"Instead of participating in exercise to stay thin or be a certain body fat and weight, I do it because I am a better person with exercise in my life." -Cathryn
On the brink of her 43rd birthday next month, we caught up with IC veteran, Cathryn Schmidt, to ask about her health and fitness, her two boys (ages six and four), and whether she’d be willing to share what her secret is to looking that good… It turns out that “compression pants” and Run DMC & Aerosmith’s “Walk this way” (or any song by Pink) are central to Cathryn’s success in the gym, but nothing comes close to keeping her in top shape like her two [not so] favorite exercises, “a toss up between burpees and mountain climbers.” Here’s more of what Cathryn has to say about exercise and life at the IC since joining back in June 2007.
Maya: Tell us about your athletic background?
Cathryn: I was a tomboy that ran, biked and played football with the neighborhood boys. In elementary school, I participated in gymnastics and track. As a teenager primarily to combat my fear of gaining weight, I embraced the 80’s aerobics movement and was a certified aerobics instructor. Through the years, I have competed in triathlons, ran half marathons and exercised through both pregnancies.
Maya: Why is exercise important to you?
Cathryn: Coming from a family where obesity is prevalent, I have worked hard to keep physical fitness in my schedule so throughout my life exercise has been important to me, but over the years my mindset has progressed. Instead of participating in exercise to stay thin or be a certain body fat and weight, I do it because I am a better person with exercise in my life. I find by working out I am much more focused, calm and happy. If you ever see me during class, I am the one with a huge smile on my face. Yes, it is probably the endorphins kicking in, but it is also pure joy to still have a body that can respond and be strong. For this, I am thankful. The benefit is lower body fat and weight, but it is no longer the focus.
"I find by working out I am much more focused, calm and happy. If you ever see me during class, I am the one with a huge smile on my face." -Cathryn
Maya: You recently shared with us that you have a son with special needs. Can you tell us about some of the challenges you’ve been faced with as a family?
Cathryn: As my older son struggles with school and goes through testing to find out his special needs, I find the process emotionally draining. And as I take time off from a career to concentrate on family, I find my identity rocked. My shyness as a youth returns in these new unfamiliar territories. My head spins as I learn new terminology and phrases like “on the spectrum,†ADD/ADHD, occupational therapy or the latest school terminology IEP and 504 plans. As I continue to try my hardest to ignore half-eyed glances from concerned parents at his school, I find wonderful parents struggling with similar issues. And as I go on this new journey, I know I will return each week to my place of solace, the Ice Chamber.
Maya: Thank you for sharing that with us Cathryn. Speaking of motherhood and everything you’re balancing on a daily basis, what motivates you to stay fit?
Cathryn: Exercise to me is also about community. When you find a unique group of people with a common interest of developing healthy habits, it is easy to stick with a program and something that I learned by experience to cherish. The IC culture you and Steve have created and that is carried through by both the amazing trainers (Jess, Danielle, JoJo and now John) and clients, is a culture of positivity. It encourages each and everyone one to do their absolute best no matter what their current level. As I told you Maya, my hope and wish is that my sons would have this same amazingly positive environment at school.
