May Member Spotlight: Jessi Reum
We are excited to present Jessi Reum as our member spotlight for May. Jessi has been rocking her workouts this year. She has started running and set some serious PRs at our Feats of Strength day all while being a teacher and mom of 2 boys under the age of 5.
Jessi says that growing up she was not a “sporty kid”. The first sport she played was softball when she was 6 and they stuck her so far in the outfield that she sang and danced the whole time, and she didn’t pay any attention to the game. She participated in choir and theater from elementary school through college. She also said, “Before Forward Fitness, I would never refer to myself as athletic. I ran a little bit in high school and played lacrosse for fun in college, but I never thought of myself as an athlete.”
Jessi joined Forward Fitness a couple years ago. When she was taking her son Oliver, who was 8 months old at the time on a walk on small business Saturday. They walked by Forward Fitness and saw the promotion board, so she walked in and signed up. “I guess I just knew at that moment that I needed to make a change. I am so glad that I did and so glad that I have stuck with it these last few years!”
Fitness and being active hadn’t really been a priority for her until she had her first son. “I realized when I had Oliver that I wanted to be my best self for him. When I started at Forward Fitness, I quickly realized how my workouts helped improve my mental well-being and made me a better mom. Now I know that I am setting a good example for my boys as well as challenging myself and giving myself a great outlet.”
Jessi has faced a couple challenges the past few years. “During my time at FF I have experienced a shoulder injury and a difficult pregnancy that both made me slow down. It was so frustrating to not be able to do what I knew that I could do. I am thankful for the coaches that always encouraged me to come back and always helped me modify my workouts to make it work.” When asked what has helped her keep fitness a part of her life she says, “I love my workouts and my FF family! The community is always so encouraging and supportive. The feeling of accomplishment and pride I feel when I finish a really tough workout keeps me coming back. Jessi is most proud of her strength accomplishments and deadlifts. “I have gained so much strength over the last few years with FF and I can do things now that I never thought I could do!”
When asked what advice she would give someone considering adding fitness to their routine, Jessi says, “Do it! You will love it and you will not regret it!”