Karen Soscia
#myfitcrewstory
My story is a bit different than many of those training at fit crew. I spent eight years of my life as a soldier at the United States Military Academy at West Point and then in the United States Army, to include serving in the Persian Gulf War for one year. Because of my occupation, it was important for me to stay in good shape. Regular physical training with the U.S. Army was a requirement. After leaving the Army, and joining the civilian world, I continued to value the importance of keeping fit. But as the years went by, and I approached my late 40s, I found that doing P90X in my home was not pushing me enough. So with the encouragement of Tina Vining, I came to a class almost 4 years ago, and never looked back. Since then, my husband Bill, and our two daughters Sarah and Maria also love Fit Crew as much as I do. It has been four years of hard work and struggling with all of the workouts, but I would not change a thing. I am consistently challenged at every workout, and never find a time when some part of my body is not super sore. But I have also made some terrific friends at the gym, and I adore all of the trainers. I feel like it is a second home, as I can show up with no make-up, my hair pulled back in a ponytail, and my ugly workout clothes, and feel accepted. A few years back, I got into flipping houses. And with each ugly house that I buy, there is always much physical labor involved, whether it be demo, laying floors/tile, painting or major landscaping. Even though I am 51 years old, I am able to do so many things that I never thought possible. I have so much body confidence, and strength to do what strong men do in the construction business. I cannot thank Fit Crew enough for all they have done to impact my life in such a positive way. 

Gavin Lee (Via Facebook)
I don't normally do this sort of thing, but my gym is encouraging it and I am proud of my accomplishments ....My fit crew story begins in July 2012, when my wife Amy LaGrande Lee happened to attend a group class at Fit Crew Now back at this time if you know Amy, she doesn't sweat, let alone run, and she sure as heck wasn't about to pick up a barbell, I am pretty sure she didn't know it was called a barbell. But there she goes to Fit Crew. That was all the motivation I needed, I couldn't sit back and let her train and lift while I sat at home eating ice cream. So off I went that next Saturdy and what happened next changed my life. Now granted I may have struggled to get through the entire workout, and I needed electrolytes at the end, but I was hooked. Flash forward 4.5 years and 23 pounds later and I am in the best shape of my life. I have accomplished goals I never thought I would. Rope Climbs, hand stand push ups, bar muscle ups to name a few. Fit Crew is like a second family, I have gained some of my closest friendships in these 4.5 years. You can always count on everyone for encouragement and support. I welcome anyone to come join me, 4 days a week at 6am. Second class is on me! (First one is free) Cheers! #myfitcrewstory #fitcrewbradenton Fit Crew Andrew Terman

Roxanne Britt (via Instagram)
So My Fit Crew Story is due today and Im just now getting to it! When I first began working out (prior to Fit Crew) my very first trainer asked me what my goals were. “Goals? I guess I just want to eat!” Fast forward to Fit Crew. I still love to eat (I will never give up my coffee with cream or my brownie mix but I have cut back;) but my goals have definitely evolved! Climb that rope all the way to the top? Check. Learn how to lift correctly? Check. Increase my cardio endurance? Check. Wear those super cute socks? Check check and check!  Do a competition? Check +! My Buddy Melissa and I got second in our division! Speaking of Buddies! Ive made some of my best friends through Fit Crew! The people and trainers are wonderful and I have never felt left out or weak even when I was the last one finished. Everyone supports each other and encourages you and you leave Fit Crew with a profound feeling of accomplishment after every workout…. Now to get a little serious. My precious mama passed away from early onset Alzheimer’s several years ago. Let me just tell you that Alzheimer’s SUCKS! I miss her. I hate that my girls don’t have her in their lives. I hate that I can’t go to her for advice and support. I hate that every indication is that Alzheimer’s has a significant hereditary component. I hate that every time I forget where I left my keys, in the darkest parts of my mind and heart, I get scared that it’s started and I’m doomed to repeat what my mom had to endure, that God help me but my amazing daughter’s may get it. I hate that my mom did not have the benefit of current research. Thankfully, I’ve learned that there are things I can do to fight off this disease and one of the biggest is exercise. So my ultimate goal? I want to set an example for and be there for my girls. I want to grow old with my husband. I want to do everything in my power to kick Alzheimer’s metaphoric a$$!!! Will working out at Fit Crew guarantee that I won’t get this horrible disease? No. But after witnessing what happened to my sweet mom and experiencing the long goodbye that is Alzheimer’s Disease, not trying is not an option. So I say thank you to my Fit Crew family! #myfitcrewstory 

Stefanie Masterson (Via Instagram)
My Fit Crew Story: My brother @troy_masterson was a member at Fit Crew and I heard him and my Dad talk about it and thought how fun and scary it sounded at the same time. I decided I would give crossfit a try and visited a few local crossfit gyms who wanted me to go to some type of on ramp program at hours that wouldn’t work for me. I am super busy; at the time I was a single mom with a 1 year old, a full time manager, and working on my first graduate degree, so when I found out Fit Crew had early morning (5am) classes and afternoon classes I could go to after work without an on-ramp program I was excited. I remember my first morning there I was nervous and since I’m not the most graceful I busted my shin doing tire jumps. No one made fun of me, in fact it was the opposite, so many people helped and encouraged me. The first few weeks were painful but I loved everything about it. The trainers spent a lot of time working with me on my form and encouraging me to push through the workouts. This became so much more than a workout for me. It is also my therapy, my “me” time, and the people became like a second family to me. I also never thought I’d have defined abs after having children but two years after my first child and a lot of tough mornings at Fit Crew I did. I also gained so much more patience, confidence, and happiness in my life. Being a mental health professional I know how important self-care is and the mental health benefits of a good workout. They even helped me continue my journey and modify when needed when I became pregnant with my second child, and let me just say it made labor so much easier! When I came back 4 weeks after giving birth (I really love going), they helped me modify until I slowly started getting my strength back. I still have a ways to go before I get my body and skills fully back that I lost with the second pregnancy but I can confidently say that I WILL get there and that I CAN do it. The support and community of Fit Crew is amazing, so if you have always been worried about what other people think or scared that you won’t be able to do any of the moves then this is the place for you. #MyFitCrewStory