Real Stories.
Real Strong Moms.

I’m so damn proud!

During my second pregnancy (at 38 yo) I had major pain/issues and had to stop working out completely. Before that, I was very active – trail running, hiking, working out 5 days a week.I had baby #2 at the beginning of the pandemic/lockdown (March 2020) and struggled getting back into a program. Like so many others, I used the pandemic as a reason to indulge and put on a lot of weight. I was heavier and weaker than I’d ever been.

I went shopping yesterday and I didn’t end up crying! I felt so good about my body, the progress I’ve made, and I am so thankful. All that to say, thank you Ashley and the SLAM community!

In November of last year, I went shopping with a friend for my birthday and nothing fit. I was ashamed and depressed and knew I had to do something about my health. I happened to stumble upon Ashley’s program on Instagram in December and something seemed different about it. I knew I had to try it and I pulled the trigger on the 30 day special she was running for the new year. I am SO GLAD I did, it honestly changed my life.

I completed SLAM30 and I’m on week 3 of SLAM45. I work full-time in a very demanding industry and have to wake up at 3AM to get these workouts in, but it has been 100% worth it. I feel stronger than ever! I’ve coupled the workouts with running/incline walking 3 -5 days a week to help with my long distance running. One thing that I never expected is how much weight training has impacted my running. I feel so much stronger – I can run longer, faster and with more elevation. Today, my health is a stark contrast from 4 months ago.

Not your typical before and after, but I needed to express my appreciation for this program and community. This is my first pregnancy, and I went from training jiu jitsu (brown belt here!) and doing HIIT workouts and Spartan races to basically being completely sidelined due to fatigue and nausea well past the first trimester. My friend told me about SLAM Pregnancy, and the left photo is me after my first workout at 17 weeks saying “there. I did it.” while feeling terrible about myself, my body, and its capabilities. Now I’m 32 weeks and have embraced the pregnancy bulk. I’ve gotten stronger, but more importantly, I’m way more confident and happier! Plus, my abs haven’t split (yet), which I attribute to the mindfulness of the core exercises versus my other activities that are heavy on the “six pack” muscles. Super thankful to have workouts that make me feel empowered and strong instead of like an awkward beach ball!

I actually delivered my baby early on 4/19 and did SLAM Pregnancy all the way until the day I went into labor (39w2d). It ended in an unplanned c-section (the cord was wrapped around his neck and his heart couldn’t tolerate contractions). I credit SLAM with my recovery so far. I was out of bed and walking hours early and got discharged a day early, with a lot of the staff remarking that I didn’t look or act like I just had surgery. (I got that comment at my first postpartum visit, too.) Still a lot of internal healing to go, but I’m glad I got a jump start on things.

In July 2021 I was told by someone very close to me that I was “fat and unhealthy and going to ruin my kids’ lives because of my weight” so the next week I started going to therapy. With the support of therapy and my doctor I started focusing on me as a whole person. Yes, I knew I needed to lose weight cause I have an autoimmune disease that affects my joints. I’d been doing GMS for two years at that point but wasn’t seeing results. With therapy I was able to let a lot of my past trauma go and focus on me. Since the first picture I have lost almost 50 lbs but what I gained is so much more. I gained confidence in myself, my smile back, strength, and a role model for my daughter.

The thing is, the number on the scale (weighed by doctor) doesn’t affect me anymore, it doesn’t set the tone for my day or my worth as a human. Being able to carry both of my kids or chase them all over matters more to me. With the help of this program I’ve learned to love myself. I was an athlete most of my life and never had muscles and now I do!! I’ve done 2 rounds of SLAM Bridge and 2 rounds of SLAM30. When I started the first round of SLAM30 I couldn’t do a step up but at the end of round 2 I was able to do them the whole time.
I wish I could put into words what this program has really done for me. It’s changed my life in so many ways and has given me courage to do things I never thought possible!