Shannon Nowak
What brought me to Renegade Fitness?
I have always belonged to a gym, and did strength training on my own or with friends. I think I started in 2012, my friend Megan and I heard about Renegade, and wanted to try it out. I honestly went into it thinking that if this is like an aerobics class, I am out. I also thought, I run and do strength training…I got this. Well, I was put in my place real quick. It was NOT like any other group workouts that I have experienced. I knew being around fitness for most of my adult life that Chris and Jen, were not like any other trainers. They were educated, they cared about each member and wanted to see success for them. I also knew, that I needed this environment to push myself to strength train.
What are you current goals?
Being a runner for over 20 years, my main goal is to stay healthy enough to continue to do what I love the most. I am hoping to someday qualify for the Boston Marathon as well.
What kind of success have you had so far?
I have ran several half marathons, and up until last year I had ran three full marathons. After my marathon in 2010, I swore that I would never do one again. I started going to Renegade in 2012, and continued to run half marathons. As I was cross training at RF, I was getting stronger, and my race times started to improve. I even would make in the top 5 in my age group in some events. In 2018, I thought I am doing ok…I think I will try for another full. Much to my dismay, training pretty much ended as soon as it started. A stress fracture will bring everything to a stop. For once, I listened to my doctors, I rested, rehabbed, and the coaches at RF, modified my workouts so I could get back out there. I look at this as a huge success, I hit a road block, but I knew I had to keep working to get better. It worked… last year I decided I would try again for the Full Marathon. I finished my 4th marathon with a 10 minute PR.
My favorite thing about Renegade Fitness?
This is tough, because I love everything about RF. Renegade is so much more than a gym, it is a community. Jen and Chris have done an amazing job, creating an atmosphere where we are getting a killer workout, and making friends along the way. One of my favorite things, is that you have all skill levels in one class, and the coaches give you different variations for each depending on where you are at. I also like that you are teaching us about balance. I have learned so much about working out and nutrition, and how to balance that in my everyday life.
Who is Shannon?
I am a mom of three daughters, Alexandra-24,Annie-22, and Emily-19 (two doggies Eddie and Zoey) My husband, Doug and I have been married for 26 years. I work at a nonprofit organization, Veterans Matter. I work with people from all over the country to help house homeless veterans. It is a rewarding job, knowing I am part of group that is helping a someone off the streets into a place they can call home. I also volunteer my time at the Toledo Streets Newspaper. Other hobbies (besides working out)….I love reading, spending time at the lake, or an evening out with my friends and family.
