Performance Fitness Client Spotlight – Meet John and Kathy

Boot camp wouldn’t be the same without Kathy Walsh and her husband, John Winter. Their enthusiasm in class and the way they embrace the competitive spirit helps them inspire each other and keeps the class energized (and entertained!).

Kathy is a Boot Camp veteran and has spearheaded numerous outdoor adventures and social activities for the class. She inaugurated an annual camping trip, started the tradition of Saturday morning post-boot camp coffee, and every year she and John send the Performance Fitness Food Drive total way over the top with their canned goods donations (hundreds of canned goods!).

When John came into Kathy’s life, she dragged him to class and he has proved to be the perfect partner-in-crime for Kathy. They are part of what makes the PFit community such a great place to be and get fit.

Let’s meet Kathy and John!

 

 

Names: Kathy Walsh and John Winter

Where are you from and how long have you lived in this area?:

John: Southern Indiana. I’ve lived here since 1989.

Kathy: Andover, MA. I’ve lived here for 10 years.

Occupation: 

John: Science teacher at Abington Friends

Kathy: Science teacher. I’m also an entrepreneur. I started an STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education business called YES (Youth Engineering and Science) because I wanted to make STEM education accessible to all children and give leadership experience to the older students who work with us as interns. It was important to me that we bring the programs to the students that we serve instead of requiring them to travel to us.

Children?:

Kathy: Sarah (22), who just graduated from Johns Hopkins this spring and Daniel (19), a student at University of Rochester

John: Benjamin (18), Middlebury College

Hobbies?:

John: gardening, camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, cooking, and making snarky comments at boot camp

Kathy: sports (field hockey and softball), ballet, cycling, camping, hiking, biking, and making snarky comments at boot camp

Sports?:

Kathy: field hockey and softball

John: ultimate Frisbee

Favorite book:

Kathy – The Princess and the Goblin – a childhood favorite. Current favorite – The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

John – A Walk in the Woods

Favorite way to treat yourself:

Kathy: red wine or whiskey

John: gardening

What’s a fun or interesting fact about you that most people don’t know about you?

Kathy: I did some modeling as a high school and college student. I can also ride a unicycle and juggle – at the same time.

John: I was a Peace Corps volunteer and I’m a grandfather (John adopted a child from Kiribati [pronounced ˈkiɾibas] when he was in his 20s).

How long have you been training w/ PFit?

Kathy: A little over 4 years. I started boot camp with Sarah when she was in high school. I recruited John a few years later after she left for college.

John: Over 2 years.

How did you hear about Performance Fitness?:

Kathy: Michelle and I met at an event she was doing at Whole Foods in Wynnewood.

John: I got dragged along because of Kathy.

What would you say is the single biggest reason why you decided to get help with your fitness?

Kathy: So I could continue to play sports and prevent injury as I age. I also don’t want to develop that little old lady look – rounded back and hunched shoulders. I want to look the way I feel (young!). I’ve achieved better living through burpees!

John: Because Kathy told me to. Kathy would talk about boot camp at our faculty meetings and demonstrate the exercises that you guys did at boot camp. She always talked about how hard it all was. I finally decided to give it a try. I thought I was strong because I used to do martial arts and I was a runner, but I felt like I was going to die at the first class!

What fitness and/or weight loss results have you achieved since joining boot camp?:

Kathy: My weight has gone down and I’ve lost inches and decreased my body fat. I’ve gotten stronger and maintained that strength. I also have an improved quality of life.

John: I have a much stronger core. I’ve also gone from being in the Clydesdale division for races. My overall body shape has changed, and I’ve been able to maintain my weight between 194-195 pounds (down from 207).

Coolest side-effect from working out at boot camp?

Kathy: Being able to run faster and do more push-ups than the high school students I teach.

John: Getting to meet a whole community of people at boot camp.

Are you competitive with each other?

Kathy: Only in a road race. I have to beat him!

Best thing about doing boot camp with your spouse:

Kathy: I’d say it’s having someone there to keep me motivated.

John: I wouldn’t get up at that time [5:30am] if I didn’t have someone encouraging me. More spouses should do this together.

What inspires and motivates you? 

Kathy: My fear of looking like a flour sack and my fear of aging and dying too early.

John: I want to be able to continue to do the active outdoor things that I like to do. I also want to be able to hold my own with my 18-year-old son.

How has boot camp/training changed your life?

Kathy: I have found the key to longevity. The work that I’ve done at boot camp makes me feel like I have some control over my life and health.

John: I feel like I have a lot more energy.

And now, my favorite question – bacon or ice cream?

Kathy: Bacon

John: Ice Cream

What are your big goals for the next 3-6 months?:

John:

1. Thrive during our canoeing trip
   

Kathy:

1. Continue to improve my squat and push-up form
2. Continue to be able to fit into my clothes

If someone asks you about Performance Fitness what do you tell them?:

Kathy: It’s absolutely essential! You can’t just expect to stay fit. It’s great to be around like-minded people who are into fitness.

John: It’s the best thing I’ve ever done to improve my lifestyle and energy levels.

If you want energy, strength, and the ability to out run high school students the way John and Kathy do AND to be a part of an amazing community, contact us or call 610-649-4900 to discuss your health and fitness goals.