Congratulations to Janine Serell, our March member of the month!!
Janine is an absolute powerhouse here at Loco and an incredible inspiration to us all. She always shows up to the gym with a huge smile on her face, ready to take on whatever challenges come her way. Whether she’s rowing for Loco Open 23.1 or trying out a new workout, she approaches everything with a sense of excitement and a willingness to push herself to new limits. She has given a go to EVERYTHING Loco has to offer, from Loco Legends, to Barbell Bettys, to Fire & Ice sessions, to the Loco Open! You name it – the list continues even beyond that. Janine truly embodies the spirit of trying new things and following your heart, and we are so lucky to have her as part of our community. Congratulations, Janine, and keep up the amazing work!
Here’s a little more about Janine …
- How long have you been a member at Loco?
I started at the end of October – 4ish months.
- What is your favorite thing about being a Loco athlete?
I’m still not used to the word athlete, but I love the Legends community, that we all continue to try new skills and the other classes I’ve taken everyone is so supportive of each other. It’s not about ‘winning’ but each person making forward progress on their journey.
- What group fitness offerings do you typically participate in at Loco?
I almost never miss a Legends class, I even arrange my swimming (1st love) around it. I did the Barbell Betty class too – so much fun and seeing those girls rock those massive weights inspires me to go bigger too. And just this week I started taking Boot Camp classes…I may be in over my head but the coaches make sure I’m ok.
- How would you describe the community at Loco?
I can honestly say it’s the first gym I’ve ever felt comfortable in, that I felt like I belonged. I didn’t start doing anything athletic till I was 47 and that’s swimming. The community here reminds me very much like the community of open water swimmers. It’s about your journey not some program that you’re trying to force fit yourself into and the support of coaches and the other athletes is given freely.
- What advice do you have for someone who is intimidated by group fitness?
Try everything 3 times before you decide if it’s for you or not. FInd a class where you see yourself there. Look around, do people look happy? Are the coaches engaged with EVERYONE, not just the superstars. For me Loco checked all those boxes.
- Favorite music to sweat to?
Anything that’s not Bryan’s choice!!!!
- Favorite movement/workout?
I love my Legends class with Michael – it’s challenging and yet I never feel like I’m going to be broken. He has the knowledge and experience and a way about him that makes you feel good about what you can do, not worrying about what you can’t do…yet.
- Is there a member of the LocoFam that inspires and motivates you to be better?
Feel free to give them a shoutout! Patti and Anne – they were so welcoming when I started, I look forward to working out with them both. Patti’s progress since her car accident has been nothing short of miraculous, she has grit and grace. Jon Franko is the reason I walked into Loco. He had been made a member of the month which I saw on FB and any place that recognized and celebrated the good person he is was worth a try. And Coach Michael is the reason I stay – he makes me believe I will continue to get stronger.
- Favorite post-workout meal?
If I take a morning class you will always find me eating a frittata afterwards as I journey from the gym to the pool. 3 eggs, multiple roasted veggies, and some grated parm sprinkled on top. happy, filling, supports my goals!
- Any fitness related goals you would like to share?
Swimming on 9/1/2023 starting at 4am – Stage 2 of 8 Bridges marathon swim also known as the Bitch- 20 miles in the Hudson River (and YES it’s clean) where the tide changes every 6 hours. It has a 60% success rate, many faster and more experienced swimmers than me have failed to make it to the bridge before the tide pushed them backwards but I want to take a shot at it. I decided I could live with losing to the river but I couldn’t live with not trying. I knew I had to get physically stronger to have a chance at making it, I couldn’t just be swim-fit, I needed to become fit-fit and that’s why I started here.
- Describe your athletic abilities in five words or less.
I swim happy and long
- Give us your background story –
I found swimming at age 47 having done nothing athletic to speak of in my life. I swam my first mile in the Hudson river, 6 years later I swam around Manhattan, quit my job, sold my apartment, bought a Subie, put my duffle bags in it and drove to Charleston to find a new life. Swimming open water and the tribe of people who do it brings me joy. I spent the first half of my life getting good grades and a good job, climbing the corporate ladder and the second half is all about the physical and my own journey. I like to say that I’m negatively splitting my life!
www.locomotionfitness.com
