I have wanted to write something about Mike for a while now, I know my past blogs have been about boot camp and ways that he has brought our community together – but I wanted to share the success stories that he has helped create.
Last year around this time, I was looking for something to do to get in shape for my wedding, I asked one of my best friends and bridesmaid to come check out this local boot camp with me. She agreed and after the first class we were so sore that we almost didn’t go to the next class. We both showed up saying how we should’ve stayed home – but then Mike gave us kudos for showing up for our second class, which instantly was a confidence booster! In that second class, I was doing things that I never imagined being able to do – and completely surprised myself, which then got me hooked! I wanted to continue to give it my all and see just how much I can actually do.
In the past year of joining Mike’s program I have ran 2 5ks (I know this does not seem like a lot, but if you know me, you know my running skills are not the greatest! Signing up for one, was an accomplishment in itself) and I also completed a Tough Mudder at Mount Snow in May, also another thing that I can honestly say I probably would have never done if it wasn’t for the confidence that Mike has given me. I can go on all day about my story, but I’d much rather share others. I have asked for some fellow boot campers to share their stories with me so I can write this piece – I’m excited to be able to do this. Hopefully after reading these stories, you will have some inspiration to come out and give it a try! Hey, If I can do it, anyone can!
Heather Conner, 32, single mother of three Kids, is the first story I want to share. Most of her time has been devoted to her kids and putting everyone else first – finally hitting a rough patch and overcoming it, she decided it was time to do something for herself.
In Heather’s testimonial to me, she wrote “a friend of the family, Kelly Mento, had mentioned a Bootcamp that was held in town at various local fields that seemed interesting. So, I called for prices and talked to Mike Romano, who is the trainer for Maximum Results Bootcamp - he sounded genuine and he really wanted to help me achieve my goals.”
In April 2012 she began Boot camp, she said “I felt sick to my stomach driving to each Bootcamp, not knowing what Mike would throw at us for a workout. We were running, doing obstacle courses, weighted bar exercises, 1000 Rep Thursdays...this was crazy. I had a hard time keeping up with everyone, but there was a variety of people - fit and really in shape, overweight and out of shape, older, young, middle-aged.” There was one thing that Mike said to her that made all of this easier for her - "I expect YOUR 100% each time. YOUR 100% is different than mine and the person next to you"; and that’s what she did, she gave HER 100% and in her first three months, not only did she lose 20 pounds and 3 dress sizes, she felt a sense of accomplishment that she was able to make it through the workouts that were thrown at her. Heather’s list of accomplishments is exciting – from keeping her New Year’s Resolution to running her first 5K. She ended her letter to me with this “All of these things would have NEVER been possible if it was not for my new Bootcamp Family and Mike Romano who I can lean on for support and encouragement.”
The second story comes from Colleen Wall Debiase - Prospect resident, married with 3 kids. She was introduced to Bootcamp by myself and my friend who started going a year ago. She writes “Boot camp provided me with a way to get back in shape and keep it outdoors and in a group environment, as well as keeping it at a low cost. It took me a good 10 months to get back in shape, I am down 2 dress/jean sizes and I noticed that the more I worked out in Boot camp, the better I felt about myself. I not only benefited from the physical aspects of working out, but also the mental. I was able to leave my dead-end job, and have the confidence to branch out my own and start my own bookkeeping business. I’ve met a lot of nice people in boot camp that I would have not encountered in life, had I not joined. I still eat like a pig and drink like fish, but I know the calories will be burned off at boot camp.”
The last story I have is from Marianne Galardi – Her journey to change her life started with one doctor’s visit. When he said that she was pre-diabetic she knew then that she had to take charge and begin fresh with a new attitude towards herself and the food that she was eating.
Mike Romano has played a huge part in her transformation. When she started more than 4 years ago, you could not have told her that she would lose more than 100 pounds. She writes “It has been a wild ride at times. Mike and the crew at The Club have been wonderful with providing me with dietary and supplemental tips. I know for certain that I would not have made it this far without my trainer. His no nonsense workouts really keep me focused on my weight loss goals. I have more energy, more self-esteem and a more positive outlook about life. “
I hope these stories inspire some people to get up and take control! There's help right in your backyard! Life’s too short to be unhappy with yourself, so get up and do something that is not only fun, but also rewarding!
Feel free to contact me with any questions about boot camp!
