One Tuesday evening in mid December, I decided to try out BTB. I remember meeting Jeff Hayes who owns BTB with his wife, Melissa. Jeff introduced himself to me at which time I also told him a little bit about one of my challenges in life. I was born with Poland's Syndrome, which essentially means my right hand did not fully develop. It has not prevented me from achieving my goals in life; I played college sports and participate in marathons and triathlons. However, I could not help but think with strength training how my overall performance in these activities could improve, not to mention physical appearance. My right arm was quite a bit smaller than my left arm. Jeff assured me that I could do everything in the gym. The first night, I nearly died....well, I thought I was going to! I realized how 1 dimmenssional my workouts had been. I was only able to complete 1/2 of the workout. I knew I would be back. 

I was committed to going to BTB for at least 3-4 months before I determined if it would assist me in achieving my goals which essentially were to see more body tone, improve my performance in events, and also develop my upper body strength which was weaker due to my physical difference. I started training for the ST. Anthony's Triathlon in January and was going to use that race which was in April as well as the Georgia ING 1/2 Marathon which was in March as benchmarks for BTB's success in helping me reach these goals. 

I attend BTB 3-5 times a week. I incoporated it into my workout schedules for marathon and triathlon training. Perhaps the greatest gift I have received from BTB is from the owners, Jeff and Melissa Hayes, and their best in class team of trainers. I have never been seen as having a handicap or being different. In fact, it is usuall me that points it out when I am in the midst of 50 sumo deadlifts and I feel like make some lame excuse. Well, I am quickly reminded that there are no excuses. About two weeks after I started attending BTB, Jeff, the owner, came up to me and said, "Kristy, I was thinking about you and your challenge with pull ups the other night. I really want to ensure you are getting the full range of motion." At the time, I was just bending my wrist of my right stubb over the bar and since that arm is shorter I was not benefiting from the full motion. Jeff told me he researched the internet and found something he thought would work. I was excited, and a week later, I walked into the gym on a Saturday morning. Jeff sprinted across the gym and was like "Kristy. Kristy....I have something for you." I was somewhat uneasy as the gym was packed and everyone else was ready to start the work out which began w/ pull ups. I took a deepth breath and decided I'd relish the moment. He came over with a metal hook that I could strap around stubb's wrist and hang from the bar to do a full range pull up. This was such a defining moment. I wanted to cry. No one had gone to such measures to make sure that I was getting the proper workout. I had coaches in high school that definitely gave me many gifts but weight lifting was always the challenge, Even in college, no coach stepped in to to see how we could figure out a way to do dead lifts or pull ups. In fact, I was not even given an alternate to deadlifts in college. I just watched the team do them. I had a tear in my eye that day. It was a tear of joy. It was a tear of gratitude. My heart was smiling. 

Goal update: 
So, I am just about at my 5 month mark with BTB. I ran the ING GA Marathon 15 minutes faster than last year despite the fact my longest run was only 8 miles. I also completed the ST. Anthony's Triathlon and shaved off approx. 25 seconds in the swim, approx. 1 minute on the bike, and a whopping 50 seconds on the run for a PR time of 2:59:31. DId I mention that I am 100% confident my success in shaving off some of my time is all related to BTB? I have not weighed myself (I hate scales); however, all my 'skinny' clothes are fitting and I can visually see the results. I also just achieved my first unassisted pull-up which I never thought in a million years would have been possible. 

I started this lengthy story to simply say that at BTB, I continue to learn each and everyday how to conquer another thing I thought was 'impossible' due to a physical difference. I am beginning to see the only impossible is in my head. People are so resourceful as long as I am receptive. BTB is a special place and the heart and soul of BTB is to assit you with your personal goals in a positive, fun, and challenging environment. I have met some incredible people and know that they will be friends for a long time.