Women’s History Month - Member Highlight
Women’s History Month - Member Highlight: Celebrating the Fitness Journeys of Mallory and Katrina
March marks Women’s History Month - a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of women throughout history and the present day. As we commemorate the amazing women who have paved the way, it's also essential to recognize the women in our lives who inspire and empower us daily. Today, we're shining a spotlight on two incredible women, Mallory and Katrina, who are making strides in their fitness journeys and beyond.
Mallory Stockley, a Perseverance member since 2020, can be found at our Stanley location five days a week. Katrina Konsolas, originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, moved to Denver a little over a year ago and has fallen in love with the city and working out at Perseverance!
We asked these inspiring women a series of questions to learn more about their fitness journey, personal goals, self-care practices, and the women who inspire them. Here's what they had to say:
Mallory Stockley:
Q: What's something that you're currently working on or striving towards in your personal life, and how does fitness help you in achieving that goal?
A: "I am currently working on finding more balance in my life. In my late 20s, I picked up long-distance running and ran over 15 marathons in 4 years. I put too much pressure on myself to get there, and I am learning not to take everything so seriously because life is too short. Having fun and laughing along the way is what matters more than putting your body through hell to accomplish a task."
Q: What's your favorite way to unwind and practice self-care after a long day, and how does it contribute to your overall well-being and happiness?
A: "Heading to the 5:30 pm class at Perseverance is my favorite way to unwind after a long day. I love the energy of the group classes, and the trainers are extremely motivating! I find I am very “grumpy” if I don’t get a workout during the day. I also love to go for walks with my dogs after a long day. I enjoy spending time outside and can’t wait for warmer temperatures this Spring!"
Q: Who are the women that inspire you in your life, and how have they helped you become the person you are today?
A: "My sister has always been my role model. She is extremely successful and basically raised me. She can still be that “bossy older sister,” but she means well and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for her."
Q: What does being a woman mean to you, and how has your experience as a woman influenced your fitness journey?
A: "Being a woman isn't always easy. We have so many pressures and expectations to live up to as a woman, especially when it comes to carrying a child and being a mother. I have always dreamt of being a mom, but never thought it was going to happen due to my infertility struggles over the years. Fitness has not only helped with my mental health, it has also kept me strong during my pregnancy. It is something I look forward to every day!"
Katrina Konsolas:
Q: What's something that you're currently working on or striving towards in your personal life, and how does fitness help you in achieving that goal?
A: "In my personal life, I feel like I have been working on appreciating my body for all the things that it does for me and not putting so much pressure on myself for how it looks all the time- truly finding balance between being healthy and enjoying myself without punishment. Fitness has helped me in achieving that in helping me realize how I can surpass my expectations of myself every single day.”
Q: What's your favorite way to unwind and practice self-care after a long day, and how does it contribute to your overall well-being and happiness?
A: “Again, it's all about balance for me. After a long day at work, I love letting out any stress with a great workout, followed by a good meal, a glass of wine, and a trashy reality TV show! I also love to get outside on a sunny day and take a nice long walk with my dog. Even if you are having the busiest day, I truly think it is so important to take even a few minutes to do something that makes you happy or carve out time to prioritize your health and well-being.”
Q: Who are the women that inspire you in your life, and how have they helped you become the person you are today?
A: “The women that inspire me in my life are the women in my family (my mother and sister) and my best friends. I feel like each of them individually represent different aspects of being a woman, from strength to intelligence to empathy to authenticity and more. They inspire me every day to show up for myself and put the best version of myself out there. I am so lucky and grateful to be surrounded by powerful women in my life!”
Q: What does being a woman mean to you, and how has your experience as a woman influenced your fitness journey?
A: “Being a woman looks and feels different for each woman because we all manifest our femininity and womanhood differently. To me, simply put being a woman is being unapologetically myself. It means pushing boundaries, using my voice and empowering other women around me to do the same. My experience as a woman has influenced my fitness journey because as a woman, a lot of times you feel the restrictions others impose on you because they think you can't do something, and instead of letting them, I use it as fuel to prove to others how strong and limitless I can truly be.”
In conclusion, Mallory and Katrina are just two examples of the many incredible women out there who are pushing boundaries, finding balance, and inspiring others in their fitness journeys and beyond. As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, let's take a moment to honor and appreciate the women in our lives who have made a difference, and to encourage and support each other to achieve our goals and dreams. Together, we can continue to break down barriers and uplift the power and resilience of women everywhere!