Member Spotlight: Michelle Knudsen
We are very excited to feature Michelle Knudsen for our Member Spotlight this month. Michelle joined Forward Fitness about two years ago and we love the positive energy that she brings to every workout.
We asked Michelle to share a little about her life before Forward Fitness. This is what she shared, “I grew up on a farm in Arkansas about 45 minutes south of Little Rock and have always been pretty active. I rode horses, played tennis, helped in the garden, and worked on a neighboring ranch in the summers. Growing up on a farm really developed my love of nature and being outdoors. I left Arkansas for Mizzou and participated in campus intramurals. I never took advantage of Mizzou’s rec center, because I was only used to being active outdoors. After graduating from Mizzou, I followed my now husband to St. Louis. My friends and I would take classes on and off at Mademoiselle Fitness (that’s a blast from the past), and the Kirkwood YMCA step classes. I was notorious for signing up for classes, and never completing a session. I picked up rollerblading and stayed active going to Forest Park with friends after work and participating in Rollerblade 5k races too. The race organizers would map out the race in the streets of downtown St. Louis on Sunday mornings. It was a total 90’s trend and we were all hooked! After having kids (and until I joined a gym eight years ago), my main exercise was walking several days a week and random weekend hikes.”
Michelle had this to say about why fitness is important to her, “It allows me to feel my best both physically and mentally. Keeps me healthy to do the things that I enjoy doing, like hiking and gardening. I feel better when I am active. My family and my friends are healthy and exercise regularly, which definitely inspires my own thoughts on health and fitness.”
We always enjoy finding out how people found us, this was Michelle’s journey to Forward Fitness, “Eight years ago, for the first time in my life, I joined a gym. It was in Webster Groves and was similar to Forward Fitness. It focused on functional movement and had semi-private sessions and group classes. After being a member there for six years the quality of the gym was suffering. Another member who was moving to another city, mentioned to me that I should check out Forward Fitness. I finally made the change when I became frustrated that my prior gym had not changed the workouts for many months and was only offering group classes three times a week. The minute I walked into FF; I knew I made the right move. The coaches and members are so supportive, and it is an incredible community.”
Family is a big reason that fitness is important to Michelle, “My parents, and particularly my father, were very health focused. My father used to run marathons and was a triathlete. That helped inspire me, in part. My boys inspire me to stay fit, and to continue to stay active with them.”
When we asked about challenges, Michelle descried a big challenge that she has had in her fitness journey, “12 years ago, I had a double laminectomy and discectomy in my lower back. After surgery, the surgeon told me to continue what I was doing for exercise (which was basically walking) and all would be good. After a year, I was still pain free but had limited mobility and no core strength. I seriously thought that was just how things were going to be. I could not bend to do basic things, like tie my shoes, but I adapted. After a friend kept telling me about her great experience at her gym, I decided to give it a try. In six months, I was able to bend down to tie my shoes, and not have to elevate them. Each month got better and better. Today, I wish I would have been doing exactly what I’m doing now at FF. I bet I would have avoided back surgery”
She had this to say about accomplishments that she is proud of, “I have now been a member of a gym for eight consecutive years and have been consistent since the beginning in keeping a weekly schedule. I am so much stronger and have a much better understanding of movement and mobility. And I’m proud of increasing my hang time the past two years with the FF Bingo Challenge!”
Michelle has this advice for anyone thinking about starting a fitness routine, “Stop making excuses for why you can’t join, and just join! It is life changing. You will immediately feel happier, healthier, you will make new encouraging and supportive friends. and you will do things you never thought you could do! The coaches and staff are absolutely amazing, and the workouts are challenging and rewarding!”
By the way, Michelle only sent me photos of her with other people in them, family and other members. I had to go to IG to “borrow” the photo of her by herself. I think that says a lot. Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your story with us. We are so glad that you are a part of our Fit Fam!