GREATLIFE|FITNESS
2021 was not a great year in so many ways BUT our fitness challengers rose to the occasion and surpassed everyone’s expectations, especially their own! Thanks to a dedicated support team of Rochelle Court at Orangetheory Fitness (OTF); Tricia McDonald of OTF and The Yoga Junction; and Jennifer Velasquez at Simply For Life.
Head coach Rochelle Court says the final decision on picking the winning team was incredibly hard because “everyone was just phenomenal.” Ultimately, the husband-and-wife team of Ryan and Patricia Browning were crowned the champs.
“They encouraged each other, as well as others in the group, had incredible progress, and boosted the community feel. On top of that, they have encouraged their daughter to become active like mom and dad, have both taken it upon themselves to further their training and sign up for races, and they’ve asked questions to fulfill a healthier lifestyle.”
Our six challengers share their inspirational journey here.
SYLVIA AND CHAZ
Sylvia White FINAL
Weight – 158.2 lb
Chest – 35”
Upper ab – 30”
Belly button – 29”
Hips – 42”
What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge?
What I’m most happy about with this experience is all the accomplishments achieved. My weight loss was consistent every week, which helped keep me motivated and focused. I was able to increase my speeds and distances on the treadmill, lift heavier weights, achieve relaxed focus during yoga class, but best of all was I found a love of taking an hour to work out, and take time to do something for myself.
What has surprised you the most?
I was most surprised at how easy it became to establish better health habits after having small victories. I found I was making sure workouts were being booked and set into my schedule. Before this, the idea of working out was not overly appealing, but that has definitely changed. I never thought I would look forward to heading to gym. But I do now! I love to see what challenge I can conquer during that class. My food choices are much better also; I’ve had to remind people that I’m not on a diet, but that I’ve made a lifestyle change.
What skill or technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward?
There are a few lessons I have learned, first being I need to remember to make conscious choices with what and how I’m eating. To not just grab the first thing I see. The fundamental principles I learned will be easy to follow and continue for life. I learned that I can still enjoy my favourite treats now and again, and still maintain a balanced diet. A technique takeaway would be I can do any exercise for a short period of time. I found when I set my mind to ‘we are only doing this for one minute,’ that minute feels very attainable versus ‘we’re here doing this for 60 minutes.’ I found once I was done that minute it really wasn’t that bad, and then I can set my mind to what is coming up for the next minute. I will definitely be continuing with the better food habits as well a continuing to make a habit of setting time aside to keep getting into the gym.
Share an inspirational or funny or frustrating moment your team shared during this challenge.
A funny moment during this challenge was when Chas told me her story about how she fell off the treadmill. We had a good laugh about that. I told her out of the two of us I’m surprised it wasn’t me that did that; I’m the klutz out of the two of us. I was happy she found humor in the situation and it helped set a light tone for the workout that night.
Chas Zahorchak FINAL
Weight – 116 lb
Chest – 33”
Upper ab – 28.5”
Belly button – 29”
Hips – 35”
What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge?
What I’m most happy about with this challenge are the results. I do see the difference but also feel the difference. My clothes fit better, my stomach doesn’t bother me and I’m having to challenge myself more at the gym!
What has surprised you the most?
I was surprised most by my ability to commit. Especially on the food side of the equation. It’s easy to slip up and have a cookie after dinner but it was easy to make the decision not to snack as I was seeing results and felt good.
What skill or technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward?
The lesson I take away the most is really understanding how nutrition impacts my body the way that it does; being able to take this experience and apply what I’ve learned as I need to through the next phase of my life. I feel far more educated about nutrition and without the support of my coach, I’m not sure I would have been able to figure it out on my own.
Share an inspirational or funny or frustrating moment your team shared during this challenge.
Sylvia and I would work out together a few times a week; she didn’t know, but I would secretly try to at least match her in splat points and intensity. But she’s a beast at the gym and I’m still working to beat her level of intensity in a class, whether it’s rowing, weights or on the treadmill. Don’t tell her, but I’m secretly still trying to get there lol. So I guess she has been what’s been inspiring me through the challenge
Tara Street FINAL
Weight – 181.8 lb
Chest – 38”
Upper ab – 33.5”
Belly button – 37”
Hips – 44.75”
What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge?
I have to say what I am most happy about with my experience during the challenge was finding that sense of community and piece of self again. I didn’t realize how much I missed having that in my life and how much it affected my own mind and body connection. To find that feeling of belonging, support and encouragement has been amazing.
What has surprised you the most?
What has most surprised me during this 12 weeks has been the changes in both mind and body. Not only was I able to push my body through the uncomfortable but I also found myself being able to sit in the uncomfortable and find balance in the connection of mind and body. I have been working for a long time to get the two in alignment with each other and can finally feel that connection.
What skill or technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward?
With the busyness of everyday we tend to seek out those quick, easy, fast-results options and what we need to be reminded of is that it’s the work and effort we put into something that gives us the sense of accomplishment and pride, not necessarily the end results. With the challenge structured on making lifestyle changes and not strictly weight loss, I found myself able to truly embrace and enjoy the process instead of worrying or basing my achievements and progress on what the scale said. I learnt to appreciate the everyday successes happening in my body, mind and life and from that create the balance needed to continue long after the challenge is done.
Share an inspirational or funny or frustrating moment your team shared during this challenge.
My inspiration throughout this journey has been my partner Sami, along with all the other challengers. We encouraged each other to push ourselves and also remind each other it was okay to rest when our bodies were calling out. It never felt like you were in competition with anyone; their successes felt like your successes and so there we all were, cheering each other along. I will forever be grateful for the people placed in my life due to this opportunity and I can’t wait to see what’s next for all of us.
I want to thank all of the people that made this experience possible: Orangetheory Fitness, The Yoga Junction, Simply For Life and airdrielife magazine. I honestly don’t have words that can express how much I have learned and grown. My life has changed in such positive ways and all because these businesses decided to take a chance on me. Thank you!
SAMANTHA AND TARA
Samantha Smith FINAL
Weight – 218.2 lb
Chest – 42.75”
Upper ab – 34.5”
Belly button – 39”
Hips – 47”
What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge?
This experience has been amazing and very eye opening in so many ways. I am so thankful for all the incredible professionals that put their time and effort into hearing us and helping us believe in ourselves enough to push through injuries and tough times. In addition, I am most happy with the connections that were made during this challenge. Not only in myself mentally and physically, but also with all the amazing individuals that we got to connect with along the way. They all, in one way or another, helped push me, my teammate and the other teams to that uncomfortable state where we needed to be to challenge the great changes in ourselves.
What has surprised you the most?
I surprised myself in keeping up with the commitment even when I was feeling left behind or alone. My best takeaway and what I have learned is that I need to commit for me. Sometimes staying committed means sitting in an hour-long yoga class to quite literally be still, no thoughts, no movements, just to be present and there for myself.
What skill or technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward?
I am still learning to listen to what my body needs. However, when you can commit, learn and challenge the changes for yourself, that is when you can become a better version of yourself.
Our team shared a lot of great moments together; my favourite would be learning how similar we actually are, without realizing it; it’s like we share the same brain sometimes. I am beyond grateful for Tara. We worked hard to reach our goals. We also learned from the other teams and gained some valuable friendships along the way. It is nice to find others who share similar struggles, who can be real about it, and who truly want to see others succeed. I look forward to seeing how we all continue in our health and wellness journey, and I am excited for these new relationships that were built.
Patricia Browning FINAL
Weight – 232.4 lb
Chest – 45”
Upper ab – 38”
Belly button – 35”
Hips – 51”
What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge?
Where do I even begin in choosing what has made me the most happy throughout this experience? I have been lucky enough to meet amazing people. Orangetheory really is an amazing little community filled with the most empowering group of individuals. I have met awesome people in all different points in their fitness journey. I have been lucky enough to build a friendship with two of my competitors, Tara and Sam! We have made plans to continue our journey together, after this is all over. I am happy to have discovered yoga with The Yoga Junction and cannot imagine my life without it. It is truly the calm that I never realized my life was missing. I am thankful for Simply For Life for the knowledge I received on how to fuel my body in a way that serves it best. I am so happy that I have got to complete this journey next to my husband. It’s amazing how you can be together for nearly 10 years and yet discover so much more about one another. Before we started this competition I had high cholesterol, I was taking medication for GERD, I was extremely sedentary, I had no energy, I was depressed… I am now working out five times a week, fuelling my body with what it needs versus eating to eat. I am making time to focus on my mental health, I’m no longer on medication and my cholesterol is now in a healthy zone!! I am probably the most ecstatic that this competition has literally changed my life.
What has surprised you the most about yourself?
I am most surprised that I was able to cut more than four minutes off my mile run! Before I would only run if I was playing sports, but I actually find it therapeutic. Who would have known I could ever enjoy running? I’ve really learned that weight doesn’t define physical ability. I am more capable than I ever gave myself credit for.
What skill or technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward?
I am soaking in every single lesson and technique I have learned so far and I am running with it, for life. This competition was the perfect kickstart to my amazing journey of health and wellness. I am going to continue eating to fuel my body in a healthy manner. I am going to continue to slay the gym at Orangetheory. I am going to continue to ease my mind and honour my body at yoga and most importantly I am going to continue to love myself because my journey is far from over. Also, a good bra and running shoes go a long way.
Share an inspirational, funny or frustrating moment your team shared during the challenge.
I can think of so many funny moments through this challenge and of course a few frustrating ones. I think this competition for me brought so many people from different walks of life that have each inspired me in one way or another… and they may not even know it. There is one lady at Orangetheory named Toby who is a true gem. You knew Toby was in your class because she made it that much more motivating. I know she helped cheer Ryan and I through some tough workouts. I am also amazed and inspired by my husband for the amazing accomplishments he made in both his mental and physical health. He is so amazing and I have said it a million times but I am so grateful to have shared this experience with him!
I just want to finish off by saying that this competition has truly changed my life. I cannot say enough thanks for being one of the lucky six who were selected to take part in this journey! Thank you to whoever made that happen and believed in my story! This is the beginning of a new and amazing chapter in my life. I am and will be forever grateful.
WINNERS! RYAN AND PATRICIA
Ryan Browning FINAL
Weight – 206.6 lb
Chest – 44”
Upper ab – 39.75”
Belly button – 37”
Hips – 41.5”
- What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge?
I’m most happy about the progress and new healthy habits I have developed during this challenge. I was never after weight loss or muscle mass. I wanted more energy and vitality.
I found it all. For that I’m happy and grateful for my new habits and community I have become a part of.
What has surprised you the most about yourself?
What surprised me the most was how fast and far I developed in what seemed to be such a short period of time. In the start I struggled to hit 1.4 miles on the treadmill. Now I’m running three to four miles with half the effort. Yoga was also a big surprise to me as well. Honouring my mind and body has changed my view of myself and how I live and has helped me to manage my day to day.
What skill or technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward?
I would say having my wife as my partner in this challenge and new lifestyle has been the best skill we both developed. Having support and my best friend beside me through the transformation has showed me anything is possible. The desire to change must be greater than the desire to stay the same. More so when it’s as a united front.
Share an inspirational, funny or frustrating moment your team shared during the challenge.
What has been inspiring for me is seeing my whole family being healthier and stronger. My seven-year-old daughter wants to run and fuel her body with healthy “fuel” and understands she must go to bed early to rest her mind and body.
It has inspired me to be someone to lead and look up too. I want to continue to set the bar and be the example and inspiration for my whole family and friends.
I’m very happy and thankful for this opportunity. It started out as a challenge and has turned into a new lifestyle. My new goal for myself is to do a 70.3 triathlon in July. I’m thankful for all the people I have met and helped me with my goals. It’s truly a community looking out and cheering you on.
