Blog Interview with Ashely Guetler
If you have been to our Hamdpen location in the past few months or have seen our social media or any emails (including this one!) recently, then you have interacted with the newest member of our Outlast staff, Ashely Guetler. Ashely has been such an amazing addition to our crew. She does so much "behind the scenes" work that it would be impossible to list it all here. She is also a coach of our group fitness classes and has a talent for making people feel seen and knowing when to push and when to hold back. We are finally getting around to doing a blog interview with Ashely so go ahead and read below to learn more about her!
1. What is your background in the health and fitness space?
My family has always been great about including activity, fitness and an overall healthy lifestyle. I was raised on fresh fruit and vegetables knowing the full benefits of healthy eating and staying active. My sister and I were put into all sorts of activities from a young age. My parents started getting involved in a group doing CrossFit at Oregon Ridge Park when I was about 10 years old. This was the “hit new fitness trend”. Watching people I looked up to engage in this intense workout and activity made a HUGE impact on my life. When they started a high school program at Outsiders CrossFit, I knew immediately I would join. The summer going into high school, at 14 years old I started CrossFit. From there I was hooked, it helped me strength train for volleyball and dance and got me in the habit of working out regularly. When you set habits from a young age you fall into a routine, it’s hard to shake. I continued my CrossFit career in Salisbury and eventually got my Level 1 in CrossFit during college and started coaching at Outsiders on summer breaks. I’m not sure of a time when I wasn’t working out every day.
2. What attracted you to working at Outlast?
The combination of desk work and fitness was music to my ears. Corey and Shannon came to me with the opportunity of an administration position and coaching while I was at another job. But I couldn’t pass up this combo. In my role at Outlast, I pretty much do everything except physical therapy. I use my art/creativity, organization, and coaching experience to help Shannon and Corey fill the position they were looking for! The small but mighty team of Outlast also attracted me because I knew I didn’t want any large corporations where I would get lost in the sea of employees. It has been such a smooth transition to this role and I can only thank the team at Outlast along with the patients and members that make every day even better than the last.
3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Seeing the excitement and progress of our members is always something I enjoy. Helping others learn to not only trust their bodies, but push themselves past their comfort zones, is so rewarding. There are many misconceptions about group fitness classes that I hate hearing. So when new people come in and see how they really are at Outlast, warms my heart. I want people to actually ENJOY working out and that's what I get to express through coaching. I watch people gain confidence, strength and motivation more and more every time they come in and that is what I most enjoy.
4. Do you have any advice for someone who is completely new to group fitness classes?
Just show up. It is always intimidating to show up to that first class, but it gets better. Coming from someone who is very introverted it's all about the start. Once you get that initial awkward first class/meeting out of the way you will get in the habit and start feeling more comfortable. Everyone in that class has been in your shoes before, so don’t let someone else’s weight choice or skill level deter you from thinking you're meant to be there. Not only will group fitness help you reach your fitness goals, but it will push you past your comfort zone and get you doing things you never thought you could. You could meet you next best friend in a class, you want to surround yourself with like-minded people and a group fitness class will help you keep those habits up.
5. Do you have any other hobbies or interests you would like to share?
My random hobbies and interests include, dancing, reading, my freelancing art business including painting, drawing, graphic design and any sort of art. I’m always looking for new things to get into on the creative side of things, so I love when people come to me with new ideas that they can’t put into action but I can create it for them. I am also a huge Disney nerd, but I’m not like a crazy Disney adult like most people immediately think of, I’m “normal.” But if you strike up a conversation with me about Disney prepare to have 30 minutes free. I have watched almost every season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise as well as, Dancing with the Stars.
Shannon Hall, PT, DPT
