October 2024 Member of the Month: Felipe Anaya
We are stoked to introduce you to Felipe (he/him/they/them)! Felipe started with us by way of Private Foundations in April 2023. He worked with both Vincent and Kathryn, and has grown a lot since then. Felipe had some experience working with kettlebells, barbell was new to him, and then his health coach recommended him to FUELhouse. 😊 We are so honored when we’re a recommendation, especially from another coach 😊 Continue reading below to learn amore about Felipe in his own words.
Name: Felipe Anaya
Pronoun(s): he/him/they/them
Occupation: Librarian & Professor
Where can you be found outside of the gym? What do you do for a living?
I live in Ballard and work at Bellevue College as a Librarian and Professor. I teach students how to conduct research for their classes and use information appropriately. It's a fun job, and I'm always learning something new myself.
What are your hobbies?
One of the things I love about living in Seattle is having access to what a larger city has to offer and being close to the outdoors. In the city, I love trying new restaurants and seeing the arts, like the Seattle Art Museum and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. My outside activities include paddle boarding, hiking, backpacking, and camping. I also love to travel, and this year, I visited Mexico, Canada, Norway, and Denmark.
What brought you to FH in the first place?
I worked with a health and wellness coach to improve my functional fitness. I love being outdoors and have a young nephew to keep up with, and maintaining my health is essential as I age. My coach helped me to find a gym and recommended FUELhouse as one of the options.
How are we so lucky you picked us (what are your favorite things about FH)?
I had taken a kettlebell class in the past and enjoyed how dynamic the workouts can be. I wanted to find something similar and came across FUELhouse! I also appreciated how you offered the foundations class because I've never done other traditional weightlifting exercises, and they were a bit intimidating.
What sports or fitness things did you do before FH?
Run, hiking, biking, kettlebell
What programs are you currently involved in at FH and why?
Kettlebell plus body weight, because I enjoy how dynamic the exercises can be.
What goals are you working towards and/or what’s on your FH bucket list of things you’d like to accomplish?
First, complete 100 snatches with 20kg this fall, and then Simple sometime next year!
What makes you commit to training even on days you don't feel like it?
Staying healthy to do the activities I enjoy and keeping up with my nephew.
What's your favorite movement/exercise?
The snatch!
What have been your “bright spots” (PRs or accomplishments are you most proud of)?
The Get Up is new to me, and I've appreciated progressing where I started.
How have these accomplishments affected your life?
I've noticed a big difference in everyday activities like lifting, bending, or squatting to reach for something. As I get older, it's important to maintain this strength and flexibility, and I'm setting myself up for long-term health.
What is on your general bucket list for life?
Get into mountaineering and climb several Washington peaks.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself or what’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have a wonderful dog named Leeloo!
What's your favorite thing about being a FUELhouse member?
The community and support! The coaches are also great, and I appreciate how they continue to give me pointers in improving my form.
What was your first impression of FH? How has that changed?
I appreciated the foundations class because it alleviated some stress in starting a new activity. Since then, I have enjoyed how those first coaches (Vincent and Kathryn) still ask how I'm doing and care about my progress.
What advice do you have for new (or experienced!) friends trying out FH?
It can be intimidating to join a new gym or start a new activity, but FH coaches and community are supportive in helping you reach your goals and meet you where you're at.