Consistent Improvement Over the Years
Congratulations to Damascus Hopes, the September 2024 BSC Athlete of the Month!
Where were you in your fitness journey before BSC and where are you now?
Before I started my fitness journey at BSC I was very overweight and out of shape. Well, I had a shape, and it was round. Over the past five and a half years at BSC I have dropped 50+ pounds and have built a lot of lean muscle mass. I've also changed the way I eat and the frequency.
What were your goals when you started, and have you achieved any of them?
My primary goal when I started was to be able to move in a functional way, and to build strength. A lot of strength. Over time my goals have shifted a bit to being healthier overall, losing body fat and to build a better cardio base. I have certainly achieved all of my goals, and I've had to adjust them as I reached them. My lifting goals were very basic. I wanted to be able to deadlift 500lbs (still working towards this goal. I've been at 455 for a while), Back squat 315lbs (far surpassed that goal, as my pr is 405lbs), clean and jerk 275lbs (making progress finally with a 245lb clean and jerk), snatch 225 (making progress with this just need to test my 1 rep max again. Currently at 175lbs). I also wanted to be able to run a mile non-stop at some point and I can do that now. My front squat I wanted to reach 315lbs and I have surpassed that with a 325 front squat. Pressing overhead has always been a challenge since this journey began. It just never felt stable. But I've worked on that movement over the past several years and my strict press is at 175lbs, push press is at 225, and my split jerk is at 245. I think these movements I'm the most proud of as it took a very long time to move the needle on them.
What about BSC makes you keep coming back?
I enjoy doing the daily work. The coaches are great. I work a lot with Coach Derick, Mike, Emme. The encouragement to get better and to not fear your own greatness are common themes in every work out. I've noticed a lot of small changes with my form and technique and I get excited at seeing how it translates with heavier lifts.
When/what was your "ah ha!" moment?
The biggest "a ha" moment for me was understanding that through consistency I could reach all of my goals.
Does anyone at the gym (member or trainer) inspire you and why?
There are several people that have inspired me along my fitness journey. Eric Oleson comes to mind. He pushed me for years to work a little bit harder each workout. Curran, Richie, Kelsey (with baby), Brandon, Natalie, Dan, Doug, Kelly, Emme, Mikey, Rachel, Riley, Ariel, Jiwon, Sean have all helped me to stay focused and to keep pushing myself. I'm old but I still do really cool shit daily with this group of people.