We’re doing something a little different this month because we have TWO clients of the month for November. We have Tricia Ubelhor and Jan Smith. The reason they have both been named client of the month is because they are a perfect representation of what we try to create at Force Barbell.
Tricia and Jan both started at Force Barbell around the same time a little over a year ago. They were both training together at a different location focusing on more cardio and bodyweight training. They both wanted to get a little more experience with weight training and Tricia was the first to find us. Before too long Tricia had told Jan about her experience and within a couple of weeks Jan started at Force Barbell as well.
The reason why Tricia and Jan represent what Force Barbell is all about is because they came in intimidated, knowing nothing about strength training at a facility that is heavily routed upon the foundations of strength training. It is an intimidating environment for those not exposed to a facility like Force Barbell, but Tricia and Jan both came in with a positive attitude looking to learn more and get stronger. Tricia and Jan have both progressed from struggling through group conditioning classes to now being competitors on the Force Barbell Strength Squad! This is a huge amount of improvement and mindset shift in one year and it is what we are constantly preaching at Force. Always seek improvement and look to strive to reach the next best thing. Tricia and Jan have done just that and now we will let them tell you more….
From Tricia…
Force Barbell: Tell us a little about yourself. (age, job, family, hobbies, sports, etc.)
Tricia: I’m 42, happily married to Jeremy for 12 years
2 kids – Daughter – Bailey 23, Son – Lucas 18
My hobby is the gym and my sport is Weightlifting.
I am a former runner who is turning into a Weightlifter.
FB: What is your favorite exercise?
T: I don’t know if I have a favorite. Right now my least favorite is overhead squats and my goal is to make that my favorite.
FB: Why do you train?
T: I train for strength and to prove to myself that I can do this. I grew up in a house with 3 brothers and always felt left out of things because I was a girl. So I’m going to prove I can because I am a woman.
FB: How long have you been training at Force Barbell and how did you get started?
T: I have been coming to Force for about a year and a half now. I had run by a few times and was drawn to the clinking sound of the weights. It peaked my interest, however I was a little intimidated at first. It was something new and a little bit scary. When I received the flyer for the Spring Fling in 2015 I decided to go for it. I have never regretted walking through that door.
FB: What were your emotions and feelings when you were taking that first step?
T: At first I was very intimidated and definitely outside of my comfort zone. But I knew that this was what I was looking for so I just kept coming. Now I look forward to stepping out of my comfort zone when I train.
FB: What were your goals?
T: I had been a runner for a few years and was getting bored with it. I was wanting to get more into weight lifting and to be in a more social atmosphere. My original goals were to just get stronger and stay healthy.
FB: What goals have you been able to accomplish?
T: I have far surpassed what I originally thought was strong for me.
FB: What new goals have you set for yourself?
T: Currently my goals are to learn how to properly Snatch, Clean and Jerk and to just lift heavy weights. It is definitely a process, but I am confident that if I just keep trying I will succeed.
FB: What advice would you give to a new member or somebody looking to get started?
T: Be willing to take that first step. We grow the most outside of our comfort zone. I came in alone, not knowing anyone. Every coach I met, every person training in the facility was friendly, kind and more than willing to help me. The coaches are the best, they truly care about your health, your growth and your goals. Whether you are a beginner, recovering from an injury or a national competitor they will work with you on your level. People should not feel like they need to “get in shape” before they start coming to the gym. I don’t just come here to train, it’s my therapy and my social life. It’s the place I go to work off anger and frustration. It’s the place I go to celebrate a victory or a milestone. It’s the place I go to see friendly familiar faces. It is definitely more than just a building where people come to train, it’s a family. I’m proud to be a member of the Force Family!
Tricia crushing some snatch variation work.
Now From Jan…
Force Barbell: Tell us a little about yourself. (age, job, family, hobbies, sports, etc.)
Jan: Growing up in a small town in southern Illinois, I was very active in sports in High School including volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. Then after joining the work force full time, I got off track and out of shape. I just turned 40 in January. My husband Aaron and I have one son Andrew, who is a 5th grader at HIJH. Having lived in various places for work including St. Louis, MO and Naples, FL we moved to Fishers in 2012. I am a Funeral Director and the VP of Operations for Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Homes. My job requires a lot of hours, so when I am not working I am watching my son play travel basketball, track, or baseball.
FB: What is your favorite exercise?
J: I don’t know that I have a favorite exercise. I love to mix it up, so I love to jump from one thing to the next. That is why I loved the group training sessions when I was getting started.
FB: Why do you train?
J: I train to remain functional in my every day life. My job requires a lot of physical activity and can be extremely stressful. Training at Force is an outlet for me while helping me build confidence, strength, and endurance.
FB: How long have you been training at Force Barbell and how did you get started?
J: I started a fitness journey to get back on track in 2012. I was losing weight but in High School the girls were pushed to do more cardio. I realized I needed strength training. After trying other programs and hitting a plateau, I joined Force a little over a year ago at the recommendation of Tricia Ubelhor (as we had attended a boot camp program together previously).
FB: What were your emotions and feelings when you were taking that first step?
J: I was extremely nervous to start a new program. I had lifted dumbbells and used weight machines at other gyms but had not lifted with barbells. When I first started and had to be corrected on form on almost every exercise I was discouraged. But the trainers were so patient and encouraging I kept at it. Once I started to figure out my form, I couldn’t believe how quickly I moved up in weights I could lift.
FB: What were your goals?
J: My original goals were to reduce body fat, tone, and gain strength.
FB: What goals have you been able to accomplish?
J: I have accomplished all of those goals plus some. I joined Strength Squad about 3 months ago after almost a year in the group classes. The more I train at Force, the more I am encouraged to move up to the next level.
FB: What new goals have you set for yourself?
J: I have never set goals to be in competitions. But with the encouragement of the coaches at Force I participated in my first Crossfit competition this summer and my first weightlifting competition a few weeks ago. I didn’t feel ready for either. But are you ever really ready when it’s something new and you have no idea what to expect? I am an extremely competitive person, but I have learned to love just finishing no matter where I place. I just regret at 40 that I didn’t start at a place like Force in my 20’s. My goals are to continue learning form in weightlifting and beating every PR to date.
FB: What advice would you give to a new member or somebody looking to get started?
J: My advice would be to just get started. Just showing up is half of the battle. Do not get discouraged at first when you feel you can’t do everything to scale or are lacking in form. Don’t compare yourself to others or worry about what other people are lifting. Just focus forward on yourself and your own personal goals. It’s a great environment with great coaches. You might even be lucky enough to overhear one of Tyler’s lessons on lifting (aka life lessons). It’s truly a gym focused on the bigger picture – a better you physically and mentally.
Jan getting her mind dialed in and crushing some box jumps!