December 2021 Superhero

Meet our Superhero of the Month for December: Lorri DeBrabander!

This year, in 2021, we started highlighting some of your members who have discovered a love for also teaching fitness. Lorri is one of those members. 

If you’ve taken her class, you might be surprised that she started out as a member. She is so great at educating people about fitness, that her leaders at her current career asked her to teach fitness there as well!  

As for Mo-Mentum, she was interested in teaching and then I had my vocal cord surgery last year in early December. As difficult as obstacles like surgery and not talking for two months can be, there’s always good that can arise out of these events if we choose to focus on making the best of our circumstances.  Luckily, Lorri had offered to help out since I couldn’t talk (at all) and I took her up on it. And it’s been awesome ever since! 

Lorri was in great physical condition when she started with us here at Mo-Mentum, minus her blown out ACL. Her and I became friends quickly; she also became friends with several Mo-Tribe members which made it easier to suck her in and keep her with us! If you know Lorri, you know that whether she’s teaching a class, or taking it, she’s the one who can’t help but dance in-between sets!  

To know Lorri is to know she is a bright light wherever she goes. She looks for the good in everyone and helps people see the bright light inside themselves. Lorri’s always willing to help you figure out how to move in ways that don’t hurt, but that will challenge you and make you stronger.  She has a genuine interest in constantly learning to improve her own health and fitness and she shares what she learns with others. She’s the best kind of teacher!  eLorri overdelivers when she teaches her classes, from her music to her dedication to pick out exercises that create the best possible workout for the members in her class. And of course she adds in her dancing and gets her class dancing with her! 

Lorri, like most fitness professionals, has a deep appreciation for fitness because she comes from a family with lots of health issues related to obesity (as do I). She understands that change is difficult, but will profoundly transform the quality of our lives. She understands that although fitness is a priority, it’s got to be fun and doable too, and that we’re all different with differing journeys to creating our best health and most vibrant lives.      

We are so grateful to get to have Lorri DeBrabander as a team member of Team MO and a long time Mo-Tribe member. Lorri, we love you!  You are an absolute inspiration, I’m personally so grateful to have you in my life!  Thank you for all you do for Mo-Tribe, Team Mo and in making this world a better place in so many ways! Thank you for inspiring Mo-Tribe and beyond with your energy, your actions and your love. 

Love,
Amanda and Team Mo

A few words from our Superhero herself…

Specifics: age, job title, children, partner?

I will be 53 years old in February. I have 2 kids (17 and 20), I have been married to my husband Lee for 22 years!

Describe what your life (and your health) was like before fitness.

I was always into fitness for most of my adult life, but when I first came into Mo-Mentum, I had ruptured my ACL and needed surgery.  I came in looking for something else I could do, like SPIN!  Amanda was so knowledgeable and helpful, so I stayed.

Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change? 

My ACL surgery was a hard time, but it lead me to finding a new exercise outlet and Mo-Mentum! 

How did fitness come into your life (or back into your life)? 

I came from an obese family and I saw all the health issues that went with that lifestyle.  I got into fitness at an early age so that I did not follow the example handed down to me.  I started weightlifting in my early 20’s and never stopped.

What kind of results have you seen since starting a regular fitness program?

I have maintained my health and fitness while at Mo-mentum, and I’ve seen more defined changes when I try something new like Steve’s weight lifting.  Somehow, I started training others in CCT and have my own class now after learning from Amanda and Alex!! Who knew???

Let’s focus on  blood work. What kind of changes have you seen there? What do these changes mean for your lifestyle, longevity, finances, etc.? 

I have continued to not need medications and have no illnesses.  I am hoping this will continue for as long as possible!!

Why do you make fitness a priority in your life?

I know from experience that living a healthy lifestyle has to be a priority for a happy life with as few limitations as possible.  I enjoy aging with strength and without having to be on medications and almost never getting sick.  

 These days, what makes truly happy and feel at peace?

Loving my family and friends and sharing in their lives truly makes me happy.  I’m at peace being grateful for all my blessings, especially good health. 

How do you feel compared to 1 year ago?

I feel even more empowered with good health, and feel I have prepared myself for a continued healthy life as I age.  I have also gained experience as a trainer at Mo-Mentum and have come to love helping others on their health journey. I haven’t just joined a different gym; I joined a family where I continually grow and learn from both my mentors and others in the Mo-Tribe!


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.

Love,

Amanda and Team Mo

Picture of Amanda Mittleman

Amanda Mittleman

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