Boundary Moving

At Sherpa, boundary moving means setting a goal; or accomplishing something you didn’t think you could. Want to run your first 5K? We’ll do that…together. Or, maybe something more ambitious like a triathlon? Here are a few clients’ stories sharing how we at Sherpa have worked with them to attain a variety of goals. We hope you can find yourself in one of these stories.

Craig came to Sherpa as a working full-time professional, a father, and a husband, and was finding time to work out to be difficult. He knew that reaching goals when it comes to the body and the mind need assistance. Craig discovered that having the Sherpa training team as both a professional training partner and coach helped him focus and reach his potential. Craig had run three marathons, most recently the New York City ING marathon, and the last 11 miles, the Sherpa team, more specifically, Jean ran with him. He was able to complete the marathon in a record time and never felt better. He is well on his way to another great showing for Boston in the Spring of 2009.

Julia began training with Sherpa in June of 2007, but stepped up her commitment to achieve her aggressive goals in the last several months. Her objectives were simple: to build a healthy and physically fit body, develop excellent cardiovascular capabilities, and present a well-toned, desirable physique for her forties and beyond. Julia visits SherpaFit three times per week. Initially, her hour-long workouts were simple, focusing on core strength and cardiovascular endurance. Progressively, we expanded her routine to include general strength training, with an increased emphasis on cardio. To support her exercise regimen, we developed a healthy eating plan that enabled her to decrease body fat yet maintain and, as appropriate, increased muscle mass. This program has enabled her to consistently achieve the milestones marking the way to her ultimate objective. Moving forward, we will work together to establish new goals so that she always has something to strive for.

When Aryeh came to Sherpa [a few years ago], he was recovering from a serious accident with several broken bones. Once he completed physical therapy for his injuries, he made the decision to see a trainer just to get back to a level where he could train on his own. He was skeptical about the benefits of a personal trainer. He confessed,” I thought trainers were for rich people who couldn’t motivate themselves.” He had already completed an Ironman, lots of shorter triathlons, four marathons, and raced bikes on his own without coaches or trainers.

He went in with the mindset that training with SherpaFit was going to be a temporary situation. However, once Aryeh started feeling stronger and better about himself, he decided to stick with us. We designed workouts to build his core strength, his overall balance, stamina, and general muscle strength. These activities translated directly to his other sports activities and into my daily ‘non-sports’ life. According to Aryeh, ”If someone had told me when I began working with Jean that I could do some of the things I can do now I would have thought they were crazy. It’s funny, but I am still just as self-motivated by setting goals that may appear unrealistic. The physical work I do with Jean and, maybe more importantly, the way he pushes me mentally have allowed me to achieve every one of these goals.”

Before Barbara came to SherpaFit, she hadn’t run for several months and had put on ten pounds of extra winter weight. Running for her was slow and painful and was only able to run two miles at a time. She felt terrible about herself and her athletic abilities. When she came to us at SherpaFit, we immediately set a goal together. Her mission was to run 15 miles a week, through the winter months – rain or shine, ice or snow. The treadmill was used as a last resort. She reached her goal: she made it through the winter without the extra ten pounds and is ready to increase her mileage. This Spring, her is she is starting at 15 miles (not two!) and building up from there!

Ellen and I met two years ago and we connected with each other immediately. Our personalities worked together, allowing us to establish a mutual trust and confidence. We developed a set of rather simple goals together. Her objectives were as simple as losing weight, maintaining a good strong body as she aged into her forties and leading a healthy lifestyle. She has been able to achieve these goals. We are always looking to refine them so that we can strive to achieve new goals.

For years Ellen had, worked out at fitness centers, both on her own and with personal trainers. When she came to us she was beginning to believe she was destined to a pear-shaped middle-aged body. Together we have found ways for her to work harder, to set and strive for more aggressive goals, and to enjoy the experience. She will enthusiastically tell you she is thrilled with the results—a great body that she is proud to call my own. Her confidence has also been boosted by the looks and comments she gets from her friends! “I have never felt better about myself than I do now—and truly would not give up working out with Jean for all the world. “

He has made me stronger in so many ways—it is a new way of living—and I will never turn back to the old way. Jean has taken the time and care to understand how and when I need motivation and encouragement to maximize each exercise we do. He asks questions as we go, and listens for clues to instruct me. His comprehensive guidance is custom-tailored for me and enables me to put forth a complete effort in sculpting the body that I am looking to develop and maintain.