Member Spotlight: Julia Johnson

This month we are very excited to feature Julia Johnson for our Member Spotlight. Julia has been a member for several years and is one of our faithful 5AM club members. 

Here is a little bit about Julia before Forward Fitness, “I have lived in the St. Louis area my entire life. I grew up and lived in Wildwood until I moved to Columbia, MO for college. I attended Mizzou and graduated with a degree in Journalism. I moved back to St. Louis after college, and currently, I live in the city with my husband and son. 

I was pretty active growing up and played a number of different sports throughout my childhood, but soccer was definitely my favorite and the one I stuck with the longest. I played throughout childhood and into high school. Even after I stopped playing competitive sports, I still enjoyed being active and worked out on my own at a traditional gym before eventually finding Forward Fitness.”

In explaining why health and fitness is important to her, Julia really shows the value of making fitness a lifestyle. “While I’ve always enjoyed being active, my mindset around fitness has absolutely changed as I’ve gotten older. It used to be more about how I looked, and now it’s much more about how I feel, staying healthy overall, and having the energy and ability to keep up with my family. Finding time for myself is a bit more challenging these days in the current season of life that I’m in, which is one of the reasons why fitness has become even more important to me as time has gone on!

Health and fitness are important to me because I want to feel good, have energy, and be the healthiest version of myself for me and my family. I have a 2 year old son, and I want to be able to keep up with the craziness that comes with the toddler years, but also be able to stay active with him for many, many years to come.

I’ve also learned that working out is just as important for my mental health as it is for my physical health. No matter what – no matter how tired I am, how busy I am, how overwhelmed or stressed I am – I always feel better both physically and mentally after I make time for myself and get a workout in.”

It’s always fun to find out how our members found us, “I wanted to find a gym where I felt comfortable, could challenge myself, and actually enjoyed showing up. I had been working out on my own for years, but I wanted more accountability for myself as well as a sense of community. My best friend was also looking for a new gym around the same time as me. She lives right by the gym and would always walk past it, so we decided to inquire about joining, and I’m so thankful that we did! The people, coaches, and overall environment truly make it much easier to stay motivated and keep coming back! It’s also so much fun working out with one of your closest friends!”

We asked Julia about challenges that she has faced and she shared a challenge I think many of us can relate to, “One of my biggest challenges has been learning that consistency doesn’t mean being perfect. Life gets busy, especially with work and having a young child, and there have definitely been times when fitness had to take a backseat. Instead of letting a missed workout turn into weeks or months of not going, I’ve learned to just get back to it. I’ve also had to learn to be patient with myself and understand that progress takes time. Continuing to show up, even when I don’t feel like it, is what has made the biggest difference.”

Her biggest accomplishment fits perfectly, “I’m most proud of simply staying committed to fitness through all of the different seasons of life. My goals and priorities have changed over the years, but I’ve continued to make my health a priority. I’m also proud of the strength I’ve built – not just physically, but mentally. Seeing myself do things now that I once didn’t think I could do is really rewarding.”

Julia also shared how she has made health and fitness a priority in her life. “I think the biggest thing is that fitness has become a part of my lifestyle rather than something I’m doing solely to reach a certain goal. I genuinely enjoy how I feel when I’m active, and I know how much better I feel mentally when I’m taking care of myself. I am a firm believer that making time to show up for myself has allowed me to be a better friend, mom, wife, coworker, and an overall better version of myself. 

Lastly, I do also enjoy setting new goals and challenging myself. Having a gym community that encourages me and keeps me accountable has definitely helped me stay consistent.”

She would give this advice to someone thinking about starting a fitness routine, “Just start! Don’t worry about being in shape before you walk into the gym or think you need to know exactly what you’re doing. Everyone starts somewhere. Find something you enjoy, start small, and focus on being consistent rather than perfect. You don’t have to completely change your lifestyle overnight. Even making a little time for yourself each day can make a huge difference. You’ll probably surprise yourself with what you’re capable of once you just start showing up!”

Julia really summed up the importance of a healthy lifestyle with this, “I love how much fitness has become a part of my life, and I also love that it allows me to be a more energetic and active mom. Outside of the gym, my husband and I are always looking for different ways to be outside and be active with our son. We go on daily walks, and love exploring new areas and trails. We also love hiking with our dogs and our son. Being active has become such a big part of our family’s lifestyle, and I really enjoy that it’s something we can all do together. Overall, fitness has brought so much enjoyment and purpose into my life!”

Thank you Julia for sharing your story with us. You really showcased the importance of making fitness a lifestyle. We are so glad that you are a part of our Fit Fam!