How has your experience been with MINT? Mint has been an integral part of my DC life – I became a member within month of moving here 4 years ago and haven’t looked back! I love the instructors and the community feel. There are so many members we see on a regular basis in class and around the neighborhood. I particularly love the Flexguest option so that I can always bring a friend to workout with and keep motivated.

Fitness goals and how you have started working your way towards them? My goals have evolved over the years. I joined to lose the weight I’d gained finishing my PhD dissertation. Then I pledged to get into great shape for my wedding and introduced my then fiancee Trevor to MINT and he’s been my most frequent gym buddy since then. Most recently I vowed to stay in shape during pregnancy and kept it up right until 2 days before delivery, earning a spot in the winners of the latest “Maintain Don’t Gain” challenge. Now, I’m looking forward to shedding the baby weight healthily and took my first step with my first classes back, though I do need the doctor’s clearance before I really hit it hard!

How is your personal training experience (if working with a trainer): I’ve mainly taken classes and done cardio on my own, I did just buy a three pack of PT with Myke because he has such a positive reassuring personality. I’m looking forward to working with him to figure out what exercises work best in my new postpartum body.

Classes you like? I particularly enjoy Colleen’s style of timed-circuit obstacle course Power Playground and . There’s no better way to jump start your Saturday morning than Power Playground and/or MintCore with Mike. And when I’m running a little late in for a weekday morning, I’ll catch Braegan’s half of Fuse and then cardio on my own