Congratulations to our January Fitness Instructor of the Month, Whitney Goates!

Check out her story here:

I always thought I hated to exercise. In my preteen and teenage years, I was on a competitive cheerleading team, and eventually joined my high school cheerleading team. Conditioning was a form of “punishment” for being late, not paying attention, or goofing off during practice. If you drop a stunt, you run a lap. For every minute you were late to practice, you had to run a bleacher. No wonder I hated it so much!

Throughout my early twenties I actively avoided exercise. After I had my first baby I fell into a deep postpartum depression. Being a mom now consumed my life and I felt like I had nothing that I enjoyed for myself. One day, a friend invited me to a High Fitness class at our local church. I had no idea what to expect, but after I attended that first class, I was HOOKED! Participating in High Fitness was the first time I genuinely enjoyed exercising! The moves, the music, and the people kept me coming back. I loved it so much, I decided to get certified in High Fitness in March of 2022. I began teaching High Fitness at Carbon Valley Rec Center in October 2022.

In April of 2024, my boss and mentor Suzi asked me if I would consider getting certified in Bodypump. I was SO intimidated! I had never lifted weights in my life… and she wanted me to teach other people how to do it?! I started attending Bodypump classes and fell in love with the format and the community. I decided to certify in Bodypump in June of 2024, and it has been one of the best things I’ve ever done! Learning how to lift weights has given me so much confidence, in all aspects of my life. I have loved feeling myself get stronger and being able to achieve new goals. I’ve especially enjoyed fusing my two passions together (High Fitness and Bodypump) in my Monday morning Bodypump/High class. It’s such a fun way to get strength training and cardio all in one!

Through the past 3 years, I have discovered that exercise isn’t a form of punishment… It is a break from the obligations of the real world. And it’s meant to be FUN! Being a part of this community has brought so much joy to my life, and I hope to bring joy to yours! As your instructor, I want you to leave my classes with a smile on your face and feeling better than you did when you came. Hope you will join me in class!