Karen Stacy 03/27

When I found out that I was to be a Spotlight Bootcamper, I was shocked.  I thought no, this can’t be right.  I know what an honor it is and thought I haven’t done anything special to deserve this.  I feel very blessed, thankful and honored to know that someone thinks I do deserve it.

My bootcamp journey began when I saw a picture of my sweet friend Sandi Schneider crossing the finish line at the Rock and Roll Marathon.  I hadn’t seen her in a while and she looked absolutely amazing!!  I wanted whatever she was doing to look that great.  It took me a little while before I made it in the door, but finally showed up at Spect ES where Channel was coaching.  I knew I was in trouble when after the wod I could barely walk to my car.  I was fortunate enough that I had quit my job, for a short time, to be a stay at home mom to my teenage daughter.  That enabled me to make the morning classes.  In the first month I lost 6 inches.  I stayed active for a while, but then “something” came up and I stopped going for awhile, then I’d go back and stop and go back.  If you wod’ed with me in the beginning you probably remember that I was pretty verbal about how I didn’t like some exercise we were doing or how it hurt or how I couldn’t finish.  Back then I didn’t realize how my negative words affected others.  I just thought I was bitching… no biggie, right.  To those that heard me, I apologize for my words.  Well, I found out last summer when I was training for the Spa Girl Tri in Lost Maples that my “complaining” did affect others.  It affected my friends I was training with, but didn’t find out until one had complained to my husband.  WOW.  That was a serious wake up call.  When I came back to bootcamp this past fall, I made a promise to myself and other bootcampers that I was not allowed to complain, whine, or bitch.  I’ve slipped a few times, but for the most part, instead of crying I will push myself thru.  Hmm, funny how you start to get better, stronger and happier at bootcamp.  That’s where I am today, trying to get better, stronger and happier.  Unfortunately, in my “times off” from bootcamp I put on weight plus some.  This time it’s harder to lose the weight, but I’m not giving up.  I know it’s a journey.

Now for the sappy part.  This is something that I’ve never publically shared.  God is perfect; and his timing is great, and I am truly blessed.  He put me in front of Channel multiple times that she was sharing her testimony.  It took me having to hear it multiple times like being hit with a baseball bat, but finally it got me started looking at my life and my drinking.  I knew at times I drank too much, but there were also days that I didn’t drink at all.  I talked to her about it and she put me with a friend who took me to an AA meeting.  Well, after that meeting I knew for sure that I wasn’t an alcoholic.  I just drank too much, sometimes.  I would ask my husband if he thought I was an alcoholic and he’s say, “you just have a drinking problem”  (HaHa)  Well, as the disease does, it progressed.  I was at the point that I’ve got my family angry with me and my friends telling me stories that I didn’t remember.  Soon, so my husband wouldn’t complain about my drinking, it was just wine anyways, I would pick up those little four packs and drink a few on my way home from work.  That’s when I knew I had to seek help.  On February 19, 2013,13 months ago, I took my last drink.  It’s been a hard, but amazing journey, one that I owe to Channel.  She truly saved my life!!

This aMAZEn Bootcamp is so much more that just a place to workout.  It’s a place that will forever change your life.  Thank you Channel, the awesome coaches and the bootcamp family.  I love you more than you know!!



Have a blessed day!



Karen Stacy