Whenever I design a workout for our Bootcamp locations, I always give it a second look, thinking: ‘will this be hard enough for ANNIE?”. According to her trainer, Scott, “Annie leads the pack. She rips through the “harder” options and quite often is the first to arrive at 5:45am with a contagious smile.” Oh – and did we mention that she runs to Bootcamp as a warm up and then, just when we think we’ve kicked her ass, she cheerfully jogs home?
Name
Annie McDonald
Age
41
Occupation
Interior stylist/designer and co-owner of the Michael Johnston music studio.
How long have you been training with us?
A year
Were you always an exerciser?
I have been a runner for most of my adult life
What made you sign up for a FFG Bootcamp?
I started to feel that I needed a bit of a kick in the ass to supplement my running after a long, cold, indulgent winter
How has being an FFG Bootcamper changed your life?
Oh, let me count the ways!
First, the sense of community. I love our little crew and I’ve been welcomed so warmly any time I have worked out with the crews from other locations.
I have never been a gym goer nor worked out or run with a group before, so I was very suspicious at the beginning
– but now I take so much joy in being part of this gang!
Secondly, the sense of sweaty accomplishment at the end of every workout – especially on these sick, hot days when I’d rather be quietly mainlining an iced coffee somewhere in the shade.
Thirdly, I now feel like I can do anything
– and that Oonagh and her people always have my back.
What do you do when you are not Bootcamping?
I am mother to two sweet kids so I hang out with them and my awesome husband; scour the city for treasures for my clients and friends; rearrange other people’s furniture (almost always with permission); run; read; listen to records; make art; and Instagram all of the above.
What’s your major fitness goal right now?
To execute a pull up.
I am also coming back from an injury, so I am currently trying to balance going hard at the workouts with not re-injuring myself. Tricky!
What about coming to Bootcamp makes you jump out of bed at 5am singing the Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music?
Equalizer pull-ups, hill running, the light in the park in the morning, my High Park crew
What exercise or drill makes you cower under your bed covers and pretend you don’t hear your alarm?
Stairs! Burpees! Anything involving bear crawl!
Best/funniest Bootcamp moment?
The time when the drawstring on my shorts came undone and I literally ran my pants off
What advice would you give someone who is just starting out with FFG Bootcamps or just thinking about it?
Just try it. And then try it again. And so on.
What is the accomplishment or personal milestone you are most proud of?
Honestly, attendance: aside from the times when I’ve been out of town, I have only missed one day of Bootcamp since I started.
I may be hungover / sleepless / accompanied by my kids / still in the clothes I slept in, but I try to always be there.
Did Annie’s fitness story inspire you? Leave a comment below and share with anyone else who could use some extra motivation this August!
Great post Oonagh! Annie is definitely an inspiring and motivating force to work out with in the mornings.
Alright Annie!
You rock, Annie!!
[…] people who support you living a healthy life. You might notice that whenever we feature the monthly Fitness Stories, everyone mentions that the other people on the team as their favourite part about Bootcamp. And […]