by: Leah Isaacson
Remember in elementary school when gym class would come around? The feeling of sweet relief that you could go and take your small child angst out on a kickball? I always liked gym class…until that dreaded day from hell would come around. The day your peers would become your enemies and your gym teacher the judge. Yup. You know what I’m talking about: the day you were timed on how long it took you to climb the rope to the ceiling and timed on how long you could hang and hold your chin up over the monkey bars. YES. THAT DAY.
I could never climb the rope. Heck, it hurt my hands to even look at it. And don’t even get me started on that chin hold monkey bar crap, because I would just drop off right away. I was like, “Nope. Nope. Not happening,” while dropping to the floor and feeling a wave of embarrassment.
Fast forward to high school. The summer before my junior year I lost a lot of weight and was feeling pretty darn good. I was pumped for volleyball tryouts and captains practice because I had been working on my sick V-ball skills all summer. There I was at captains practice, feelin’ good in my spandex shorts and wearing an “I LOVE NY” t-shirt to go with it. The football guys had just come in from their practice and they were all standing at the gym window peering in, so naturally I was ready to show off. It was box jump time. But our boxes were made of wood, and they were big and…tall. When it was my turn to go, I got up there feeling like everyone was watching. As I jumped up – not high enough, clearly – I biffed it and and hit my nose, causing it to bleed in front of the volleyball team and, yes, all the football guys. Talk about a humbling moment. Why am I telling you these stories of defeat of my adolescence?
Fast forward to present day. I had heard of Alchemy before I went out to California. It looked awesome but…intimidating. I accomplished a lot while I was in Cali-land and came back to Minnesota craving to get back into a work out routine. I had a gym membership but I never felt a difference. I knew it was time for Alchemy. I mustered up the courage and finally too one of the free A10 classes. “Grab a box,” the coach said. Uh oh. Box jumps. As I stared at the box in front of me and at the bar above me, I realized that these things that once held me back aren’t going to have a hold on me anymore. I’m going to be better than these fears.
I expected to just go in to Alchemy, have a hip, fun workout for free, and leave never to see or be able to afford Alchemy again. To my surprise, I found out that this was the place for me. The place for me to defeat and beat my fears into the ground. To accomplish my goals, even if they may be small. I received the 2-week Micro 365 Challenge as a gift – the best gift I ever got.
I committed and made time for my workouts, whether it was way before the sun rose or way after the sun set. And a funny thing was happening to me: I never dreaded it like I did in my past. Every workout I did over the next couple weeks propelled me to see results and to feel stronger. I felt more energized, my mood was better, and I was getting better sleep. The recipes and meal plan throughout the Micro Challenge were awesome, practical, and easy which was perfect for me because I’m not the best cook. I stuck with the Micro Challenge and I was seeing results, but more importantly, feeling results – both mentally and physically.
The 2 weeks ended and I felt like I was going through a break up. That’s not how this ends, right? Is it really over? Then, I decided I needed Alchemy in my life and I got a membership. It was time to pursue my legend. Alchemy is filled with passion. Passionate people showing up to workout and test their strength, and passionate coaches and leaders. My box jumps are graduating to the bigger boxes slowly and my pull-ups, well, they’re not quite there yet, but I’ll get there. Hopefully without accidentally kicking a coach…my bad! If the band slaps you in the face or gets tangled all up in your legs, laugh about it, keep going. Fall off the box? Get up, laugh about it, keep going.
I’m on this journey of facing my fears and I’m stoked. Gyms can be intimidating. But I promise you, Alchemy is all about community and supporting one another. And who wouldn’t want to be apart of that?
Leah is an actor and improviser in the Twin Cities. She produces and hosts a monthly comedy show called Brewprov. She recently came back from a stint in California going to The Groundlings. When not on stage trying to be funny she enjoys family time and friend time.
