Taryn Roane, School Principal

I started taking classes with Joanie about 1 ½ years ago. I have been to numerous gyms, taken numerous exercise classes, played sports in high school and college, and ran in many ½ marathons, but I have never experienced anything like Joanie’s classes. I can honestly say that I have never been in better shape. I am 39 years old and look and feel better than I did when I was 25 (with a few exceptions, if you know what I mean). 
I know that it is me working hard in Joanie classes, and I know that ultimately I am working hard for myself and my family, but Joanie is the reason I am able to do it. She is so inspirational, so nice and caring, such a great instructor and trainer, that she makes me feel like a rock star each and every class. There could be twenty people in class next to me, but I swear when Joanie talks, she is only talking to me. She has a way talking to the class and pushing us to do our best, without sounding like a drill sergeant.
I did not always feel like a rock star…. The first class that I took was boot camp, and it was a fit test night. Well, let’s just say it took me about a year to make the wall of fame. Even after all of the exercising and running I had done in the past, nothing really prepared me for what Joanie had to offer. I have never stuck with one instructor/trainer for this long, but Joanie is different. She helps me push myself further and further every time I go to the gym. She often says in class, “you will be surprised how much your body can do,” and it is true. If I get tired or out of breathe, I just remember what Joanie says, and I know I can keep going, and I go even harder. I know I have had a good workout because I am sore after each class. Did you hear that, I am sore, really sore, after each and every class! It doesn’t matter that I have been coming to class for 1 ½ years. It doesn’t matter if I go to the gym once or three times in a week. I am sore because I worked hard during that one class, and even if I am sore a few days later, going back to the gym always make me feel better. 
I do not go to the gym because I am working towards one thing in particular. I did at first. 1 ½ years ago my third child was 3 years old. I had just lost about twenty pounds, but I was stuck and just couldn’t get off the last few pounds. That was my goal when I started with Joanie. Lots of things have come up since I started with Joanie. I have been on vacation to Hawaii, and it was so great to be able to wear a bikini. I have been on vacation to Disney World, and I was able to keep up with my very enthusiastic children. I have run my best time ever in a ½ marathon, even better than my time 12 years ago. I attended my 20 year high school reunion, and boy oh boy was it great to hear so many compliments. I could go on and on, but my point is there is always some race that we are getting ready for, something that we want to feel or look good for, or someone or something that is demanding something from us; so I don’t work out anymore with one goal in mind. My goal is to keep doing what I am doing, push myself harder than I did the time before, be a good role model and example for my children, and live my life a happier person because I workout.
If I was asked to give someone advice, I would say: I get tired, I am out of breathe, there are times that I just feel like giving up and laying down on the floor, but then I remember why I am at the gym in the first place. I remember how far I have come, and how far I could still go. I look around the room and see others working hard, and I know I can do it too. I remember how great I feel when I am done knowing that I worked as hard as I possibly could. It also helps that if my guard isn’t up, my toe isn’t pointed, my knee doesn’t come up to my chin, or I don’t hold my leg up long enough, Joanie will be sure to remind me!
THANK YOU JOANIE!

Terry LaPerle, High School Teacher