduce yourself next time you see her! I have loved Jill’s energy since the first day I met her. She is a bright light at Mo-Mentum.
Let’s face it, it’s hard to start a new fitness routine. And like most people stepping right into the middle of a new group of people, Jill was quiet for the first few classes.
However, it didn’t take long before we started seeing her smile grow bigger and bigger. And just wait till you hear her great sense of humor!
The story about the first night we met Jill is a great one. Curiosity had nudged Jill and her boyfriend to step through our big red doors at Mo-Mentum Fitness in Huntington Beach. They had just come from dinner and our stretch class was just about to begin. So of course, we invited them to stay.
Jill and her boyfriend were both fully dressed in their nice, “going-out-to-dinner” clothes. But they stayed anyway. How impressive is that? Mo-Tribe was so excited to have them join the class.
Go Ahead, Take the Leap.
Sometimes you just have to leap and trust that things are going to be okay, and that’s what Jill did the night she and her boyfriend joined our stretch class. Not only did she make a huge impression on us, but Mo-Mentum made an impression
on her.
Before writing Jill’s superhero article, I read through her answers to our Superhero of the Month questions. Full transparency, I was in tears!
I imagine most of you have found yourselves in a place in life that you didn’t see coming. But what makes Jill a superhero on a mission is that she knew her journey would be hard, but she leaped anyway.
She knew there would be many days when she wouldn’t feel like exercising.
Jill also knew if she jumped into exercise without guidance, she could increase her risk of injury. But having faith that her journey would be an incredible adventure, Jill took a leap and joined Mo-Mentum Fitness just a day or two after that first stretch
class.
Jill Has Been ALL IN Since the Day She Joined Mo-Mentum Fitness.
We tell (maybe warn?) all our new members, “We have your address and phone number, and we’ll be calling or showing up on your doorstep if you don’t show up.”
Well Jill has shown up consistently now for months, every time with her bright smile. And during that time, she has lost over 30 pounds, and gained so much strength.
Ever wonder how you can transform your body for life? Go all in like Jill has. Showing up, working hard, living extraordinarily. That’s how you go all in.
I know you can relate to starting something new: it’s intimidating. You’ve been on the familiar train tracks of your old behaviors, and then you suddenly jump to a new track. Except that the new train tracks are suddenly not as smooth as you
thought they’d be.
Sure, it might sound overwhelming and just plain hard. But with a compassionate community like Mo-Mentum Fitness cheering you on, you can make it along those new tracks. That’s when you see the changes in your life you’ve been dreaming
about.
Stories like Jill’s give me goosebumps. Because despite her fear, she went ALL IN.
At Mo-Mentum Fitness, we help you every step of the way. We help you buildyour new “train tracks” in the best way for you and your new, healthy habits to grow stronger.
The Truth Is, Growth Doesn’t Happen Until You Step Out of Your Comfort Zone.
Far too often, people stay in their depression and frustration because they are afraid of the unknown. If you let the fear of “possible” failure be your guide, it means you’re choosing the pain of frustration.
This frustration is what prevents you from staying on the path to your goals.
But what if BEFORE you jump on your path, you acknowledge that the path will be full of challenges, setbacks, failures … AND successes?
Sure, there is no such thing as a smooth path/journey in life, but accepting this truth helps you find your happiness ON your path to your goals instead of only when you “reach your goal.”
When you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone, you grow like Jill has. And this growth is what helps you to stay on your path to your goals.
Think about some of your biggest challenges in life. They sucked while you were going through them, but they also helped you find a deeper sense of success and happiness along the way.
Because when you make it through to the other end of the tunnel, you realize just how far you’ve come.
Change Is Hard, But With Your Friends at Mo-Mentum Fitness, You Won’t Be Alone.
Putting your health first and starting with a new fitness and wellness studio like Mo-Mentum Fitness can feel intimidating. Changing the way you eat, move, and even breathe is downright scary sometimes.
But when you leap anyway — instead of waiting until “you feel ready” — you discover something amazing. You discover leaning into your best health is fun, challenging, and oh so empowering.
Yep, you’ll have setbacks. We all do. Some days you feel frustrated that you haven’t lost any weight this week or that you haven’t been able to lift the next level of weights yet.
Heck, there will be days when you’re just frustrated with life in general. But the key is to get back up again.
When you keep trying and allow yourself to laugh with your new friends here at Mo-Mentum Fitness, you’ll find that on many days, you’re actually succeeding. When you start experiencing success, the growth you experience is one of the best
feelings you’ll ever experience. You feel empowered.
I believe goals and aspirations that require us to step out of our comfort zones are good for our minds, body, and spirit. Jill’s heartwarming testimonial below confirms that taking a leap of faith is the first step.
It’s okay to leap even though you’re afraid! And it’s especially okay to leap from a place in your life you never planned on finding yourself in.
Jill, we are all so grateful you took that leap and joined Mo-Mentum Fitness. You are a bright light within Mo-Tribe and we look forward to continuing alongside you as you grow and become the best version of yourself!
Are you ready to take a personal leap like Jill did? Let Mo-Mentum Fitness in Huntington Beach help you discover the successes that await you on your journey to an extraordinary life. Stop by, call, or click here to schedule your free assessment and strategy session today.
Amanda and Team Mo
A few words from our Superhero herself…
Specifics: age, job title, children, partner?
Age: 33 Years
Job Title: 3D Footwear Designer and Adjunct Professor of Digital Art
Partner: Wedding plans for Spring 2024 with my fiancé, Dylan Harter
Pets: 2 dogs, Jax and Buddy, 3 cats, and 4 chickens
Describe what your life (and your health) was like before fitness.
Prior to starting my fitness journey, my life and health were vastly different. Despite being an outdoors and active sports enthusiast in the past, I found myself struggling with depression, which had a significant impact on my physical and mental well-being. I gained fat and lost muscle mass, which led to feelings of embarrassment and made it difficult for me to go outside. My self-esteem suffered, and I lacked the energy and motivation to make positive changes in my life.
Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change?
The more I despised my body, the deeper I sank into depression, creating a vicious cycle that only worsened over time. I could see that this issue was not only affecting me but also those who cared about me, and it became clear that something needed to change.
How did fitness come into your life (or back into your life)?
I used to live in a rural area where being active was second nature, but after moving to Huntington Beach during the pandemic, my life became stagnant. My work desk was only steps away from my bed, and I found it hard to motivate myself to go outside and exercise in a suburban setting. Although I didn’t eat terribly unhealthy food, I struggled with portion and balance control. Despite trying other gyms in the past, I couldn’t maintain a workout routine and would stop going after a month or two. I knew that if I wanted to make a lasting change in my lifestyle, I needed to find a way to enjoy working out, so I began exploring gyms again. One day, while on my way to dinner, I stumbled upon Mo-Mentum Fitness, which was conveniently located in the same parking lot. My boyfriend and I decided to join a stretching-based class in our dinner attire, and I was pleasantly surprised by the level of commitment and care shown by the trainers. Originally, I had planned to wait until I had a pay increase to sign up for a gym, but my experience at Mo-Mentum convinced me to join that very week. Looking back on that moment, I realize that signing up for Mo-Mentum Fitness was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What kind of results have you seen since starting a regular fitness program
Since implementing a consistent fitness routine, I have noticed significant improvements both mentally and physically. The first noticeable change was in my mindset – I felt happier throughout the day, and my depression started to dissipate. As I continued to push myself and stay committed to my workouts, I began to see physical changes as well. Tracking my measurements was a helpful way to monitor my progress, and after about 4 months of consistent effort, I started to receive compliments from others who noticed the differences in my body composition.
One area that I had neglected in the past was my mobility, particularly in my hips. I realized how poor my mobility was when I started to focus on that area during my workouts. With the help of my trainers, who made sure that I was performing exercises correctly and safely, I was able to make progress in this area and improve my overall mobility. Without their guidance, I may have continued to perform exercises incorrectly, which could have potentially put my health at risk instead of improving it. Overall, my fitness journey has been a transformative experience, both physically and mentally, and I am grateful for the support and guidance of my trainers.
Please talk more about the actual changes in your life?
There are certain moments in life that truly make you realize the progress you have made. For me, I have experienced two such moments – one that highlights my fat loss, and another that showcases my muscle gain. The first moment was when I tried on my snowboarding gear after a long time. The last time I had worn it, I couldn’t even fasten the top of the pants and had to hide this fact from everyone the entire day. It was a devastating experience that left me feeling extremely self-conscious and made me reluctant to snowboard again. Despite losing weight and knowing that I could fit into my gear again, I was still hesitant to try it on. But when I finally did, I was overcome with emotion and ended up crying tears of joy. They were actually a little too big! It was a huge victory for me, and it helped me realize just how far I had come.The second moment that defined my progress was when my now-fiancé playfully jumped on my back. In the past, this would have been too much for me to handle, and I would have collapsed under his weight. However, to our surprise, I was not only able to hold his weight, but I was also able to somewhat throw him up in the air. We were both shocked and amazed, and we spent a few moments in silence before bursting into laughter and excitedly talking about my newfound strength. These two defining moments helped me understand just how much progress I had made, both in terms of fat loss and muscle gain.
Why do you make fitness a priority in your life?
I have come to realize the consequences of neglecting self-care. Watching a TV show may provide temporary pleasure, but it can never replace the long-term benefits of maintaining good health. I make fitness a priority in my life because in order for me to live my best life, I need to feel good about myself and take care of my physical and mental well-being. I am committed to making this a permanent part of my lifestyle and am willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that I remain as healthy as I can for the rest of my life.
These days, what makes truly happy and feel at peace?
My body used to be a constant source of self-consciousness and worry, occupying my mind even during the most joyful moments spent with my loved ones. But now, after committing to my fitness journey, I have broken free from these mental chains. I can finally fully immerse myself in every experience with my family and friends without any fear or self-doubt. The feeling is indescribable.
How do you feel compared to 1 year ago?
I feel like I am living as my best self. Looking back, we often reminisce about our younger days and wish we could be as slim as we thought we were when we believed we were overweight. However, I never imagined that embarking on this journey would surpass the fittest version of myself that I had imagined. Mentally and physically, I have never been in a better place than where I am now. It feels like I have shattered all my previous limits and become a better version of myself in every way possible.
What is your favorite thing about Mo-Mentum Fitness?
What I love most about Mo-Mentum Fitness is the sense of community that permeates throughout the gym. It’s not just the amazing instructors who create a welcoming and supportive environment, but also the other members who make this place truly special. They have been a constant source of motivation and encouragement throughout my fitness journey. I am grateful for this community and strive to inspire others as much as they have me.
What would you say to the person who knows they need to start exercising but is afraid to start?
I would say that it’s completely normal to feel afraid or hesitant to start a new exercise routine. Starting something new can be intimidating, especially if it’s something you haven’t done before or have had negative experiences with in the past. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere and that progress takes time. The most important thing is to start with small, manageable steps and focus on consistency rather than perfection. You want to create a new lifestyle for yourself and that won’t happen if you make unrealistic changes to your life. It’s also helpful to find a supportive community, like a gym or fitness class, where you can connect with others who have similar goals and experiences.
In addition, it’s important to set realistic goals and celebrate small successes along the way. Don’t compare yourself to others, but rather focus on your own progress and improvements. Remember that fitness is not just about physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being. Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood, and increase confidence. So, take that first step and remember that every effort counts towards a healthier and happier life.
HOW WE CHOOSE OUR SUPERHERO OF THE MONTH
Team Mo and I choose our SUPERHERO OF THE MONTH based on several important factors that we believe reflect the values on which the Mo-Mentum Fitness world-class culture has been built upon.
Mo-Mentum’s Core Values Include:
· Mindset for growth, constant never-ending learning – if you’re not growing, you’re shrinking.
· Over-deliver on all we do.
· Tribe – we all need a supportive and inspiring tribe, people we can be ourselves around and who nudge us to be one percent better every day.
· Transparency – We believe in honesty with ourselves and with others of course.
· Vitality – We believe in living vibrantly and living all out with courage and passion.
