We are ecstatic to announce Emily Sturm as our June Athlete of the Month! Emily is a valued member of our gym community, and is praised by the coaches for bringing a welcoming, positive, and encouraging energy to each and every class! Read more about this month’s celebrated athlete below!
Coach Amelia says, “Emily joined Solcana in December 2019, and I first got to know her during the morning outdoor classes we offered after the first quarantine lockdown. We did 7am workouts outside through November, and I remember being so impressed with her consistency, showing up even to row while light snow fell! Emily is outdoorsy in all seasons; she and her wife Bonnie joined other Solcana members last year for a canoe relay down the Mississippi, coming in first (out of two teams). I often seek out Emily as a lifting partner if we’re in class together – she’s strong and pushes me to go a little heavier or faster, but she’s also super chill and will support me if I want to take it easy too.”
Coach Garrett F adds, “Emily became a Virtual regular and stayed super committed and consistent during that time. Emily is super inspiring and hard-working. Even during virtual I could see her making steady progress on her technique, strength and mobility. She continues to grow in strength and ability and I often admire her form and energy when I get to see the end of 6AM class. I am sad that I do not get to coach her very often, but I am so glad she is so committed and connected to our early-morning fitness community.”
Emily tells us about her journey with exercise and working out: “I remember being in high school and wanting to lift weights but feeling too intimidated?by the “bro” culture that so many high school gyms have (or had??maybe that is changing?).”
…. and about her start and experiences at Solcana: “I joined Solcana in November of 2019 – just a few months before the pandemic!? Solcana helped me stay grounded during the loneliness and isolation of the pandemic through virtual and outdoor workouts, and I was and am motivated by feeling strong in my body and working out with friends.”?
Coach Sonal says, “It is an absolute pleasure to have Emily and her ever-joyful self at the 6am club. Emily is always welcoming of new members with the biggest cheer and smile. I love that she knows when to push herself hard and the days she needs to take it easy, all with a smile. She is very open to suggestions/recommendations from the coaches and is constantly doing her best to gain strength and do even better the next time. Her focus on her workouts during both strength and MetCons is very inspiring. I am always happy to have Emily in my class!”
Coach Max adds, “I got to know Emily during Sunday Funday. Emily brings a lighthearted attitude while striving to tackle the next goal.?She’s?always down to entertain my silly gym games and uplift her fellow teammates. Emily and I frequently find ourselves in conversation about canoeing and raising chickens.”
Fun Facts About Emily!
- She helped to build a cob and straw bale house in South Dakota.
- She found morels for the first time this year.
- And she wants to build a pizza oven in her backyard!
Our June highlighted athlete also enjoys camping, foraging, playing with her kids, and doing projects around the house!
Coach Jeff adds, “Emily is such a cool human being.?I have memories from the early days of virtual fitness of Emily working out in what seemed to be the cupboard under the stairs.?She and her wife had just had a baby and she?didn’t?want to wake anyone up.”
“Emily came into the gym with a lot of body awareness and some pretty great movement patterns.?Even so, she has always been willing to learn something new or explore ways to move even better.”
We can’t wait to continue watching Emily reach her goals and get stronger with us, and we’re happy to elevate her as our positive, lighthearted, and incredibly hardworking June Athlete of the Month!
Solcana Fitness 