DECEMBER MEMBERS OF THE MONTH: JILLIAN & TOM SALLEE

By Elise | Jan. 8, 2018

They are the living definition of “power couple”. If you look around the Wakefield studio and see them, you know that you’re going to have an amazing workout, because they raise the level of everyone in the room. Everything from helping us get special Sweat Fixx towels, to introducing the world to “Crop Top Tom” – the Sallees are the epitome of what it means to be part of the #FixxFam.

Jillian first came to us only a few days after we opened our doors… so Jillian, cheers to almost ONE YEAR of getting your Fixx!

Raising a family, working full time, and finding time to work out takes a lot of careful planning and scheduling, which means for some people that class sometimes drops off their to-do list. For the Sallees? It’s not uncommon for one of them to show up saying “I made lunch for everyone yesterday, so I got to take this class!”

So, it’s our pleasure to announce that our December members of the month are no other than Jillian & Tom Sallee. We took a little time to get to know what keeps them motivated every single day.

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?

Jillian: My friend Kate asked me to come try a new class with her. It was a Private Fixx just a few days after the studio opened in January 2017  and it was soooo hard.  But really, that’s why I loved it.
Tom: All the credit here goes to Jillian. She started going and would come home everyday and talk about it…and post online about it with those crazy hashtags. She was getting great results and became so addicted to the workouts and the Fixx Fam that I just had to try it.

What keeps you coming back?

J: The results keep me coming back… both the physical and mental changes are huge.  I have so much more mental strength now, and if I miss a day I get agitated and crabby.  Also, the people keep me coming back.  I know my 5:30am crew will miss me (and Gab will get after me) if I don’t show up! The instructors are also amazing, and each one brings something different to the table.  Some are more intense, some are more inspirational, and this combination provides me all the things I need.

T: The number one thing bringing me back is the workouts and the results. If you come in to the studio ready to work, you can push yourself to your limit and get stronger every time, no matter what your fitness level is. The other thing that brings me back is the amazing instructors who have been there to provide coaching on everything from technique, to motivation, to nutrition.

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to Sweat Fixx?

J: I  love knowing that I’m going to get a hard workout.  No matter what the class is – I know I can push myself and leave there exhausted.  Oh and Star Cookies waiting for me on my rower.

T: I love how Sweat Fixx helps me to feel strong and manage my stress all day long after a workout. My energy level is up, my muscles feel alive (and sore), and I know if I can get up at 5AM and tackle a Row Fixx, I can handle whatever my day has in store.

What motivates you to be stronger?

J: I just love that feeling of pushing myself past what I could do before, and I’m finding that I can be so much stronger than I ever thought.  I love being able to grab a heavier weight, or grab the blue mini-bands instead of the green, and leave the studio proud of myself. That just makes me want to keep going and get even stronger.

T: I’m pretty competitive – even with myself – so I’m always watching the monitor and trying to get better…and I can’t resist a challenge from the instructors. I also look at my family, and I feel a real sense of obligation to them to be a role model for a healthy lifestyle, and to take care of myself so I’m still here and crushing it when it’s time for me to be a grandfather.

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?

J: I’m working at preschool or daycare, chasing after my own four kids, or trying to find some quiet time to spend with Tom or with a good book.

T: Watching Netflix with Jillian on the couch, driving kids to activities, patrolling the hallways of a local middle school, or maybe sneaking some time with my guitars.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

J: Trader Joe’s holiday Star Cookies, seeing who gets a rose each week on the Bachelor, and Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes.

T: Harry Potter (but really no guilt here), dark chocolate, craft beer, turning the volume WAY up in the car and singing along to my favorite bands.

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?

J: My commitment to going consistently, and being stronger today than I was yesterday.  Also the friendships that I’ve built and the sense of team that we have all really developed.  Even though it is an individual activity, we push each other and celebrate each other’s successes…it’s really one of my favorite things about Sweat Fixx.

T: Being able to stick with it and prioritize fitness despite all the craziness of family life and work; it has helped give me real balance. That and breaking 38 minutes in the 10k row.

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?

J: Grab a buddy and prepare to work hard, and take advantage of the whole time and every exercise – don’t waste a second.  And be ready to become obsessed.

T: Go 100% and embrace the challenge and the pain – it’s the reason you came. Otherwise – what’s the point?

Posted in Member of the Month