Member Spotlight: Nicky Hogg
This month we are so excited to feature Nicky Hogg for our member spotlight. Nicky is one of the nicest people I have ever met and she puts in 100% effort into all of her workouts and it shows. She inspires me to reach for those heavier weights. If you read these regularly or have been featured you may have figured out that I send people some questions and then use their answers to write up these features. Nicky went above and beyond for me and used all the questions to do her own write up! I love it! So I hope you will take a few minutes to learn a little more about Nicky.
“I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. All through grade school and a bit into high school, I played sports; I swam on the neighborhood swim team every summer for years, loved volleyball, softball, basketball and soccer. I always worked out with friends through college and have always been active, interested and conscious about health and wellness.
I married my high school sweetheart and raised 3 amazing boys who are now 27, 25, & 21. While raising our boys, a good friend of mine started a boot camp for moms that worked out together at 530am 3x a week and I did that for 20+ years. We talked, we laughed and we got sweaty together before heading home to get the kids to school, it was the best way to start the day!
Life took a turn when my oldest sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She fought valiantly and gracefully for almost 7 years but lost the battle in 2018 at the age of 60. After her diagnosis, I was encouraged to do genetic testing which revealed a gene that gives me a high likelihood of developing ovarian and/or breast cancer. This sent me on a journey to do everything in my power to reduce these risks which included two major prophylactic surgeries. There were a lot of setbacks physically and emotionally but my resolve to stay healthy, fit and active took on a whole new meaning.
In 2023, my dearest girlfriend had joined a gym called Forward Fitness and she raved about it. I was at a point in my life where I knew I needed more from my workouts. My internist was telling me to lift heavier and concentrate on bone density given my situation. My friend Michelle told me I could definitely find what I was looking for at Forward Fitness so I gave it a try in November of 2023. I knew immediately that this was exactly where I needed to be. Mike, Suzanne, Cati and Joe are so knowledgeable, so kind and encouraging and they meet you where you are in your fitness journey. I love the challenges, I love the games and I love the spirit wear! By the way, Does this count for a Bingo square?? Working out at FF is so amazing because you know the community is working towards the same goal and enjoying each other along the way!
I had never picked up a kettle bell before joining Forward Fitness and now I love working out with them-especially the Saturday morning class where you learn all different kinds of ways to use them! I had also never given much thought about mobility work until joining FF. It has now become a huge part of my daily routine and has helped me stay very agile so I can keep up with my two granddaughters!
I am motivated every day to do everything I can to be the best version of myself for my family and friends. Forward Fitness has helped me tremendously in this endeavor and I am so grateful for this place.”
Thank you Nicky for sharing your story with us. And see I’ll see what I can do about getting you a Bingo square in April.