Name: Brenda Reid
Age: 47
Location: Colorado
How did you find out about Girls Gone Strong?
A friend of mine shared it with me after finding it transformational for herself. I lurked the Facebook site for about 18 months before finally signing up for Strongest You Coaching.
What do you do?
I work in software development, which translates into way too much time sitting behind a keyboard.
What else do you do?
I love to travel, garden, practice yoga, cooking, and my favorite time is spent in the outdoors with family and friends.
Favorite Exercise:
It probably sounds crazy, but I love push-ups and dead bugs! When I started my Strongest You Coaching journey I couldn’t even hold dead bug position. No – not for a second. I received a ton of encouragement from Jen and kept going, and now I find myself actually enjoying them! A favorite moment for me was showing my four-year-old granddaughter this exercise, and now she’s very proud that she can deadbug too. Push-ups also became a fast favorite for me. Mine are still inclined, so I find myself testing out various surfaces in random places. I can feel them working!
Something about executing a push-up with great form makes me feel very strong.
Top 3 things you must have with you at the gym or in your gym bag:
I don’t go to a gym, I work out at home, but my staples are my yoga mat, resistance bands, and my infinity strap. And my foam roller! One thing I love about my resistance bands is their “packability.” I travel a lot and being able to work out in my hotel room has been fantastic.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
My knee-jerk answer is ‘alone’—but then I realized how much I found myself enjoying working out with my husband after I started Strongest You Coaching. While our routines are different, the two of us doing it at the same time was great company and the common goal was a real motivator. But beyond that you won’t find me at a gym or in a crowd, too distracting for me.
Best compliment you’ve received lately:
“Gramma you’re strong!” from my four-year-old granddaughter. This seriously made my day!
Most recent compliment you gave someone else:
I recently had the pleasure of keynoting a very large conference with a colleague. Like me, she had rehearsed endlessly in her head and worried considerably about her stage presence. She was amazing so I let her know.
Favorite way to treat yourself:
Massage saves me! Fortunately my BFF is an amazing massage therapist.
Favorite quote:
“Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” — Jimmy Buffet
Three words that best describe you:
I couldn’t come up with three so I asked my tribe. I got back a whole lot more than three: Energetic, Adventurous, Purposeful, Dedicated, Spirited, Brave, Friend, Explorer, Loyal, Gregarious, Upbeat, Spunky, Witty, Brave, Caring, True, Inspirational, Strong, Generous, Tenacious and Determined.
What inspires and motivates you?
Seeing others succeed and knowing I helped lift them up or encouraged them in some way.
When did you join Strongest You Coaching? Why did you decide to join and what helped you make the decision to join?
When I looked into Strongest You Coaching, I was exceptionally hesitant because I saw all super fit, lean, or massive body-change stories on Girls Gone Strong. I asked if they were even interested in “someone like me” because my goal isn’t fat loss, nor was I wanting to turn my house into a home gym, and I was afraid this might not fit well with the program. I had a very open, honest conversation about this with Jen, who was amazingly supportive and reassured me that I would get a ton out of the program. She has been such an inspiration, always sharing information that was tailored for me, and made sure my workouts were aligned to my goals.
I found myself enjoying the bodyweight exercises so much that I bought resistance bands, then enjoying those so much that I just picked up a kettlebell, so my mini-gym is growing.
What has been your biggest challenge in the Strongest You Coaching program?
I was feeling like I was ‘failing’ this summer when I found myself avoiding my workouts in favor of being outdoors more. Jen’s great article on taking a seasonal break, and a fabulous group discussion we had on the topic, was exactly the support I needed to get out of that mindset.
What has been your biggest success in the Strongest You Coaching program?
You have to understand where I started to really grasp this. I had lost ridiculous amounts of strength due to a very sedentary job and lifestyle. While I could walk for miles, I couldn’t lift a ream of paper without effort. I couldn’t hold a down-dog in yoga. It was really getting me down. About three months after joining Strongest You Coaching, I went to pick up my granddaughters from daycare, and as I walked in the hall with a squirmy one-year-old on one arm, the four-year-old came barreling down the hall “GRAMMA!” and leapt into my other arm. There was no hesitation. No “Wait! Gramma can’t lift you!” No second thoughts. I just scooped her up and held them both.
These moments of doing what seem like simple things that I just couldn’t do before, are powerful.
I like to run around lifting heavy things now, just to see if I can do it.
What do you like best about the Strongest You Coaching community?
The relentless focus on empowerment of the whole you—not a number.
What is the habit you’re currently working on most?
Veggies at every meal. Breakfast is not a vegetable event for me.
How has Strongest You Coaching changed your life?
See “Biggest Success” question above!
What would you tell a woman who’s nervous about joining Strongest You Coaching?
DO IT! Don’t feel like you need to be a bodybuilder to fit in – this program is for everyone!
With Girls Gone Strong Coaching, you’ll get the support, accountability, and expert coaching to eat and exercise in a sustainable way — without restrictive diets or spending your life in the gym.
Whether your health and fitness goals are to…
... or anything else, we’ll help you achieve them. You can experience life-changing results while eating and exercising in a way that actually fits into your life — instead of controlling it.
Throughout our 12-month program, you’ll get a simple, step-by-step plan for developing nutrition, fitness, and mindset habits that will lead the way in reaching your goal.
Your coach is available 5 days a week to answer questions and help you navigate situations — like eating while you’re on vacation, exercise substitutions so you don’t aggravate your knee pain, or planning a workout with limited equipment options — so you always have support when you need it. And together, you'll find the best path toward long-term results in a way that works for you.
You’ll learn how to:
And you’ll become the happiest, fittest, strongest version of yourself, one step at a time.
Interested in learning more? Join our free, no-obligation pre-sale list.
Twice a year we accept a small number of new coaching clients. Join the free, no-obligation pre-sale list below for the chance to enroll early and save up to 45% off the general public price.
We'll send you more info about the program and give you the chance to enroll early and save up to 45% off the general public price.
The program opens only twice a year. Spots are limited.
