30/Project Manager, Owner of Cryo Wellness Lab, Personal Trainer/STRONGCAMP Houston 2015

Why did you sign up for STRONGCAMP?
This is going to be a long answer… There are many reasons! I started following Kelsey on Instagram about two years ago. We were just weeks apart in our pregnancies with our precious baby girls. I loved reading about her progress during her pregnancy, and the workouts she posted while she was pregnant. She was so positive and health-focused during her pregnancy and I really just enjoyed following her. After we had our babies, it was so encouraging watching her post-baby journey as well. She was so real about the struggles and challenges that new mothers face, and it was so nice to see a well-known fitness icon share the same struggles that you are! When I saw she was going to be an Ambassador at STRONGCAMP via her IG account, I knew I just had to meet her face to face! As a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, I am always the one pushing people. I wanted to be on the receiving end of the push for once. It was so nice to actually have someone kick my butt and write up the workouts for me! I didn’t have to think all weekend. I was able to take many of the tools and workouts I learned that weekend back home to my clients! I am just a lover of FITNESS! I was a competitive gymnast for 5 years before stopping to play softball, cheerleading, volleyball, and basketball through my senior year in high school. After high school volleyball season was over, I immediately got a gym membership and that’s where my love for weights grew! I worked at a gym for five years and then after college I started competing in running races, before getting into triathlons. I started competing in triathlons of every distance – from sprint race to Ironman races – between my two children. My husband and I race every chance we get, taking turns so one of us can have the kids while the other one races! Our kids are pro-spectators at their young ages. With me, there are no boundaries with fitness. I love it all. The more forms of fitness I can partake in, the better!

What was your favorite part of the STRONGCAMP weekend?
By far, our “sharing circle.” It was the time at the end of the first day where we all shared our stories. It was such a moving experience, and I will never forget it. I even get teary-eyed thinking of it right now. We all shared our story with everyone that led us to be there, and led us to be the women we are today. Incredible. Motivating. Real. Raw.

What was the most valuable lesson or technique you learned (training or otherwise)?
Everyone has a story. Everyone is on a journey. No one person’s journey is the same. As STRONG women, our goal is to build each other up and praise each other for where we are in our journey, no matter where that might be. None of us would be where we are today without someone else pushing us to be there.

Who is your biggest supporter?
My husband! We met while we were both training for Ironman races. We train together. We work out together – well, I put him through my terrible workouts. And he makes me chase after him while he runs 10 feet ahead of me. We balance each other out. He knows my limits, and pushes me past them. He knows I can go further than I think I am capable of.

Our children. I’ll tell you what, I heard my 4 year-old son tell someone recently that his mommy is an Ironman and really fast! Can you imagine the tears that poured out of my eyes? When I see them cheering me on at races, I cry every single time!

Also, my father. He has always been the one encouraging me to play sports growing up, and through my fitness journey as an adult. He likes to brag about me. And he prays for me during, before and after all of my races. I can feel his prayers, and they help! I’m lucky – I guess I have 4 “biggest” supporters!

What are your future plans?
Right now, my husband and I are in the works of opening up a Cryotherapy recovery facility in The Woodlands. As a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, my true passion in life is helping people in their fitness journey and helping them become the best version of themselves possible. Recovery is more important than actually training- if you don’t recover, you can’t train correctly and see progress. We are so excited to help athletes of all backgrounds recover better, and help manage their pain. There are so many other benefits to Cryotherapy. This is just one awesome benefit! I’d also love to get a PR in my marathon and Ironman times one day. And I honestly don’t think I will ever actually stop teaching group fitness classes. I have been teaching for 10.5 years. I will most likely be the 80 year old group fitness instructor one day! Other than that, we want to continue to grow our family. Hopefully there will be one or two more McFarlane babies running around one day to add to the two already here!

Anything else we should know about you?
For anyone who has ever thought of attending a Strong Camp, DO IT! It was a retreat away from life, and being able to bond with women from all over the country was soooo good for my soul! It went way past the awesome workouts.