Welcome to another edition of our Member of the Month series, where we feature some of the amazing people who are part of our Loyobo FIT family. We think it is important to share their stories to help inspire others and to celebrate their amazing accomplishments!
This month that member is Kelsey Bradfield, who is one of our VIP members. Kelsey’s wonderful smile and upbeat personality is loved by our instructors and members alike. We love the positive energy she brings to classes and how supportive and kind she is towards her fellow members. We are so proud of her journey at Loyobo FIT and the commitment she’s shown towards her health and fitness goals especially during these times!
This month, KELSEY, we celebrate YOU! We are so grateful to know you. Thank you for being a part of our family and for sharing your story with us!
How long have you been coming to Loyobo FIT and what initially inspired you to try a class?
I started taking classes with Loyobo in November 2019. I joined Loyobo two months after I initially found their Instagram page. I had been creeping on their posts since I moved to Guelph but was trying to get over my initial fear and intimidation of joining group classes. I decided to take a risk and see if it be a good fit after realizing I needed some consistency in my life after moving away from my friends, family, and my job of seven years. I met up with Courtney for my initial meeting and I was blown away with how welcoming and inclusive the gym was, I walked out with a membership and 100% confidence that I made the right fitness decision.
What are your top 3 health and fitness goals?
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To develop a consistent routine when it comes to my fitness, like so many people I would be full on with my health and fitness for a month and then drop it just as quickly. All the starting and stopping had a negative effect on my sense of self worth but I found seeing familiar faces in my classes has been a wonderful motivator.
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To increase my cardio. Have you ever seen the Friends episode where Phoebe runs? That is a very similar to my current technique but we all have to start somewhere.
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Learn to enjoy cooking for myself on a regular basis.
What is one of the challenges that you have faced in your health/fitness journey? What have you found most helpful in working to overcome it?
I have always had issues with negative self worth which led me to feel a real disconnect with my body. I viewed my body in a way where I always focused more on what it couldn’t do instead of what it could. This sense was only amplified in 2012 when I temporarily lost some use of my neck and experienced some muscle loss in my left arm after a train accident. After trying bootcamps and crash diets to punish my body for not performing and looking “acceptable”, I decided to change my mindset to be kind and patient. I would never tell someone that they are not working out hard enough, so why would I tell it to myself? Loyobo has helped me be patient with myself and realize every workout is a new opportunity to try something new.
What was your life like before you started at Loyobo FIT? How did you feel about your body?
I had just started getting back into fitness/nutrition before I moved to Guelph. I was taking indoor rowing classes twice a week and trying out lifting weights. However, after moving to Guelph my routine was completely thrown off and I fell back into not working out, watching way too much Netflix and being very angry at myself for lacking motivation. I was frustrated in every single way.
What has changed since you joined the Loyobo Family and started coming to class regularly?
I really appreciate the time I spend in classes not only do I feel like my body is getting stronger, I have learned so much about fitness and self love. It is very hard to put yourself down when you are constantly hearing and receiving support from the Loyobo staff and all the members. It has been amazing to see other members start their journey in a very similar position as me (vying for a mat at the back of the class) and watch them grow in confidence to come all the way to the front of the class. It is a wonderful feeling that even if I am having a horrible day, there will be a constant positive experience when I get to class.
What is your favorite memory or achievement of your time at Loyobo FIT?
Honestly, I have had so many amazing memories in class at Loyobo FIT but the one that really sticks out is from one of my first classes I took. It was Bring Your Dog Yoga with Kirstie and I am not going to lie, I did very little yoga because I was taking in all the dogs and desperate to play with every one of them. It was amazingly relaxed after that class and had so much fun. I thought any gym that is okay with dogs, is okay with me. Also have to give a shoutout to the previously in person Tuesday morning classes with Melanie, those classes were tough and never the same. I loved working out with the Tuesday morning crew, we went through so many wall sits/squats/burpees and they never made fun of me whenever I couldn’t wear my glasses because they fogged up.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their health and fitness journey?
Be kind to yourself.
What is your favorite class and why?
I don’t really have a favourite class because they all give me something that I really enjoy in fitness. Yoga and Pilates allows me to slow down and take a second to listen to what my body needs. While Tone & Flex and Sculpt & Sweat allows me to set mini goals for myself each class. It has been super rewarding to increase the weights with each class, I really enjoy the challenge of lifting heavy things apparently!
What is your favorite snack?
I love anything I can dip, so lately I have been making my own sweet potato chips and dipping them in hummus.
Anything else you would like to share?
Loyobo FIT is such a special community, I am so grateful to be a part of it. Courtney and the rest of the staff have been such an amazing support during this crazy time. I am amazed and so appreciative of how quickly the Loyobo staff was able to pivot when everything shut down at the beginning of the pandemic. Their generosity and understanding at the beginning of the pandemic allowed me to continue to be a member when my hours were cut at work. I will forever be grateful. THANK YOU!
Congratulations Kelsey! You deserve this moment in the spotlight as we celebrate the awesomeness that is YOU. THANK YOU for including us as part of your journey and for sharing your story. Your positive spirit, strength and kindness inspires us all and we are so grateful to have you as part of our Loyobo Family!
Feeling inspired? You could be our next Member of the Month! Try a class today with our 2 week trial pass which gives you unlimited access to our outdoor and online classes. Our classes and community are a source of love, support and strength as we navigate the uncertainty that surrounds us!
See you all again soon!
– Sobia