Testimonials

I joined FFOTB shortly after I was laid-off from my job so let’s just say I had an abundance of time on my hands.

I had never considered myself an athlete and in fact I was not a big fan of working out.

Fast-forward to today…

I now consider myself an athlete

I am more competitive than I thought

I actually enjoy working out!

I am proud of myself when I complete a really hard workout

I have a new community of friends who inspire, challenge and hold me accountable

I am so thankful to be a part of the FFOTB community

You both are amazing coaches, that goes without saying, but you are also great teachers of fitness & nutrition who lead by example. FFOTB has been a game-changer for me and for that I thank you!

–Nikki Pounds

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“I had such a great time and cannot wait to participate regularly when I move down there. Although I have been running regularly and doing the same cross training for a while, this was the first workout in a long time where I really felt pushed. Being sore for days afterwards was a great feeling because I knew I had really gotten something out of it.

The group as a whole was super fun and encouraging. Logan and Danny were very helpful, as I had never used kettlebells or done some of the other movements before. I love that you post the workouts on your blog – which is also fun to read – so that I can keep up while I’m gone.

So, thank you for such a great time! Even though it might sound dumb, it has really opened my eyes to a whole new type of workout and lifestyle that I really want to continue with.” –Laura Kruberg

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“I attended FFOTB not knowing exactly what would be in store as it was my first training of this type. I typically practice intensive yoga and run, but this training gave me an entirely different workout. I connected with many different muscle groups I wasn’t reaching with my current routine. It was a very challenging workout but the time flew by with changing drills and lots of laughs. The results were immediate, my thighs and arms felt tighter. I attended the day before Thanksgiving and I was so grateful I had that workout to kick off the weekend. I will definitely integrate FFOTB into my routine.”–Robyn Tosick

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“The one word that comes to mind when thinking of FFOTB is “community.” Community is an elusive thing in a big busy town like L A. It can and does happen but not often.

The elements that combine to foster the notion of community are several. The first is the personal interaction with yourself (and Danny) that we all have every time we fall-out for another round of PT. The interaction we have amongst ourselves is also important. Both of these things help us feel like we genuinely get something out of our time and effort as well as give something back.

It is this interaction that is critical. Quite often the overall attitude and disposition of a group is manifested from the top down. Leadership is vital and sets the tone and trajectory. In this regard you have done a fine job. For example, the other morning when Danny was down, there was not a single one of us that did not respond immediately and with great concern. The location is also a factor. Our workouts take place outside of the usual gym/studio/home context in, quite frankly, a breathtaking location. And, there is nothing quite like shared pain and misery (yes at times it hurts and it feels miserable) to engender camaraderie and, consequently, community. The daily website commentary is also of great benefit if only for the fact that it demonstrates extra effort and concern on your part. Don’t think for a moment that does not have an impact on how participants feel and perform.I am relatively new to FFOTB and as of now have not observed or experienced any negatives. However, have derived tremendous benefit that I can feel both physically and mentally. We show up, we work hard, we joke, we rattle, we roll. What’s not to like?”–Andrew Jayne

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“This is the time of year wherein we are all reminded to be thankful, to give graciously and to celebrate life, joy, and peace. As I sit (with perfect posture of course) at my desk figuring out who and how to give thanks to this year, it occurs to me that I have never in my life been more thankful for anything more than I am for FFOTB.

Three years ago, I was rushed into emergency spine surgery because I couldn’t sit, stand, walk or drive, let alone train. I was told that I have a degenerative disc disorder, that I would have chronic lifetime pain and that the surgery that I did have was simply step one in a three-step surgery involving disc replacing, fusing and a mechanical cage. Four “second” opinions later, I was assured there was no non-surgical intervention option. I was afraid to have surgery what with all of the horror stories I read. Even if 100% successful, the best case after-surgery scenario was to relieve my pain by 60% and once all of the hardware settled, I would have restricted mobility for the rest of my life.

I decided that unless and until I was rendered immobile, I wouldn’t have surgery. For over 2 years, I went to physical therapy and acupuncture, eventually added back pilates and took up spinning. No matter what I did, I wound up in pain and with a shoulder injury!

I found that the only fitness I could participate in sustained my injuries, compounded my pain and bored me to death. I hired a personal trainer to work on stabilizing my shoulder. Every time I left him, I went to physical therapy and came back all wrapped up with kinesiology tape and every time he saw the tape, he scaled me back and said I couldn’t do any more. As I was lifting 5lb max dumbbells down the bluff, I watched your gym without walls with great envy. It looked weird and scary and impossible but always sounded like so much fun. My trainer kept saying quit dreaming when he saw me watching your student body. “Just what you need Melanie is to be 1. running, 2. with a medicine ball over your head or 3. swinging a kettle bell.”

As it turns out, he was right, FFOTB is EXACTLY what I needed. I came to you guys all taped up and said I was between spine surgeries, had a shoulder injury and that I could NEVER take your class, although it looked like great fun. You told me NEVER say NEVER and that you were a functional fitness class suited and scaled if necessary to all levels and students. I was super determined to prove you wrong; as it turns out, you proved me not only wrong but strong. Class up to 6 days a week and no more physical therapy, no more back or shoulder pain.

Above and beyond coaching my broken body back to health, a state that was supposedly physically illusive for me, FFOTB enriches my mind and my heart daily and ridiculously exponentially. Every time I read a blog I swear it was directed right at me until I get to class and realize everyone else thought the same exact thing. Universally applicable and priceless brilliance, motivation, inspiration, guidance, sentiment and hilarity outside the classroom and inside the outside gym. An entire community (dare I say Nation?)of support, laughter, friendship and social networking.

I love life without pain, I love our community for getting me there. I love the challenge, the competition, the dancing, the joking and every awesome practice of the day and I super love that strong is the new skinny! Your passion and commitment to me is beyond functional, it is phenomenal. Your school is more than fitness, it is wellness.

With all of my heart and heartfelt thanks,

Melanie, FFOTB Athlete

(Note: my name and “athlete” used almost legit in the same sentence for the first time since ‘72!)”

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