The criteria and standards that we look for when our team puts in their nominations for Prototype of the month are Coachability, Caring, and Community and in our opinion, Julia encompasses all three of those qualities handily. Congratulations Julia!
1.) Share your experience at Prototype
I started at Prototype and the end of August 2021. I needed a new routine and consistency with exercise. I have always been active; I love running and biking and have done sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. But I had lost motivation and was not working out on a consistent basis. I am an early morning person, especially when it comes to exercise, so I decided to try Prototype and the 5 am class. It has been life changing! At first my kids didn’t want me gone in the morning, but now they never complain when I go to the gym because they understand (as I tell them) that it is important for my body and my brain.
2.) What is your favorite part about being at Prototype?
I have a few favorite parts of Prototype. 1. The people – coaches and athletes. The coaches are great about giving feedback and know how to push me just the right amount. 2. The members/athletes, especially the 5 am crew. I have met so many great people through Prototype that has carried over to other parts of my life. 3. The community involvement – the fundraisers (Calling All Crows, the Lift Off last spring that benefited the Jimmy Fund) and the toy drive at Christmas are amazing. It’s so great how many people show up to support causes that are important to Prototype coaches and members. I’ve also benefited personally from the community involvement. I coach my son’s soccer team, but I don’t know a lot about coaching. Tommy and Steve helped me with my team. They invited us to a Fundamentals class, and Tommy ran one of my practices. The team and I learned a lot from him. The coaches also ran a session with my son’s Cub Scout troop which was fun for the boys.
3.) What are your hobbies and activities?
Aside from Prototype and my job, I love to be outdoors with my kids. I love to ski and bike with them. I also coach my son’s soccer team in the fall and spring. And I am obsessed with native plants. I am really concerned about the environment and the decline of pollinators, so I grow native plants for my yard, and also donate plants to pollinator gardens and give plants to others for their yards. I’ll have more in the spring for those who would like some native plants for their yards!
4.) How has Prototype helped you or solved a problem for you?
I joined Prototype because I needed a new routine for working out. That was my primary goal, but it has improved my life in other ways. I have met friends, found awesome babysitters, increased my soccer coaching knowledge, and improved my overall health and mental health.
5.) What are your continuing fitness goals to this point?
I want to maintain my consistency in terms of attending 5 am classes. I’d like to be able to do at least one toes to bar, improve my consistency with double unders, and get stronger with more PRs (without getting injured).
6.) Favorite Quote
The most meaningful change starts locally.
I subscribe to the “think globally, act locally” philosophy and try to do what I can to improve the world around me in small ways.