At All Fit Orlando, we talk all the time about "transformation." We are always seeing our athletes transform their mind, their lives, and often bodies. This is the story of Jana Mays, who went from being relatively inactive to competing in an upcoming Olympic lifting competition. Her journey is a testament to the power of determination, community support, and the right coaching and guidance. Here’s a closer look at how Jana made this incredible transition and some information on how you can come and support her.
The Beginning: A New Year's Resolution
At the end of 2020, Jana found herself in a unique position. The COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, and social distancing measures were the norm. Around the same time, she received a promotion at her job, moving into engineering management. With this new role came a bit more financial flexibility, and Jana decided to invest in her physical well-being. She joined All Fit Orlando as a personal training (PT) customer.
"I joined All Fit at the end of 2020 as a personal training only customer. Covid and distancing were in full swing. I recently got a promotion at my job into engineering management and wanted to budget the extra money to my physical wellbeing," Jana recalls.
The Decision to Join All Fit Orlando
Jana's decision to join All Fit Orlando was influenced by her long-standing relationship with Rob and Rebecca, the owners of All Fit Orlando. She appreciated the local aspect of the gym and the fact that it offered both personal training and classes. This meant she wouldn’t have to build her own workout routines or worry about performing movements incorrectly.
"I have been lucky to know Rob and Rebecca for quite some time and knew about All Fit through them. I liked that All Fit is local, and offered PT as well as classes where I wouldn’t have to build my own workout and guess if I was doing the movements correctly," she explains.
The Journey Begins
Jana's fitness journey started slowly. She wasn’t very active throughout her life, except for a consistent yoga practice in her 20s. For the first year after joining All Fit, she did PT once a week and gradually started incorporating at-home strength training.
"In 2022, Rob encouraged me to do the All Fit New Year's challenge where I had unlimited access to classes for the first time. I started going a few times a week, which turned into a consistent 5 or more classes a week for the year of 2022," Jana shares.
During these classes, she met Nick, the head coach at All Fit, who introduced her to Olympic weightlifting during the Saturday barbell classes. Her PT sessions with Rob also began to include Olympic lifts, and she found herself hooked, eager to improve and get stronger.
The Decision to Compete
Initially, Jana was resistant to the idea of competing. She enjoyed the lifts and the daily progress she was making. However, Nick encouraged her to give it a try. Eventually, she agreed, and now she’s excited to be part of something larger and see if she wants to pursue competitive lifting more seriously.
"Nick encouraged me to compete. At the beginning, I was resistant—I just enjoyed the lifts and getting better every day. Eventually, I said I would do one and since then I can honestly say I’m excited to be part of something larger and get a feel for if I’d like to go down this path and get more serious about competing," Jana says.
Training for the Competition
Jana began her specific training for the competition in April, giving her a total of four months to prepare. Her training regimen includes PT sessions with Nick twice a week, focusing on Olympic lifting techniques and lifts in addition to group classes.
"I now do PT with Nick twice a week to focus on the Olympic lifts and technique which helps me truly get into the mindset of what I can expect during competition. Nick has extensive experience at Olympic weightlifting competitions and I know that he has prepared me well," she notes.
The Impact of All Fit Orlando
Joining All Fit Orlando has been life-changing for Jana. The support and guidance she received during her personal training sessions boosted her confidence and enabled her to tackle more challenging workouts. The community at All Fit, filled with kind, funny, and supportive people, further motivated her and had a positive impact on her mental health.
"From the day to day, working out at All Fit means challenging myself and getting stronger. When going into class, I know that my endurance and strength will get better and lead me to be more successful in my Olympic lifts," Jana explains.
Looking Ahead
As for the future, Jana is open to the idea of more competitions, provided she enjoys her first experience. She’s excited about continuing to improve her lifts, get stronger, and see the positive effects on her overall life.
"As long as I don’t hate it—probably more competitions! I’m looking forward to continuing to PR my lifts as I know I have room to grow, get stronger and improve my technique," she says.
Advice for Others
Jana’s advice for anyone considering a similar path is to be curious and not let negative self-talk get in the way. She emphasizes the importance of showing up, being vulnerable, and finding a supportive community.
"Be curious before anything else—don’t let negative self-talk get in the way of doing something amazing that you might fall in love with. When you first start, just show up and be curious. Put it out there that you feel awkward and let others support you. Find your group that acts as cheerleaders and be a cheerleader for others," she advises.
Jana’s journey from couch to competition is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, support, and dedication, anyone can achieve their fitness goals.
How to Support Jana and All Fit Orlando in her Competition
Jana's Competition takes place on Sunday 8/4/24 tentatively around 2pm. The competition takes place at the Hilton Orlando Altamonte Springs located at 350 Northlake Boulevard in Altamonte Springs. Tickets are just $5 and all additional info and tickets can be purchased in advance or on site. http://www.olyconcepts.com/the-praelium
There will be a contingent of All Fit Orlando coaches and athletes on site. We encourage you to wear an All Fit shirt for support.
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