September Member Spotlight: Kripanidhi Nithya
We are very excited to feature Kripanidhi Nithya for our September Member Spotlight. Kripanidhi is one of our regular 6AM club members and as you will see she has really made her health a priority.
We ask our members to share some background information about themselves so that we can get to know them a little better. This is what Kripanidhi shared, “Kripanidhi (Sounds like Creepa needy) I was not born with that name I was given later in life by my spiritual teacher in India. Which means “wealth of compassion”. When a spiritual teacher gives you a name it’s considered your path towards enlightenment.
I am third generation Mapleweirdian. I live in the house I grew up in. My parents were older when they got married and started to have kids, so they were not very active. In fact, my dad served in World War II in the Italian Campaign. My mom was 11 years younger than him. Her philosophy about activity was “If it hurts stop doing it”. Overcoming that thought has been a challenge when setting physical goals for myself. I attended catholic schools which didn’t have much in the way of sports, so I was pretty late to the activity party. In the 90’s I bought roller blades and have always loved skating.
2014 was the first year I signed up for an obstacle race. It was at cedar lake cellars it was called the Battlegrounds Mud Run. It was so much fun. I was hooked. However, before I signed up, I actually didn’t think I could do it. I asked several people and Thank God, they encouraged me. I had really low self-esteem and could not see myself being able to run. I always thought that was for athletes and not for “regular” people. I was never really taught how to run I just started to do it. I never experienced the runners high… I think because I don’t breathe properly. Or it’s not being able to ignore the discomfort at the beginning. Or that I don’t stretch beforehand. You see where I’m going with this. Anyway, despite myself I participated in several obstacle races and in fact met my fiancée at the first race. He has encouraged me, and he has the opposite thinking of “just work through the pain” or “no pain no gain” philosophy. It works for him. Participation in the races set the foundation for our relationship because we were both single for so long, we each have our own ideas of how things should be done. So, it was fitting that obstacle races were our thing.
I am Grateful for my travels to different countries:
Greece, Turkey, Ireland, Italy Spain, Vietnam, Cambodia and most recently India
I also started my own business in 2022 called the HelpER which I help individuals with tasks in their home and I recently completed a 6-month grief educator program with David Kessler.”
Kripanidhi had this to say about why health and fitness are important to her, “Watching my parents struggle with illness motivated me to take care of myself at an early age. My mom was diagnosed with cancer and my dad had a kidney disease that required he get dialysis. They faced those situations with bravery and class. It taught me to be my own advocate and pay attention to my body.”
It is always fun to find out what brought people into Forward Fitness, and I love how Kripanidhi found us. “It was A SIGN!! I was walking by and saw the sign stating “It’s a Sign” I thought this is a place for me. I take those messages from the universe seriously. I called and spoke to Suzanne and the rest is history.
Suzanne has helped me nutritionally through her “Holiday Hold-em” and “Habit Challenge”. She is so patient and nonjudgmental. It has helped me see my downfalls and self-correct much sooner than in the past.
If I am 100 percent honest, I had a very difficult time attending Mike’s classes at first. They seemed significantly harder. The main problem was me not understanding what he was saying. He just says it again and I still don’t understand. Then I get self-conscious. However, when I got to know him more and realized that he strives for me to be the best I can be in every single moment I appreciate his effort. I think he sees strength in me that I don’t see in myself. I naturally want to take the easier route. Forward Fitness knows how to push in a way that is motivating not breaking you down. It’s a good balance.”
She shared this about challenges she has faced. “My biggest challenge has been witnessing the health crisis of my fiancé James. He has had seizures and a heart condition that he has endured not one but two heart valve replacement surgeries. He is truly an inspiration. If I did not witness it I would not think the human body could endure such things. I tend to be more of a Natural Path type of person. I worked at a Chiropractic office for 11 years and truly believe the “power that made the body can heal the body” That being said, if you have a heart condition, if you can hang on …. they are always coming up with new treatments and innovations. I am forever grateful for medical establishment for helping James.”
When it comes to accomplishments that she is proud of Kripanidhi shared this, “I am most proud of graduating college. I was the first in my family with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I attended St. Louis University at Parks College in Cahokia’ IL. It was a small-town vibe campus. Despite school being difficult for me I did complete it. I love learning but don’t really enjoy technical part like deadlines, reports, special projects etc..”
We always like to end with advice that our members would give to someone thinking about starting a fitness routine because our members give some great advice. Kripanidhi’s advice, “I would stress you don’t have to do it alone. Mostly what gets me out of bed is the accountability factor. If I was left to my own devises, I would let other people’s needs come before mine. On the days I work out I am so productive. My head is clear. I leave the gym feeling full of possibilities. I love starting my day with other people who inspire me to do my best.”
Thank you, Kripanidhi, for sharing your story and letting us get to know you a little better!