Melissa has overcome a lot on her fitness journey. She has worked incredibly hard both mentally and physically to get where she is today and hasn’t let any excuse slow her down! We are incredibly proud of her and hope her story will inspire you!
Name: Melissa Sims
Age: 34
Occupation: Independent Provider, Ohio Dept of Developmental Disabilities
What brought you to TFA?
I originally started at TFA in 2017 to lose weight and get healthy for my son and to have another child. My goal now in 2021 when I came back is to show my son the world through my eyes since he is no longer here to experience it himself. I couldn’t do that at the unhealthy weight I was at. We are also trying again to give him a sibling.
How has TFA changed your life?
Being a member at TFA gives me confidence and it’s also a way to deal with my anxiety. It helps with stress, accountability, and it also feels like family.
What goals have you accomplished since being at TFA?
I have lost 55 pounds so far and love my body more than I ever have, not just the way I look but mostly the way I feel. I also lost enough weight to join the Be the Match registry so that I can hopefully save someone else’s life someday.
What are your current goals?
My current goal for now is to continue to lose weight and be as healthy as possible so that my body is ready for pregnancy if we are lucky enough to have it happen.
How many day per week do you workout?
I try to be there as many days a week as I can, sometimes 5 sometimes 3 to 5, it depends.
What is 1 food/meal you could eat for the rest of your life?
Homemade veggie soup
What do you enjoy outside of the gym? Spending time with my husband, traveling to places our son would have loved to go. Relaxing 😆
If you could meet anyone, ever, who would it be and why?
Randy’s grandpa. He really loved him but I didn’t get the pleasure of meeting him.
What has been the biggest thing you have overcome?
I wouldn’t say I have overcome it because I know I’ll struggle everyday for the rest of my life but every day that I am here is another day I’ve overcome without my sweet Caleb here by my side.
What’s your best story about this gym?
It’s nice to go to a gym and feel excepted and to be cheered on by people I don’t know. I used to be afraid to workout in front of people now I tell myself I can do it.
What advice would you give to the person you were when you started?
Stay consistent but don’t be afraid to take time away if needed. Burnout is a bitch. I also want to say that the only person you’re there to be better than is yesterday’s self.
