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This is our 78th episode of The Community Conversation, and today this month’s prototype of the month, Aniella Neiva and coach Mike are discussing how CrossFit can provide a therapeutic outlet for people.
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Mike Collette
All right everyone. Welcome back to the community conversation hosted by prototype training systems and yours truly, Mike Collette. On this week’s episode. We have longtime prototype member Aniela. She’s been here for over eight years. She’s also one of our community business sponsors super pumped to have her on and I mentioned she’s also our prototype of the month last month, so just super pumped to have her learn a lot more about Aniela and her story and journey here at prototype. So tune in last cecum your episode starts right now.
Mike Collette
All right, everyone. Welcome back to this week’s community conversation super pumped. Today we got Aniela on the community conversation. A lot of you guys know Aniela she gets in gets after that at the gym. She’s actually been a member here at prototype since 2014. I don’t know if you knew that. And yeah, it’s eight years, you’ve been coming to the gym. It’s been a long time and also the prototype of the month. And on top of that, one of our awesome community business sponsors with sparkling clean. So super pumped to have you on the community conversation today.
Aniella Neiva
Thank you. Mike. Yeah, it’s a pleasure. And it’s funny, because I had to go back on Wodify to check. I was like, I wasn’t sure if it was 2015. You know, when I first started, but it’s I was like, yes, that’s, it’s been eight years.
Mike Collette
That’s crazy. Right? Eight years? Yeah. The what? Why don’t we start there? Why don’t you walk us through what your uh….. I think I remember a bit because I’m pretty sure I took you through. Like, I think we called it elements at the time. Like it was like a group class like onboarding. Now we do like one on one and call it virtuosity. But I don’t know if you remember. But why don’t you walk us through kind of like your first like, week or first workout or what your first experience was when you came to prototype eight years ago?
Aniella Neiva
Yeah, it was. It was really interesting. So my husband, Andrew, so he worked for a long time and afterwards. So I at that time, we only have one car . So I keep you know, driving back and forth, you know, drive by the gym, and I look at that I’m like, oh, I should try. But I was always like, you know, I’m not sure if I can do that. You know, because CrossFit wasn’t a thing yet. back then. So, one day, I don’t know, I just decided I call some of my friends to, you know, give us some motivation to go together. So I was like, let’s try this. You know, it looks really cool. I saw all the people running around, you know, outside on the street, I’m like, Oh, that looks really fun. And it was something different because I used to go to a Gold’s Gym. Just to keep, you know, moving and trying to do something. But it wasn’t really fun. I used to go there and you know, not knowing exactly what to do. So I prototype when I first started, like, first week was a little crazy. I couldn’t walk like three days. I definitely
Mike Collette
Do you remember your first workout? Do you remember what it was? What you guys did?
Aniella Neiva
Not sure it was it was a lot.
Mike Collette
I remember you were in it. You guys were in a group. And I remember girls.
Aniella Neiva
Yes,
Mike Collette
That’s right. And I remember like, you guys, were all speaking Portuguese. And I was just like, I don’t really, and you guys know, kept coming back. And I was like, Oh, this is awesome. You guys are like all into it was so cool. Yeah, yeah, we had a group and it was really nice. Because it was something totally different. You know, we were like getting out of our comfort zone, trying to do you know, different things like, pull up, you know, double wonder, you know, we I’ve never done that before. So all you know, the movements that we had to get used to it was it was really different in that it was really excited to you know, have all the people around you were cheering you. So it was it was great.
Awesome. Yeah. The funny getting a comfort zone. It’s like a lot of folks that, you know, come into product day for like the first time. You know, that’s like a kind of a common thing because it’s it’s intimidating, right. Like you said, you were working out at Gold’s Gym. I’m not sure what your routine was. But I don’t know. Were you were you doing group classes there? Were you working out by yourself? Like, what was that?
Aniella Neiva
Well, I did some classes actually with Angie. Long time ago, remember?
Mike Collette
Yes, yes.
Aniella Neiva
Oh, that was awesome. But when I was just doing it, you know, by myself. And so I used to go and help me a little bit because he was better. But I just used to hate the machines. You know, sometimes I would go there just to talk to people. You know, I had some friends then we would like I laughed, and I was like, Oh my God, I didn’t work out not even 10 minutes, so it wasn’t really like it.
Mike Collette
It’s I guess it’s more of a social club and like, yeah,
Aniella Neiva
yeah, you can call that. Yeah.
Mike Collette
That’s one of the cool parts about like, the group classes and the camaraderie and community building is like, it’s like, you know, it’s part you’re working out. You’re when you come in for the class, like you’re gonna work out like we’re not gonna let you come in and just talking and not workout. But yeah, the benefit to being able to kind of build it. Yeah. Yeah, that’s right. I know you’ve been working out for like, in here and doing stuff for a long time. It’s funny, like when we do these to be conversations it’s like it’s almost like a walk down memory memory lane in a sense, but like, what are some of the things you remember like suddenly like your your favorite moments and they’ve done a bunch of art competitions and all those sorts of parties, like what are your like, the memories or things that come to your mind?
Aniella Neiva
Yeah. I have a lot of Memories, but one that really sticks to my mind. It was the first, I think it was an internal competition. And the first one I was like, terrified. And because everything was so new, and I was like, I don’t know, if I was gonna do scale, if I was gonna do an RX, I was all confused, afraid. And then I had my daughter, my little one, she was there. She was really, maybe she was what, six, seven years old. She was really young. And she was right there like cheering me and she’s like, Mom, you do. And I was like, she said, awesome. Like, come on, Mama. She was dancing with him. He was gonna, I was looking at that and just gave me like, motivation to just get it done. And at the end, I was like, so proud of myself because it was so much better than I thought. And I felt awesome after. So that’s, it’s like, every day, I have a great memory there. Because I used to tell people that CrossFit, it’s my therapy, it’s part of my therapy. So it’s on my, it’s on top of my list of priorities. So it’s like, if I’m having a bad day, you know, if I’m down, you know, struggling with something. When I go there, for one hour, we changed the whole, the whole thing, my mood, and I always come out, I usually tell Brian, I was like, Brian, I’m so happy I came here. Because when I leave, it’s like something that I can’t explain. And I know a lot of people feel like that. So it’s awesome. All the you know, the feeling of you belong to something. Everybody’s always so kind, so nice. So that that’s something unusual, weird, especially nowadays with this crazy world. So I it’s like, you know, I’ve been on and off for so many years with like, you know, injuries and my crazy schedule. But it’s always on top of my list, like I have to go back. And I’ve been actually, I think the past month, I’ve been like my goal. It’s like, three, four days a week, and I’ve been getting there. So I’m really happy about it. I feel really good.
Mike Collette
It’s awesome. Yeah, the, you said a lot of cool things want to like you said, CrossFit as part of the your therapy, I feel like, sometimes it’s more like the mental, right, we work out more for our mind than we do for our body. Right, you get the benefit of both, right? And so that’s, it’s so true. I think it’s interesting, like you mentioned, like, folks, you see mentioned this to like, to people to like, I think people that don’t understand it, it’s like, or have done it, or have done the sort of working out or in a community with other people, like you’re all kind of pushing each other, but you’re more so pushing yourself. And it’s like this feeling you mentioned, like the moment with your daughter, like you’re doing this competition, we’re doing something that, you know, is uncomfortable for you that scared you. And then your six year old is like cheering you on, but typically, it’s like the other way, right? It’s like, you’re cheering kids on because they’re like doing activities. And now it’s like the roles are reversed. And it almost like creates like a, you know, is almost like even more relatability which is which is interesting. But to kind of stay on this like this. This idea, like for someone that’s been working out a product for eight years is like you mentioned, like the the fears and like kind of getting out of your comfort zone. What would you say to someone that’s never been crossed before or new that’s like, interested in like trying it or, you know, like maybe like a piece of advice that you would give to like, you know, saying someone just signed up at the gym and you met them for the first time and they’re like, they’re in the same position you’re in the nervous or scared? Like what would be your advice?
Aniella Neiva
I’m sure I can tell it’s gonna be the best experience ever. It’s the feeling when you the environment, you know, it’s so different than just going to a gym. And, you know, everything it’s a whole package, you know, you get a whole package, you know, community, the coaches, the workouts, it’s like, makes you you know, push yourself every single day push you to your limits. Or, you know, like, that’s one thing I’m trying to I’m learning to know my limits because you can you always wants to do more and more because it feels so good. So it’s like I said, where I live, when I sometimes a lot of times when I am there I go there I’m like sad or I have something going on personal life. You know, when I live it’s the feeling it’s like oh my gosh, it’s so good. You can even explain it’s awesome. It’s really good. Yeah, for me, it’s it’s literally more like a mental. Like I’ve been working a lot in my mental health with everything. going on, you know, pandemic. You know, I started my business three years ago. So lots of change lots of challenges. So I need this. It’s like, it’s one thing that I need in my life, you know?
Mike Collette
Awesome. Yeah, the, I want to talk about that, too. So you mentioned that you started your business three years ago. And you guys, like, just do an awesome job. I mean, you we have you guys come in and out the gym and everything that what’s that been like, you know, entrepreneurship, business ownership, like, what’s that like to explain that because some folks are listening to this, like, you know, I don’t know if you know, this, it’s like, like, I ran the stats one time, it’s like 30 to 40% of our members that are like the adults, not the kids, not including them, or like, some level some business owner or entrepreneur or small business owner or whatnot. So yeah, I think people can kind of share those, like those struggles, right? Being like the person in charge of that, like, what’s that experience been like, over the last like, three years,
Aniella Neiva
it’s been a challenge, especially, you know, like, everything’s really new for me. And starting this journey, it’s really, it gets, you know, ups and downs, but it’s been awesome. I’ve been learning a lot. And it’s like, each day, I feel more passionate, in what we do, when especially in our industry, it’s not easy, you know, but I feel like after the after COVID, things changed a lot. Protocols, a lot of things we put in order. And right now, it’s like, we have a team of almost 20 people. So I feel really blessed. And really grateful, because we have like a great team with us. And I little by little, I’m learning to delegate, you know, because, you know, as a business owner, you always think nobody’s gonna do you know, what do you do better than you, but I’ve changed the, you know, it’s like changing the mindset. So I’m working a lot, you know, I have a memory, you know, so I’ve been doing a lot of conferences, you know, with people, like leaders in the industry. So I’ve been learning a lot. And it’s one thing that I really, like, it’s a, it became a passion, you know, so I’m really grateful for that what we’re doing, and we are changing so many people’s lives, you know, people that work with us and clients. So it’s, it’s a lot involved, it’s really a lot. So and we are I’m also really proud we partnered up with this great organization, it calls a cleaning for reason, we give free cleaning for cancer patients. So if you guys know anybody, so it’s like, totally free. I’ll have my team there. We do like a free cleaning, it’s to actually cleanings two months, period, so you just have to go online, you can can search those up on the website, it’s all the information, it’s all in there.
Mike Collette
What’s the what’s the website? Aniela? Can you let everyone know, my need for reason, Cleaning for a Reason? Do you go they go to that website, or they go to your website,
Aniella Neiva
they go to their website, and they’re gonna find like a local in the area. And I’m pretty sure there’s other companies cleaning companies in the area to but we do that and it’s like something that it changed. You know, when I go to somebody’s house, you know, they saw limited, you know, with the disease and they can’t do much. So it feels like, from the bottom of my heart and all my cleaners. It’s like something that we do is so proud to be helping people. You know, like we all I’m sure everybody has a family member or friend that went through, you know, the whole process. So it feels really good. So giving back to the community and you know, it feels really awesome.
Mike Collette
That’s so cool. I did not know you guys are doing that doing that. So cleaning for a reason.com go to local and yeah, anyone that’s, that’s listening. So you guys do two cleanings over a two month period. And that’s such a cool thing to get back. I did not know that. So that is so awesome. You guys are doing that. And I mean 20 People you have on your team, I did not know that your team is like it’s exploded. Oh my goodness, that is so great. I’m so happy for you.
Aniella Neiva
I just hired my office manager. So little by little things are getting back on track. You know, I am having more time to do my things because before we just me and Anderson we were trying to do everything came to a point where like, you know what, we can do this anymore? Working 24/7 It was crazy.
Mike Collette
Totally, I can totally understand. I can totally understand that when you’re that when you’re the owner when you’re the boss you you wear every hat and you might do that. To be able to in just three years to be able to get to a place where you feel a little bit more balanced. It’s pretty impressive. So that’s awesome. That’s hats off to you. That’s awesome. Um Okay, so So I want to just move the conversation back into like the fitness side of things. Like, you’re, you’ve been here for eight years. I know you have like goals and things you’re working on, I think you mentioned something kind of like knowing your limits like, and that sort of thing. What are your goals right now? What are the things that you’re kind of like pushing yourself towards? I know, you mentioned consistency, like working out three to four times a week? What are the what are the what are the things you’re working towards?
Aniella Neiva
Right now, my number one goal is being consistent. You know, because I’ve been put, I was putting off for a long time, you know, because work, you know, family, all that. But that’s my number one goal. And so far, like I said, it’s been great. So that’s my main thing, and just try to get stronger. I had a lot of injuries in the past, you know, because not only because of CrossFit, but I mean, my work was 100% physical, so I was working like 10 hours a day, running to CrossFit, you know, to get my workout done. So I got a lot of injuries. So not too long ago, I was doing chiropractor PT, so I was trying to get better. And now actually, it’s I’ve been feeling great. Like the other day, I did some pull ups because I couldn’t hang from a bar for like over a year that was really, really frustrated. But it’s the last month it’s been like, so every little step like a little pull up that I could do it hanging from the back, it just felt really nice. So I’m just respecting my body. And little by little
Mike Collette
it’s awesome. I mean, like 10 hour days, physical labor, and then busting your butt in the gym. You don’t you don’t go easy, go hard. So I can see that taking a toll. But that’s I love that I love the goal of consistency, because you always say consistency beats intensity over time. So you know, just being able to listen your body, stick with it, like getting those three to four workouts, but also, like, what you’re doing too is like you’re managing your time to be able to prioritize fitting in, which probably helps from a productivity standpoint, from just like, you know, we talked about the mental component to it, as well. So all that stuff kind of ties into that’s so cool. I got another question of kind of flip flopping here go back until like the business stuff. You know, so John, my brother, like we work together. And it’s always hard working with family. It all started out there you can you can decide to answer this or not. But is it? Is it been a challenge? Or maybe it’s been easy? Like i What is it like working with husband or wife?
Aniella Neiva
Right now it’s super easy, because we I have my role, and he has his role in the business. The first year was like nightmare. You know, I was like working together the whole time. So, you know, when you’re working like 1012 hours a day you go home, you know, same thing over and over the beginning of where we were like, Oh my gosh, I don’t want to see you. You know, but now you know that we had a goal, you know, at some point because we do residential and we do commercial. So we had, our goal is, you know, little by little we were going to shift he was going to be in the commercial and I was going to be in the residential. So now, like, about a year ago, we were able to do that. So it’s the residential completely and he’s on the operational side of commercial. So it’s doing his thing and more in the office right now managing everything. So we don’t work together anymore. Like we used to, but it’s not easy. And I also have my dad working with me. I have my brother.
Mike Collette
Oh, you got a whole family. The whole family. I did not know that.
Aniella Neiva
Yeah. Yes. Oh, I got
Mike Collette
your like, you’re all in on the panel. Everyone. Wow. That’s, that’s impressive. That is impressive. That’s cool to be able to do that. I was more curious. Like, because I can only imagine like, you know, working and then going like you mentioned like, there’s like the work how do you shut it off? Like the work and then they go home and then it’s like well, hats off to you. I think that’s super that’s super impressive. super impressive. Yeah, well, more to you. You got the whole family and so I’m gonna I’m gonna keep the compliment your your your year end. But I want to I want to get into our, our Spitfire round here to truth and a lie. So I gave you the prep time in the beginning here. So this is like basically stump stump the coach. I’ll give you my record. I think I’m like two and seven maybe since like, starting to put this in, which is not good, which is not good. I’ve only got a right No, that’s not very good. I will say I suck at this game. So hopefully, you know, but my goal is to win. So I’m going to try to figure this out. So Game two truths and a lie you say three statements True or true? one’s false. I gotta guess what the one that is false. So anyway, you got some prep times and maybe you thought through them so give me a give me the. Give me what you got.
Aniella Neiva
All right. I am 38 years old. Okay I have three kids
Mike Collette
okay
Aniella Neiva
and that’s easy. I was born in Brazil.
Mike Collette
Alright, so this is like a process of elimination. I mean, the born in Brazil, three kids 38 years old
Don’t look 38 I felt like that was the first one. So I don’t think you’re in a lie on the first one. I know you have two kids. And now you have two kids. I mean, three kids. And born in Brazil. I feel like you were born and I have to say it’s three kids. You have two kids. Three kids. Is that? Is that the lie? Oh, yeah. You got it? Yes. All right. This is like, I got that easily. So I know how
Aniella Neiva
old you are. Because a lot of people don’t know if I have.
Mike Collette
I know it. You’ve been here for eight years. I knew this shit. Alright, here we go. So the I was it was between the three because I was like, because you used to bring your two daughters in quite a bit. I know. So So how old are your daughters now?
Aniella Neiva
Julia is 90 in Melanie’s 11
Mike Collette
Oh my goodness. I remember. So I remember Julia when she was like, like, I don’t know. Maybe 13. Like she was like just a little kid coming in.
Aniella Neiva
They’ve worked out for a little bit now. Yeah. And that college for her sophomore year.
Mike Collette
That’s awesome. That’s so great. And then I remember your little one was just like a peanut. Like, she was like, she was like three. She was like four years old. Like, oh, my goodness. So. Wow. Yeah. So I knew that I was like, I don’t think I met third. Okay, so we got that. We’re in Brazil. didn’t have enough time to think about. I gave you time to begin as I was. So we’re in Brazil. Were you born? And when did you come come to the US?
Aniella Neiva
Yeah, so I was born and raised in Brazil, miniaturize Governador Valadares. It’s like Central. And I came here before, like two weeks before I turned 21. Got it. So it’s been 17 years. I came here with my husband and a son and my daughter twins. She was 18 months old.
Mike Collette
Now and you came to and you were to Westboro. Are you in? Did you
Aniella Neiva
actually Framingham? The first first year and then we move to Westport? So we’ve been here for a long time. That’s awesome. Yeah, they grew up here.
Mike Collette
I don’t know. No, that’s awesome. Loving. Coming up on that 20 year anniversary. Let’s go. That’s awesome. Very cool. Well, no, this is so great. I got to know you even more than I’ve already known you for eight years. But I feel like everyone that’s listening to this got to know you a little bit more to and we got to know about your business. You’re so great. You guys can check them out sparkling clean.com
Aniella Neiva
It’s actually sparkling calm.com,
Mike Collette
sparkling comp.com You can check them out if you’re interested in any cleaning services, residential or commercial. Have you heard any other talking about that or also you can go and check out the cleaning for a reason.com. And if you if you have anyone close to you that suffering that, you know, feel to give back to them. It’s just an awesome cool thing that they’re doing. But for all you folks that are listening right now appreciate you tuning in. You guys can check out these episodes every week on Spotify or Apple podcast or our YouTube channel. He’s come out every Monday with another cool, awesome member Aniela again, thank you so much for coming on today. Really appreciate it.
Aniella Neiva
Pleasure. Thank you. Got it.