SHAYNA SAUNDERS
As a native New Yorker and former Boston / San Francisco resident, Shayna knows the value of finding community wherever she lives. Now back on her home turf, you can find her in the gym or attempting new hobbies such as beach volleyball and bouldering. When she's not training or socializing with mates from The Athletic Clubs, she runs growth at a software company as well as a cheeky side project or two.
Hometown
LONG ISLAND/
NEW YORK
Based in
NEW YORK/
NEW YORK
Strength training and APS has impacted every area of my life by showing me that I’m more capable than I give myself credit for.
ABOUT SHAYNA
Fun Fact: Was a clown in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Coffee order: Half-caff iced americano with oat milk​
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Ergometer of Choice: Ski
THE NUMBERS
APS athletes undergo strength and conditioning testing in five key areas every 12 weeks. Testing data is used to quantify strength and conditioning adaptations and inform new training targets.
Week 12
Week 24
Week 0
Back Squat
(lb)
145
165
175
Deadlift
(lb)
175
205
225
Benchpress
(lb)
85
95
100
Weighted Pull Up
(lb)
2
12
20
Ski Ergometer
(m/6 min)
-
1281
1309
IN CONVERSATION
M: WHEN DID YOU START APS?
S:
I started APS almost a year ago as part of the beta program after I expressed interest in barbell strength training to one of the coaches. It's really important to me to find like minded people and be part of a fitness community wherever I go – I was part of a community out in San Francisco and in Boston.
M: WHAT BENEFIT OF STRENGTH TRAINING IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
S:
Confidence, and being really comfortable in my body. Not just what it looks like, but what it's capable of, how it supports me. I’ve become stronger and more disciplined over time, but there is also a huge mental benefit. Strength training and APS has impacted every area of my life by showing me that I’m more capable than I give myself credit for.
M: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF APS?
S
I walked in and I knew I was going to love it. The minute I met Jesse – his energy, his approach to coaching – I knew I was going to fall in love with the program. We did a lot of traditional strength movements that I love: deadlifts, squats, and pull ups.
But my first thought was, “Whoa, I don't know if I can do some of this. There's no way I'm capable.”
I actually put off the six-minute row test for about three weeks, and Jesse was very patient. He talked me through why we test, how we test, the importance of it, but mainly that I was capable of it, that I can do this. So at first I was a little, you know, intimidated, but he was right – I was capable of it.
M: WHY DO YOU TRAIN?
S:
I train because there's no better feeling than leaving a good workout, right? You feel really accomplished. I'm in a better mood than when I came in.
I train because I want to live an active lifestyle for the rest of my life. So strength training, mobility, working on form, all of that is going to enable my long term goal of being active.
I train because it makes me feel really capable. I think I was underestimated a lot due to my size, but when I walk into the gym now, I know that I can do anything with the support of Jesse and the other APS members.
M: WHO ARE YOU OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
S:
I'm just myself but with lipstick wearing collared heels. Very similar to who I am inside the gym. I'm always for better or worse, unapologetically myself. I'm silly, energetic, outspoken, but also really focused and goal oriented and very intentional with my choices.
M: YOU JUST RACED YOUR FIRST HYROX - HOW WAS THAT?
S:
I signed up blindly, not knowing what it was, and all of a sudden I was running 10Ks every Saturday with Stone 2 Stone, training, not drinking, focusing on increasing my protein intake.
I trained really, really hard for it and was really proud of the outcome. I guess I'm a runner now – I just signed up for the Hampton Half Marathon and am on the waitlist for Chicago Hyrox this fall.
M: WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO COFFEE SHOP?
S:
Wherever we're going after Brunch Burn, I’m not particular.
M: WHAT'S A TYPICAL NIGHT OUT IN NEW YORK CITY FOR YOU?
S:
I'm a huge pregame girl. I like hosting and having people over my house. I think the art of getting together before going out has been lost. I love getting the energy high and then later in the night you can find me on the dance floor somewhere.
M: WHAT SONG ARE YOU JAMMING TO AT THE MOMENT?
S:
Chemicals or Stumblin' In.
M: WHAT'S YOUR NEXT FITNESS GOAL?
S:
To keep challenging myself and keep raising the bar for what I expect of myself. I keep surprising myself with what I'm capable of and I want to get to a point of, instead of saying “Wow, I can't believe I did that,” I say, “Wow, I knew I could do it and I absolutely crushed it.”
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