Member Spotlight: Julie Smailys

This month we are very excited to feature Julie Smailys for our Member of the month spotlight.  Julie has been a part of our Fit Fam for about a year and a half.  She has been super consistent with her workouts and has accomplished some great things.  

 We asked Julie to tell us about herself before joining Forward Fitness and this is what she shared, “I’m pretty much from St. Louis. I have always been active in the sense of being busy (going to school, working multiple jobs, etc.). I started running for “fun” in high school, and I like to dance as well. I’m on my feet a lot for both current jobs (teacher and restaurant worker). But Forward Fitness is really my first attempt at focusing on strength training along with cardio. 

We love it when our members bring in new members and that is just how Julie found us. When asked why she joined Forward Fitness she told us, “My friend Jenna! She always talked about it, and it made me want to try it out since I needed to work on strength training.”

Health and fitness are an important part of Julie’s life and she tells us why, “My daily life is active. I want to be in good shape so I have the energy to keep going. I enjoy putting in a hard effort when working out and it does give me a feeling of accomplishment after. I also like to challenge myself. I want to continue being active as I get older, including being able to do things like adventure vacations (I’m hiking the Inca Trail this December).  

Julie’s biggest challenge is one that many of us can relate to, time. Here is how she finds the time to get her workouts in, “I try to have a pretty set schedule during the school year at least, and I make sure to put working out on my calendar every week.” 

 We also asked her what has helped her keep fitness a part of her life  and she shared, “I try to do things I enjoy so that it doesn’t feel so much like work. Having active friends also helps, because we keep each other motivated. Staying consistent. Doing shorter or “easier” workouts if I’m too busy/tired/overworked to do longer ones sometimes like taking a walk while listening to a podcast instead of running.

These are the accomplishments that Julie is most proud of, “Running my first marathon this past April. Being a teacher. Traveling all over the world.

Finally this is what Julie would say to someone considering adding a fitness routine to their life, “Do it! Find something you actually enjoy, even if it’s unconventional for fitness, so that you actually want to keep doing it. Put workouts/fitness time into your schedule—actually write or type it in so that you see it. Listen to good music while you work out.”

Thank you Julie for taking the time to share a little more about yourself with our members.  Congratulations on finishing that marathon and thank you for being a part of our Fit Fam!