Jessica

I have battled with my weight for as long as I can remember. As an adolescent I felt as though I was ridiculed for my body shape and size. High school was an especially trying time, as I was always considered the “chubby, ugly, fat friend.” My distorted perceptions about myself followed me to college. I thought I needed to be perfect, which to me, meant skinny.

It was a downward spiral from there. I began working out for over three hours a day, and eating less than 500 calories. My weight plummeted, and college became unbearable. My sophomore year, I remember calling my parents to tell them I think I have a problem. It was then we made the decision that I needed professional help; I didn’t love myself, and thought the only way I could is if I continued to lose weight. In May of 2008, weighing under 80 pounds, I was admitted to the for the hospital for treatment of an eating disorder.

Treatment was hard, and the transition after was even more problematic. I still did not understand the healthy way to eat and exercise. I was still engaging in behaviors that I did not deem maladaptive, because it was the only way I had known how to live for so long. In 2012, I made the decision to fully surrender to my disorder. I began gaining weight, and still did not understand how to nourish my body in a healthy manner. It was then that my thoughts about my body image became even more skewed.Â

That all changed in 2013 when I met Christian. I remember the first time I met him, I thought to myself, ‘ This guy is not going to be able to help me, no one can.’ He proved me wrong. He gave me the courage to not give up. I began training with Christian two times per week. He taught me what it meant to persevere through life after an eating disorder, and what it meant to be dedicated to lifelong wellness. Christian helped me succeed and kept me focused on my goals. He built my confidence to believe in myself and my transformation. Now, I work out with Christian three to four times a week for a 50-minute workout, and rely on him for nutrition support.Â

From cross-training to cardio kick-boxing, workouts are never boring. The class sizes are small enough that group training is always personal. The training studio is intimate, and creates a family-like atmosphere. His passion and knowledge shine through every aspect of his work. He is able to explain workouts in a way that is understandable, and his professional etiquette is unsurpassed.

I am beyond grateful for the loyalty Christian showed. My health, strength, energy and, most importantly, my confidence increased. Recovery from an eating disorder is not easy, but Christian provided me with the will power to continue moving forward during the toughest times. Now, I rarely relive my past, and am focused solely on the future, and loving myself every second thanks to Christian.Â