Article By Michael White 2011 Gold's Gym Most Inspirational Employee. You can read his blog at www.startwanting.com

Hello Everyone!  I am Michael White, and I am a membership counselor, NCCPT Certified Trainer, and Bootcamp Instructor at Gold's Gym Chapel Hill, and a seasoned competitive wrestler and coach. But I have not always been so health minded. 

In January 2009 I tipped the scale at 340 pounds.  After seeing pictures of myself on a cruise I realized that I was the guy I had always made fun of, the overweight coach who tells his athletes to be healthy but doesn't do the same, and the stereotypical "funny fat guy" who makes everyone laugh, but is in fact very sad when the laughter stopped.

I made the decision to make a change.  I changed my diet and lost 30 pounds by March.  Then as things were looking up I lost my job and gained the weight back!  In December I was put down with pneumonia and my wife was also hospitalized.  As soon as she was home we threw out everything from our "fat life".  We wanted a fresh start.  So we got on track started a solid fitness and nutrition program and did indeed change our lives. 

Eventually, as we all do, I hit a plateau.  Then I stopped focusing on the number and set a performance goal.  After changing my focus I worked even harder, and as I did the weight (125 pounds) just came off.  In April 2011 I achieved my goal.  I was the USAW Veteran's National Wrestling Champion.  If that wasn't enough in June I given another honor.  I was named Most Inspirational Employee Worldwide by Gold's Gym International. 

My advice to anyone is to stop wishing for a change.  It is not just going to happen.  You have to want to make it happen.    

 Meet our August Member of the Month

Joanne's Before Picture

What inspired you to start your fitness journey? 

I have struggled with my weight since I got pregnant with my first child in 1994. This resulted in me feeling as if I don't "fit" in my own family. I prayed for 2012 to be a year of transformation and so far I have lost 65lbs. As well as received a promotion!  I enjoy fitness classes with Tracey DeLong the most.        

Tell us a little about you?  

Joanne 65 pounds lighter!

I'm married to Vincent Felder- who is into weightlifting. I have 2 teenage daughter and my son is 8years old. I enjoy photography, hiking and archery (this is a new hobby)

Three FUN Questions!

1.  If you could leave today for a month-long vacation, where would you go?  Tuscany, Italy

2.  Do you have pets? Yes! I wonderful German Rottweiler, Asia- she's a big ol puppy!

3.  Do you have a favorite sports team? STEELERS BABY!!!!

Meet our Two Member of the Month Honorable Mentions Winners!

 Scott L'Hoste

You are such a positive person to have in my classes !!! Thank you :) AND you do Zumba with your wife!:)!:) Now that's cool !!  April Baker, Gold's Gym Instructor/Trainer

I just wanna say briefly that Scott is such an awesome person! Laurels Sunday Ride class always has that extra motivation, Challenge and fun when Scott is there! He is awesome!!!! GO SCOTT!!!  April Byrd, Gold's Gym Member

Joanne Trammel

I vote for Joann Trammell. She kicks it and never complains! She is a beast at the gym!! She is the true definition of an athlete. Ashley Seiler Gold's Gym Member

She takes or has taken a majority of our GF classes and is a walking advertisement for Afterburn

Yavonne Virella, Gold's Gym Instructor

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