Sara is acclimating to the demands of motherhood (x2) like a true champ! Luci & Gavin are adorable beyond words — they’re strong and healthy just like their mama. Sara did a tremendous job incubating her little ones for nearly ten months while teaching every one of her IC classes up until just last week. “I would go crazy if I was just sitting at home waiting for them to arrive,” she often said.  Was anyone surprised by her superhuman stamina?  It was awesome to witness.

Sara with Luci and Gavin (in yellow)

Although we already miss Sara’s wonderful guidance in class, we are excited about this next chapter in her life.  Speaking of which, are there any special tips or words of wisdom that you think Sara Bear would benefit from as she navigates through this first week of parenthood?  Do share!

Luci and Gavin, two perfect peas in a pod

Box Jumps

Jessica Parker making full use of a simple box platform.

Push-ups

Sam and Frieda

“Just sending my thanks. Only a strong fitness foundation can allow for this kind of mother/daughter team work!”

Best,
Sam

Congratulations to all of the IC participants. Here are some of your highlights:

Chris, Julie B, Selby, and Sarah Mac!

“A Marine pushed Selby and I off the “Walk the Plank” because we were clearly never going to jump on our own.”
-Sarah Mac

Jim and Matt feeling thankful to be fit

Jen and Mike climbing the mountain

“Running up the quarter-pipe my first try and all of the awesome IC team members decked out in red and yellow at the start line all juiced up and ready to conquer the mountain.”
- Mike Lee

Mike, Carrie, Chris, Gretchen, JD, Brittany, and Patty starting strong

“Many wonderful memories but the best part was seeing everyone help each other out through the difficult obstacles- I stood at the wall (8 feet?) wondering how I would ever get up and over it. Through the sea of people at the top of the wall I saw a group of red IC tough mudder t shirts (sherry and doug and jill…and others who I was too delirious to recall) and I felt instantly relieved.  I knew I would make it up and over with Chris B and Greg and Brooks (and others-again was too cold to recall) at the bottom and the other IC people at the top.”
- Gretchen Davidson

Doug, Jill, Dan, Tsan, Jess P., Tracy, and Melissa F., having pre-race fun

“Climbing out of the Chernobyl Jacuzzi and causing a massive riot with my fellow frostbitten IC mates.”
-Melissa Fernandez

Post-race fun: Dona, Beth, and Polly showing us the way to finish strong

“We had a blast and have the bruises, scratches, aches and pains and that awesome orange head band to prove it! We couldn’t have done it without the Ice Chamber…that’s for sure!”
-Polly Hancock

Lovebirds Melissa and Prestor stuck together through the 13 mile climb!

“Feeling, at mile seven, completely fresh and unfazed; not knowing that two miles later that would all change.”
- Melissa Seka-Wilson

JD and Brittany representing the IC in full force!

Love

“Facing my fears and supporting my friends in doing the same.”
- Jeremy Steinkoler

The Mecklers looking like rockstars!

Big thanks to ICTM Chief Administrator, Sherry Sarintra

IC Teamwork

John and Seth standing proud. Big thanks to John for reserving the beautiful location for the after party at the beach!

“I have a renewed or perhaps reaffirmed appreciation for the Ice Chamber and the community that’s formed around it. This was a great event for people who enjoy working out and working with others and that certainly applies to folks who do boot-camp. It’s also great to see people outside of the normal gym since it deepens those connections. I wouldn’t have done this event if it wasn’t for the IC.”
-Seth Kaplan

OGs from the 0700 Crew

IC'ers taking care of each other

“The free Dos Equis at the finish line.”
-Nate Torra

Ken, Tracy, Jen, Melissa, Tsan, Greg, Cathryn, and Jeremy sharing a moment of greatness together!

“Watching a dude with a prosthetic leg clamber up the Berlin Wall – one bad mudder.”
-Ken Kokka

Amy and Nicole showing off their heart and lung capacity

“Giving my son–and biggest fan–high 5′s at 4 of the obstacles. Yes, he walked and watched the course.”
-Amy Suits

IC after party hosts, Doug and Jill, finishing like champs. Huge thanks to The Beat-nicks!

Ross and Loredie made sure no one was left behind!

“I’ve always wondered what it was like to experience hypothermia. Now, I know.”
-Loredie Lugos

Jen working hard to straighten her knees while extending her ankles and hips; not an easy task under a heavy kettlebell

Matt and Jen C. are two of the IC’s most well-rounded athletes. From Boot Camp to Battle Zone and Kettlebells to Powerlifting, these two know how to take their Family Flex membership to the next level! In addition to working together professionally, they’re also the proud parents of two active young boys. How do Jen and Matt do it all?

Matt working just as hard to extend his ankles, knees, and hips without bending his elbows; not an easy task when attempting to then land underneath a loaded barbell

Team Name: The Power Cords

Claim to Fame: Jennifer is a Candidate for Master of Sport in kettlebell lifting and coffee drinking. She is currently training with a stainless steel mug and a 24kg (53 lb.) kettlebell in preparation for the WKC’s World Championship in October.  Matt played baseball for UC Davis, but is most famous these days for powerlifting. He recently deadlifted 435lbs. in a red leotard singlet.  Despite these notable achievements, they are perhaps most famous for their high level referee skills during bouts between their two boys in the IC parking lot.

Potential Team Strength:  In addition to triple lattes, the power of training the triple extension with either a kettlebell or barbell to enhance human performance should never be underestimated.  As competitive lifters, they have both had practice slaying their own inner dragons and facing unforeseen opponents.

Potential Team Weakness: Will the pentathlon prove to be too much togetherness for Matt and Jen?

Tracy in the lead

Never ones to back down from a challenge, Wendy and Tracy are two of the gutsiest women at the IC.  They are the only all-girl team in the Pentathlon thus far!  Needless to say, nothing scares these two fit moms.

Wendy's turn

Team Name: Ladies First

Claim to Fame: They each lost over 25 pounds of body fat since first starting at the IC several years ago.  In the time they’ve spent training their butts off, they have only continued to enhance their athletic performances and competitive spirits, making them true femmes of fitness.  In addition to legs of steel, they have arms even Michelle Obama would die for.

Potential Team Strength: They are devotees of the Battle Zone cult.  They are not just Mudders, they’re Tough Muthas too.

Potential Team Weakness:  They may be secretly looking forward to the IC after-party more than the pentathlon.

The Spragues (a.k.a. Beat-Nicks) find a way to earn 4 points on the BZ Leader Board!

Despite Sayaka's legacy of world domination, she knows when to let Nate take the lead

Sayaka and Nate rarely get the opportunity to put their competitive spirits to the test these days as members of the super-supportive 7 am IC Boot Camp crew, but they know their background in Judo will give them a fighting chance at pentathlon victory…

Team Name: Judo Junkies

Claim to Fame:  Sayaka won the 2004 Olypmic Trials.   She did it again in 2008 which enabled her to compete in the Olympic Games.  The same year, Nate won his second Senior National title and placed third at the US Olympic Trials. 

Potential Team Strength: History of reducing their opponents to tears.  Bottom line: 3rd + 4th degree black belts = strong odds.

Potential Team Weakness: They left their ultra-competitive days behind in exchange for the morning mix of fun at 7 am.  Will they be hungry enough to win again?

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Kerrie and Fannie working together to finish their burpees

1. Keeps everyone accountable, especially when the instructor isn’t looking

2. Motivates each person to reach their personal best; even if we’re not competitive by nature, we try to match or surpass the performance of our partners because it is a joint effort

3. Builds genuine camaraderie and community

Can you come up with more reasons to partner?