About the Fit Gal Facilitators!

-Meet Mindy-

Mindy Irish had four kids and one miscarriage in six years time.  At the birth of her last baby, she found herself 100 pounds heavier than she was in high school.  Her mindset during her pregnancies was, "Eat what you want now and worry about it later."  When later showed up, she was depressed, overwhelmed, at rock bottom,  and knew she had no where to go but up! 

Her journey to get herself back started in October 2009 using many tools such as Weight Watchers®, Team Beachbody, Shakeology®, Body-For-Life, and now Fighter Diet.  With daily strength or cardio workouts, and her water bottle in tow, she started the Fit Gal Club to motivate others on their journey as she progressed on hers!  The club entails this blog, a Facebook page (click here!), fitness friends and mentors, and periodic online challenges for others on their journey.  Mindy holds a degree in Physical Education from Indiana University and a background as a competitive swimmer, runner, and coach in her younger years. 

As of August 2012, she hit a long-time goal of 95 pounds weight loss 34 months after the birth of her fourth child! She's since gained 8 lbs of muscle and dropped her body fat from 21% to 15.1% since an initial measurement in June 2012.  She now lives a healthy, balanced lifestyle, where "diet" is considered a bad four letter word.  Her favorite lines from class instructors, motivational pictures, ongoing 12-week community challenges, and all things fitness fill the pages of the Club.  It's her way of giving back of what she says, "When you've found gold, you just have to tell others about it!"  She invited her friend and fitness pal, Shannon, to join in helping run the Club and they're having a ball keeping others keeping on!  


 
Mindy's long-time goal has been to train for and compete in Figure Competitions with the NPC.  Under council of her trainer Jackie at the Fishers Y, she's working towards that goal and plans to start competing in the spring of 2013.

Nothing happens in an instant.  When you follow a plan, stay consistent, and keep it changing when your body figures you out, you will see progress.

Pictures to the left:

Left: April 2010
Right: April 2012

Left: October 2009
Right: Easter Sunday, April 2012
Muscle is made for dresses!

Why do I show these pictures?  None of this happened overnight.  It.takes.time and tons of effort!  If I'm going to run a blog and Facebook page motivating fitness and a clean diet, then I better have something positive to show for it to motivate others on!  This whole process keeps me accountable to walk my talk.  Push on, Fit Friends.  I believe in you!

-In the Press!-

As a way to motivate others in all walks of life, she submitted her story to the Indy-area fitness publication activelife Guide.  Good news!  She was the featured "Success Story" in the January 2012 edition and you can read her story in that publication Here! 

She is also the featured "Real Mom" in a 2-page article with a local Indy magazine called "Hamilton County Family" in their March/April 2012 issue!  Read that article Here! 

Additionally, Mindy is now writing an ongoing column for them with a focus on life purpose and calling, getting organized with to-do lists and time management, and fitness motivation!  Overall, it's a column on how to live the biggest life possible that we were each called to live!  Read Mindy's first column Here and her weekly online column Here at hamiltoncountyfamily.com.

Formerly a Team Beachbody Coach, Mindy also was the Team Beachbody February 2012 Shakeology Transformation winner of the month!  Hundreds of applicants submitted their story and Mindy was chosen the winner, earning the cash prize of $1000!  
Read Mindy's Team Beachbody Story Here!

And from this point forward, she now considers herself a Fit Mom of Four......Live Big!

Email Mindy Here!

-Meet Shannon!-

 Shannon started her weight loss journey back in February of 2007. She had been on a medication that caused her to gain 50 lbs in six months and she struggled with that weight for over a year.  A co-worker invited her to attend a Weight Watchers meeting and she was able to lose almost all the weight.  Then she found out she was pregnant with her first son. After having her first son in March of 2008, she immediately returned to Weight Watchers and reached the exact same weight and found out she was pregnant again with her second son.  After he was born in May of 2009, she again returned to Weight Watchers and achieved her weight loss goal by December 2009.  She began working for Weight Watchers in January of 2010 after her 58-pound weight loss.

Shannon’s weight loss and weight maintenance can be accredited to the accountability of Weight Watchers, her daily Shakeology®, regular exercise that includes a mix of both cardio and strength routines, and Body-For-Life.  She now lives a life of balance with a strong focus on overall wellness – physical, mental and spiritual.  She is energized and inspired by all of the incredible people in her life.  She is always reminded the importance of being your best self so that you can serve others.  When Mindy asked her to help out with Fit Gal Club, she jumped at the chance to share her passion for wellness!

In addition to Weight Watchers and being a mother of two young boys, Shannon is attending Butler University for her Masters in School Counseling.  She took some exercise science and nutrition classes during her undergrad at Hanover College and she worked for a short time as a YMCA Wellness Coach during that time.  Shannon is excited to share her knowledge and passion for all things health and fitness!

Email Shannon Here!