How do I introduce this girl?

First of all, she has no idea she is my athlete spotlight this week. I’m pretty sure she won’t mind and hopeful that I am right.

Miss Merrik Bowman was in her senior year at Holy Savior Menard HS. She contacted me about training. She was a runner (on the cross country team) but was having some complications with her feet and back. Merrick had no quit in her heart and wanted to continue her healthy lifestyle but didn’t know how.

“Mer” brought me her goals. We discussed expectations, and how we would reach all of them. There was something special about this girl. A fighter, never a quitter, never said no, pushed through some of the most intense workouts, never complained and always wore a beautiful smile.

I have said to many people “if I can raise my daughter to be as well-mannered, loving, fearless, dedicated and spiritual as Merrik, I’d be doing something right.”

The day came that Merrik was to leave for Monroe to pursue her college years. She worked out 5 days a week that last week. She never missed a beat. I kind of wanted to believe that it was because she didn’t want to leave me. HAHA! I knew it was going to be hard to see her go.

It was like watching one of my students go to the next grade. You knew it had to happen but you knew a piece of your heart was going with them.

Merrik came in that Friday morning for her last workout, that I seriously made up on a whim just to kick her booty that final day. She handled it like a champ as always. As she was leaving, and I was crying, she said, “Mrs. Mitzi, I left a letter for you on your desk.” OH MY GOSH – She knew I couldn’t handle all of that. I had to wait for my last client of the day to finish up before I opened that handwritten letter.

Merrik’s words left me speechless, in tears, and so proud of her. She is a jewel. I know she will be back to see me during holidays and next summer to continue pushing through struggles of fitness and life. You know I am always here for you. Furthermore, you also impacted many people in that gym, including myself.

Mer – I didn’t teach you any of those things you gave me credit for. YOU did that. I just gave you a little push in the right direction.   YOU did all the work, and for that, you are a rock star.

This is Merrik’s story.   STRONG –

Love you BIG, Mrs. Mitzi

8/10/17

Dear Mrs. Mitzi,

Today is my last class until my first break from college. : ( I wanted to write you this letter to let you know how much you have impacted my life in just 9 short months!

I was a gymnast and I played softball throughout my childhood. I started running cross country my freshman year of high school. I absolutely loved it! My back was hurt my junior year and never really got back into running the way I was before. Keep in mind, I was active 24/7 and then I just stopped. I would run here and there, but my physical activity slowed down tremendously. I had eaten whatever I wanted and however much I wanted and it never affected me. Unfortunately, that caught up with me the summer going in to my senior year.   I began seeing Mr. Fred Ruggles’ daily post on Facebook about Whole 30. Well, I talked to my friend Kaitlin and we agreed to start it together. We ended up going to a W30 potluck at his house one Friday night. I was a little scared as I walked through the door, but everyone made us feel so welcomed. When Mr. Fred interviewed you for the live video, I thought to myself, “Oh my gosh this woman is down to business.”

Kaitlin and I never made it the Whole 30 days, but the most important thing is that I learned what kinds of foods are good for your body and what kinds of foods are bad for your body. I completely changed my eating habits for the better. Even though I was eating healthier, I was not where I wanted to be. I would look in the mirror and be unhappy with who and what I saw. I would think to myself, “Why am I so unhappy? I’ve never had this problem before. I just wish it would go away.” I had heard nothing but good things about Mitzi Fairbanks. Strong. Serious. Down to business. I asked my mom to give you a call to see if I could start working out with you. Luckily, she said yes! I was quite nervous my first day. You asked me what my goals were and I told you.

I have kept up with your blog every week. I read every person’s story and every one of your post. Throughout the past 9 months, you have become one of the biggest role models in my life. You are kind, easy to talk to, fun, determined, motivational, inspirational, intelligent, and STRONG. You have helped me become mentally and physically stronger, happy with who and what I see in the mirror, helped me to be stronger in picking the healthier choices, and you have taught me to go the extra mile to become the better me. You have taught me to be confident with the person I am, to love the person I am, and to love the person I have worked hard to achieve.

I wrote you this letter to show you how much I appreciate you and the time you have put forth to help me in many ways you may not know you have helped me with. And for that, I am forever thankful! I’ll be back every break, so don’t worry!

XOXO, Merrik Bowman