The past 72 hours here at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh have been absolutely unreal. After wrapping up our killer book release at OTB, we have had people around the city and the world contacting us about something quite different, and honestly, something I hadn’t even expected from some of the first few chapters of Powerful Pressing. I had intended the book to make people stronger than they ever thought possible through the use of kettlebells and calisthenic training. I had no idea that it would do more on a personal level for people beyond the strength training aspect itself, and we haven’t even gotten to the formal release yet.
Before I even dive into this whole hopeful training aspect from Powerful Pressing, Primal Fitness Pittsburgh and beyond,, I have a confession to make. I was horribly nervous the night of the book release. Some of the nervousness was a certain level of anticipatory anxiety about all that is up and coming for the studio. It’s an exciting time, and that level of excitement can be incredibly overwhelming and hard to make sense of at times. On the other end of the spectrum, the nervousness was about my personal story, putting it out there in the world, and also knowing that there is so much more on my personal end of things I have to work through, train through, and write about. It’s’ been a very difficult year for yours truly. It’s been more difficult than anything that was written in the very pages of my publication. It’s been so difficult that I am quite certain the difficulties I’ve had to face head on and all at once would be enough to make the average human being spontaneously combust. Thinking about all that. . .well. . .it can make for a very emotional me, and I am still learning how to handle all of these feelings circling around my heart and soul these days. Sometimes I don’t handle them well at all. I didn’t know what to even think, say, or do Saturday. “I’m at my own book signing. Wait. . WUT?!!?”. That was the only thought on my mind that night.
All that nervousness though. . .it has started to fade away as I have now been reminded on several occasions within the past few days of what everything we have constructed here at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh has done for people. The emails are coming, the wholehearted texts have begun. I’ve had at least 3 very intense phone conversations about how our services, this publication, and my own personal strength have impacted the lives of others. My God! What a game changer! It can be so easy to forget how you impact other people in the middle of the chaos of your life. Thing is. . . all this strength training I have created is really not about me, but about everyone else here that is now a part of one big story.
And that’s what this post is about. This post is about all of you, and how we can train together to make the world a better place, starting right here in the Greater City of Pittsburgh. This is about finding hope in the middle of the weak points in life, and how we can become stronger than we ever though possible when we reach out for help. This is about acting from all the hope we see, and trusting others when we are most vulnerable.
One of my clients was on call with me recently and we were discussing the nature of her exercise program. Our accountability calls have been an incredible thing for her, as the busyness of life tends to distract her from training consistently. What struck me during the conversation was her willingness to share her entire level of vulnerability with me.
“It’s taken me years to admit that I needed to get back in shape, and I found myself making more excuses to not train because. . .well. .it’s easier to make excuses. I reached a certain breaking point though. I had to tell myself that it is ok to be at the beginning of my journey again, if that is where I am. It’s ok to be at the beginning again if that is where you are. I don’t have to be stuck at the beginning though. I can move forward, I just needed some help to start the journey. I found hope in watching how strong you got over the years, so for me, reaching out just made sense.”
I had another conversation with a private client recently here at the studio. What struck me about this conversation was how he brought to light the true value of his training program. Literally, it has made the man invincible.
“I was involved in a major car accident a few days ago. My car is totaled. I was late to our session because I had to pick up my rental car, so I am sorry for that. But know this. The accident was so bad that I don’t think any other personal woudl have walked away form the incident. I could have been seriously injured. I could have , as scary as it sounds, not walked away form that accident at all, but I am here. I am here today because I value what this training has done for me. I believe that it has saved my life, and I am so glad I reached out to you to become so strong, not even an oncoming SUV can take me down.”
And seriously, how can I ever forget this?
“I just put my two weeks in at my job. After the experience I had Saturday and reading chapter 1 of your book Sunday morning, I have decided to completely go for my ambitions. Thanks again to you and Dan for being the kind of people you are and for inspiring me to finally take control of my life. “
I am forever reminded that all of the things that I say and do truly matter to those that are all around me. Likewise, the things that YOU say and do matter to those that are around you as well. Primal Fitness Pittsburgh is most certainly about strength training, but more than that, we have been known to take people at their most vulnerable places in life and give them hope. It is the very hope that we have given people that makes them stronger than they ever thought possible. FACT!
If you are looking for a community of people dedicated to making you the best version of yourself, we are here to serve you in more ways than just physical training. Primal Fitness Pittsburgh has been founded on the very essential and fundamental (hence the term “primal”) movement patterns and nutritional programs that make you a force to be reckoned with. Even more than that, our small group atmosphere has created a solid tribe here in Pittsburgh all training alongside each other to be the best that we can be. We give hope to others, and it is our mission to bring all the more hope to this city at large in the coming months.
In the next few months, we are moving to the South Side of Pittsburgh. . We want to give the South Side of Pittsburgh all the love that we can to change the lives of others through sustainable training methods and whole food nutrition. With your help, we can give back to a community at large that is desperate for a new way of life. Join our tribe! Help us impact the South Side! Let’s show the world how strong we are starting here, in the Greater City of Pittsburgh! For more information on our small group and personal training services, please feel free to email us at info@primalfitnesspittsburgh.com. Should you want to be a part of our tribe more immediately, donate to our cause today.
Remember that your life impacts other people, and know that you are radically loved and supported despite whatever chaos is circling around you. Should you ever reach a stuck point, should you ever need to reach for help, should you ever need to surround yourself with a strong support community, know that we here at Primal Fitness Pittsburgh are always here to help provide all the hope and love that you need to become super human strong!
Master your instincts!
Janelle Pica is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and owner of Primal Fitness Pittsburgh. After having suffered through an autoimmune condition, Janelle was able to significantly improve her health by making dietary and lifestyle changes that put her condition into remission. Janelle became a certified RKC/SFG instructor in April, 2013. Janelle is also a certified Ground Force Method Instructor and focuses her attention on hybrid programs that involve demanding strength training meshed with fluid, functional movements. Janelle has studied under some of the top level fitness instructors in her industry and has competed in competitions such as the Iron Maiden Challenge. Janelle has been featured on major websites such as eattoperform.com, Robbwolf.com and balancedbites.com.
