PHOTOS

SUCCESS STORIES

The word "Success" means something different to every person.  For some people, success means losing inches or body fat or running a mile without stopping for the first time in their life... while others measure their success by finally being happy, finally being able to sleep at night and finally enjoying exercise!

Here are just a few of the many Troopers whose lives have been changed by The Fitness Edge Boot Camp Mind and Body Training Program :

Check out why this 49'r feels like a "spring chicken!"

Bootcamp is the best thing I have done for myself EVER!!! It has changed my life in the way I think and feel about myself.... It has proved that age does not matter (I am 49) and I know I can outrun/outlast/outplay alot of the younger babes and that feels awesome... I know it isn't a contest; its more about attitude and commitment... The added bonus to all of this are the friends (family) that has been created out of this.... It is so amazing and we are all blessed by this... Do you know that in the last year we have had (1) marriage, (3) pregnancies, (1) adoption (1) new engagement, (1) a death in the family (1) Mud Run (for me, at least) and Countless hours of hard work and laughter... Thank you, Cheryl and Caroline! 

FROM TROOPER GORMAN

See what this Trooper has to say about her outlook on life and being able to wear her favorite jeans:

Commander!  I had to share!! I got home this morning and after my shower, I was able to comfortably put on a pair of jeans I haven't fit into in over a year! This may seem small, but it is little things like this that keep me motivated. I have never been so fired up about anything...! I want to take this opportunity to thank you for having this vision, creating this Boot Camp and following through on your dreams so that others like me can realize their full potential in every aspect of life. It is absolutely amazing how good you can feel when you get your body and mind on the right track. My self esteem is growing by the day. I am happier, healthier and more positive than I have ever been in my life. All I want to do is keep going! You are a born leader, motivator and a true inspiration. When you lay your head down at night, feel good knowing YOU ARE CHANGING LIVES!!! Thank you again and have a wonderful holiday! HOOYAH!

FROM TROOPER GHEEN

This Trooper wanted to join boot camp so bad, her father in-law drove 25 minutes to her house three nights a week to stay with her two young babies so both she and her husband could workout at boot camp at 5:30am three days a week.  Here’s what she has to say about her boot camp experience:

Everything about me is different now! My outlook on mind, body and fitness is the biggest change. I always thought it was about losing weight. It's so much more. It's about being consistent in everything you do, food, attitude, fitness, goals, etc. I never believed I could wake up at 4:30 to go work out. I never thought I'd actually like working out as much as I do. If you had told me a year ago I'd be doing 100 push-ups, I wouldn't have believed it.

It has now been 1 year and I can't believe it. It has changed my life for the better. Boot camp is fun and different and never boring. I love that everyday is a different work out. The instructors are wonderful and motivating!

I had doubts at first about working out outdoors.  Today, a year later, I can't even imagine working out at a gym (how boring). I can't think of anything better than looking up at the stars as I do my final sit up or watching the sun rise as I run thru the grass. It's great!

Boot camp is so much more than getting in shape, it will change your life for the better-how can it not? When you feel good about yourself, EVERYTHING is better!

FROM TROOPER BUSTAMANTE

Listen to what this Trooper has to say about her improvement in sleep, anxiety and mood swings:

This may sound silly but the most important change is that I now can sleep.   Prior to Boot Camp I was suffering from “peri-menopause insomnia” where I could only get a couple hours of sleep at night, none of which was restful.   Also, along with a precious good night sleep, I’ve found other peri-menopause symptoms such as sudden mood swings, leg cramps and unexplained anxiousness have almost vanished.  

Exercise used to be a scary thing for me and that’s why I really appreciate that Boot Camp instructors are constantly showing us how to do each exercise correctly to avoid injury.  I also feel more confident that I can do things I never thought I could, e.g., a pushup!

I would like to add that, I really appreciate the support and encouragement I receive from everyone on the workouts when the Recruits are intermixed with “old timers”.   Most social circles treat newcomers as interlopers but this is not so at Boot Camp.   It’s so nice to hear someone tell you that they struggled in the beginning and things will get easier.    I have never heard a discouraging word even when I miss a basket or kick the ball in the wrong direction. 

Boot Camp is a life preserver in a sea of weight loss and exercise infomercials, misleading print ads, fast talking gym employees and other various “snake oil” salespeople! 

FROM TROOPER GOODWIN

Listen to what this 3 year Boot Camp Veteran has to say about overcoming a congenital heart defect, plus a serious car accident: 

My biggest improvement is that my heart is stronger. As a heart patient born with a congenital defect, I cold not participate in sports teams until I was 15.Today at age 51, I can run 3 miles without stopping, do 150 pushups and all other upper body exercises. My cardiologist is envious! 

Following a car accident (2000) I had a serious concussion which took away my ability to multi-task. At Boot Camp I am correcting weaknesses in my physical body and I've regained my mental focus for any specific activity. I no longer get irritable when someone interrupts me. Even my 73 year old parents have noticed the difference.  I sleep through the night and am full of energy. 

Boot Camp is a challenging exercise program that forces you to be realistic about what you eat, what you think about and how you will look in the future. The Boot Camp Pledge of Allegiance is particularly pointed: "...that I will not become a statistic of clogged arteries and obesity..." 

FROM TROOPER CARMONA-MORSHEAD

This Trooper loves the positive atmosphere:  

I want you to know that I really appreciate the support you've given me. I've been incredibly impressed with the level of enthusiasm and encouragement from you, and everyone in the 'family', and I'm having a great time at the boot camp! It's very rare these days to find an organization like yours, that is doing such wonderful, positive things in peoples' lives, and I'm honored to be a participant.  

By the way, this morning I found I could do up my belt an extra notch....about an inch....just wanted to share! : )  Have a great weekend.......

 FROM TROOPER HOCKING

(From the Commander - Recruit Hocking went on to be the first recruit to get inducted into to the 6.5 mile Fitness Edge Towsley Canyon Hall of Fame - with a time of 1:04!  He also just re-enlisted for a year!)

More Testimonials From Our Troopers

FROM: TROOPERS SWIONTEK & OLSON
My wife and I joined boot camp and it's easily the best thing either of us has done for ourselves in years.  Starting out, we had the same hesitancy and self doubts that keep so many just short of starting a dedicated fitness program.  Can we afford it?  Do we have committment?   Can we find the time?  As you participate in the program it becomes clear; the value for dollar is extraordinary and you do have the committment.  You also come to see that when someone says they 'don't have the time" they are really saying "I would rather do something else."  For example, I would rather sleep in/drink beer and eat pizza/watch tv.  Just four weeks into our twelve week program, and seeing meaningful results, my wife and I have already made the desision to re-enlist for a year.

FROM: TROOPER KUBE
Today was fantastic.  I never felt so encouraged by anyone before.  Thanks for being such a positive influence in my training, and for teaching me all that you know... working out with someone who is on your side and genlty pushes you to keep going is so encouraging.  The boxing workout was so invigorating!  I was so tired when I got home, but I felt SOOO good that I did something today that is healthy for me.  Thanks again, you are the best!

FROM: TROOPER BOUNGORNIO
Thank you again for providing me with such a great, new lease on life.  Your program was so challenging and rewarding for me, and came at a time in my life when I really needed it.  And your enthusiasm was inspirational and simple infectious!  I wish you all the best for a successful continuaiton of your program, as you touch more and more people throughout the valley.  I will always speak very highly of you, and the instructors and hope that I can motivate some friends to come and join in on the fun.  I look forward to seeing you Monday.

FROM: TROOPER MAYER
Last nights Boot Camp was AWESOME! Thank you (and Asmus and Hatley) ever so much for pushing me and making me sweat!  It felt GREAT!  I loved having the nutritional info DURING the workout (and not dropping my heart rate).  All around, it was the BEST EVER!  Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it and how motivated I was when I got home to NOT reach for stuff I shouldn't.  Thanks again - see you Thursday!

from

FROM: TROOPER HASKINS
I just want to tell you again what an inspiration you have been to me and the life long changes I have made because of boot camp.  As I was driving to work I thought of so many things that I wanted to tell you but literally it would be a chapter in a book.  Soooo if you ever write a book I have a chapter for you.  : ) : )  Thank you so much for your dedication and your passion for what you do.  You are an inspiration to all and I really appreciate you as being a strong female role model in the universe.  : ) : )

FROM: TROOPER ASMUS
I'm loving boot camp!  So much, in fact that I have re-enlisted for 12 weeks.  It's all I talk about - with a huge smile on my face.  I've already lost 5lbs in the first week - and I think I'm beginning to actually see what resembles  waist.  My clothes already fit better.  I am looking forward to them not fitting at all in the future.  You see, it doesn't matter at my age - it's my mental attitude (or as you tell us "mental focus") that counts.    The physical changes in my body are wonderful.  And, the really great difference is in my increased energy level and my positive mental attitude.  I was so stressed before.  I felt awful.  I feel calmer and so much more in control thanks to those cute little endorphins working!  You ask us to think about goals.  One of my long term goals is to be an instructor for boot camp.  I hope you will keep me in mind as you watch my progress as my strength, fitness and knowledge build.  I'm stoked!!

FROM: TROOPER WILLAND

I just wanted to let you know that tonight, I have played hockey for the first time in two and half months. My teammate's have not seen me since I started Boot Camp. You should have seen the look on their faces. Some would say: "there is something different about you" or "have you lost weight?" I will be honest with you. I use to get tired just getting dressed for a game. Tonight was different. After the first 20 minutes of the game, I could not wait to get back on the ice. After 60 minutes, when the game ended. I felt great! This team we played was some of the best competition that I have played against in years. I never would have been able to play against this team 2 months ago. I know I have said it before to you, so you will just have to put up with me again. I just want to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROGRAM. I feel wonderful and confident. You know what this means, I am just going have to come back. So can you handle another month of me? Oh by the way we won tonight 5 to 2. I am looking forward to another Boot Camp, and next Saturday nights hockey game.

FROM: TROOPER ZIMMER

I want to thank you for inspiring me and having me on a regular fitness program. Do you know that I have never in my life been on a program for more than 4 weeks, and never a consistent one, where I could say that I exercised more than twice a week. I love your program and it makes me think about myself, understand my self better, and I want to make my body fit. You are an excellent coach and motivator. I really never thought that I would get into an effective exercise program and stick to it!