"The feeling after a good work out keeps me coming back… I'm in the ‘rebuilding’ phase after missing almost a year of these good classes, but it feels good to be back, and I'm hoping to return to my best, pre-Covid self!"
I grew up in Farmington; attending elementary, junior high (where I met my husband, Steve!) and high school within the Farmington Public School (FPS) system. My roots with Farmington run deep—I was also an elementary school teacher in FPS from 1989-1998. Since 2011, I’ve volunteered on the crisis line for Common Ground's, a non-profit organization founded in Oakland County that provides support and resources to those in need.
In 2010, I joined Mid American after hearing many good things about the studio from friends in the area, and I’m so glad that I did! The instructors are super motivating and just great people—everyone here is so friendly and accommodating, and there’s always something new and fun to try.
Through most of 2020, I took a break from the studio. I wasn’t feeling the virtual-style classes—they made me miss everyone even more! When lockdown first began, I started a project that became a nice, creative outlet. The “Badges of the Day” that I posted on my social pages was a way for me to express my feelings and stay connected to my community. The comments I’ve gotten feel like a support group some days! I love drawing and painting and haven’t really taken time to do that these past 20+ years. It’s a beautiful silver-lining outcome of the pandemic for me and I plan to keep creating the badges for as long as I can. 
I’m really happy to be back in my exercise groove! My time away made it even more clear how important physical fitness, and Mid American, has been to me over the many years. I heard a quote a while back that really hits home: “Food is the most widely abused anti-anxiety drug and exercise is the most potent, but underutilized, anti-depressant.” Working out helps me manage my stress and anxiety a great deal. Seeing everyone again, reconnecting—it’s lifted me out of a pretty big funk.
Throughout the years, I’ve made really good friends at Mid American which has been the icing on the cake. I’m really thankful for that! It’s another, pretty important, part of what keeps me coming to classes, too. Knowing that I'll see friends and get a sweat in to start my day? Very motivating indeed!
2020 has definitely took a toll on all of us emotionally and physically. Returning to workout at Mid American feels so wonderful! I feel stronger and more confident. And I love the after-workout conversations that we have in the lobby. They’re fun, enriching and entertaining all at once. I’m so happy that the studio is open and classes are back!
