Melisa Hartsock
Melisa came in two years ago ready for a fight. Despite being out of shape and wanting to make some serious lifestyle changes, she wasn’t going to comply to her coaches demands without doing it her way. If we were going to put her outside of her comfort zone physically, she was going to give it right back any way she could – usually in the form of a seriously sarcastic sense of humor. But it was that strong will that has kept her coming back three to four days per week for her 5am Force Fit Group Conditioning classes, despite having a 40 minute drive to get to the facility!
There has been a lot of give and take with Melisa and the coaching staff, but her work hard play harder mentality has struck a chord with the staff and the other members of the 5am crew. She has become the self-appointed Tzar of sarcasm, which seems to unify the training group’s disdain of bear crawls or burpees and help everybody get through some of the more challenging training sessions.
We are proud to have Melisa as part of our family. Here’s a little about her journey in her own words:
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Melisa Hartsock. I am 41, married, a professional businesswoman.
I work for a company that does insurance processing with banks and lenders for collateral protection, and I work directly with the lenders to ensure that their collateral is protected in case of damages. I have been training at Force Barbell for almost two years. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][It will be two years] February 2nd.
What is your motivation to train?
My motivation to train initially was that I had a nephew that was going to get married in the Bahamas, and I wanted to look cute at a beachside wedding. The wedding plans fell through, although they’re still getting married just in Indiana. I decided after I started this program I liked it; scary, I actually kind of loved it so I just kept coming back. Now, with strength and conditioning I feel better, I look better, I eat better, sleep better. All in all, it started out nice vacation in a cute dress, and it turned into I feel a lot better 2 years later.
A recent photo with Coach Miller, showing off the new hoodies!
You aren’t the typical athlete/lifter type that people have come to associate with Force Barbell. How did you get started, and what were your feelings when you first walked through the door?
I got in here on a whim for one of my coworkers; almost kind of like a dare and then I kept coming back. I was scared to death when I first walked through the door because I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I’ve never done a program like this. I’ve never really worked out, I’ve never really exercised. I would go on a leisurely walk once in a while or a bike ride with friends, but never something programmed.
Force Barbell can be intimidating for people who first walk through the door and aren’t use to this type of training environment. How have we been able to help you overcome that obstacle, and ease your fears when it comes to training?
It was the little push, “Come on, you can do this.”
I came in here with the mindset, “I can’t do that, I can’t do that.” But the coaches here are like “Yes, you can. You can do it!” It’s just changing your mindset.
Before Force Barbell
Now, I’ve actually stepped out of my box, my comfort zone, and not just here. Coming to Force you hear, “you can do this, you can do this.” It carries over – I’ve also done it at work, personal life, family life. I don’t just sit back anymore, I venture out and try new things, which Force Barbell was a new thing for me. So, basically stepping out of the box knowing I’ve got the support. “You can do this, just give it a try.”
That’s awesome! One of the things we talk about a lot is “Changing lives through movement.” How what we do here is not just improving fitness levels and helping people lose weight or be better athletes, but how it’s so much bigger than that! Can you expand on that a little bit.
It’s definitely an experience. By stepping out of the box there are always those new experiences that you encounter whether it’s personal or professional. I know I’ve stepped out of the box at work. I’m voicing my opinion, which has kind of got me to the next level professionally. It’s helped me do more mentoring and training; and helping others in stepping out of the box and getting out of their comfort zone, finding a new comfort zone. You just kind of push yourself to do it. That’s what Force Barbell has done for me.
“Professional” Businesswoman
Changed mindsets and professional accomplishments, how awesome! What are some of your proudest achievements since starting Force Barbell on the fitness side of things?
I can flip a 550 pound tire (laughs), that’s very cool. That I never thought I could do. I never wanted to do, but then you come in here and do it! It’s like you’ve got to have a goal to hit and then that one more step, one more step. Okay [I’ve done] the little tire, I want to flip that big one. And I did it!
550 Pound Tire Flip!
So, that’s cool, just knowing that I can do it. People ask me, “Why do you do it?” Because I can! Is there any other reason, do I have to have a reason? That’s pretty cool.
I’ve hit some weight loss goals, where I’ve dropped some of that weight that I’ve been wanting to drop. I’ve lost about 40 lbs. and I’m still working on that. It’s definitely sticking to the eating habits, the work out habits, just your mind set again. No more second plates just because it’s there. It’s just changing those habits to do that. As well as making the habit to get in here.
And there are more accomplishments to be had!
Absolutely! Always seek improvement. Thank you very much Melisa.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]