Category: Community

I took my first class at Shred415 Deerfield the day they opened. It seemed like the perfect workout for me—a mix of running, cardio, and of course, amazing music. Prior to that, I’d tried every type of fitness studio under the sun, but in every case, I’d eventually burn out and move on. But one year later, Shred415 is still my go-to workout and favorite place to be.

Shred is not just a kick-ass workout, it’s also a community. From the moment you walk in, the staff is warm and invested in you, and you feel like you’re a part of something special. Every single instructor is a badass, too. During class, they pump you up and keep you motivated, and you can tell they truly want you to succeed and have the best workout. Before you know it, class is over, and you leave feeling stronger and amazing.

So, what’s this have to do with my story? On June 14, I was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer and tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene. I was in shock, lost, upset, and feeling down, but I attended class anyway. And just taking class that day lifted my spirits and made me feel so much better. I’d be starting aggressive treatment soon, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep going to class regularly. I’m happy to say that I’ve pushed myself and I’m still going. I’m getting stronger and kicking cancer’s ass!

I’m so thankful for Shred415, my instructors, and everyone in class—they’ve pushed me and helped me through this. People come up to me all the time and say, “I can’t believe you’re still going to class!” I tell them cancer has nothing on me, and if I can still Shred, so can you! I also tell them it’s okay to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone.  Go at your own pace and do what you can.

Thank you so much, Shred, for being there for me during this journey and helping me through the good days and bad days. We are getting stronger together!

– Beth Levy, Deerfield Shredder

By Derick Garcia, Chicago Instructor

1. I lived behind the Lincoln Park front desk before becoming an instructor.
2. I’m Canadian and Guatemalan. Born and raised in Chicago.
3. Every day I make decisions thinking, “What would Kanye do?”
4. If pizza was a girl, I’d be married.
5. Kim Kardashian liked one of my Instagram photos. Don’t believe me? I’ll @ you.

By Sara Rzepkowski, Chicago Instructor

1. I love to travel! I’ve been to 15 countries and try to see at least one to two new places each year.
2. I’m obsessed with my boxer pup, Louie. He’s 85 pounds, but thinks he’s a tiny lap dog!
3. I love sushi.
4. My favorite concert ever was seeing OAR in Charleston, SC last year on my birthday!
5. I was Shredder of the Month in October 2016.

By Makiah Scott, South Loop Manager & Instructor

1. I’ve been vegetarian for 13 years.
2. I can eat an entire cheese pizza without hesitation.
3. I have a minor obsession with Gabrielle Union.
4. I was a bowler for 15 years.
5. The only thing I genuinely hate in life is traffic… but, I mean, who likes traffic?

By Brittany Reamer, Chicago Instructor

1. I love eggs! I could eat them for every meal, every day.
2. My high school sweetheart and I got married in Jurassic Park. Yes, that Jurassic Park.
3. I earned my undergraduate degree at Ohio State and am a huge Buckeye fan!
4. My mom is my best friend.
5. There’s nothing I find more exhilarating or rewarding than teaching a Shred415 class!

By Lauren Edmonds, North Shore Instructor

It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite Shred415 moment because I’m constantly in awe of the Shredders who take my classes and those I take class with. If I had to pick one it would be from June 2013. One of our long time Shredders, Emily Baby, and I had been talking about how I knew she could beat her mile challenge time by a landslide.

She was scared to say she could and didn’t know how to run it without burning out. I had seen this spitfire of a woman kick ass in class for over a year and I knew she was capable of her best and then some. In Tracy’s class, I got on a treadmill next to Emily and we went step for step, minute for minute on that treadmill. She hit a new personal record and I was so proud to be able to root her on.

Shred415 has the ability to create once-in-a-lifetime moments, where we break down barriers we never dreamed of. I’ll never forget Emily’s moment.

By Jule Rouse, Hinsdale Instructor

Asking for my greatest Shred415 memory is like asking who my favorite child is. I can’t do it. Shred415 is like the world’s greatest all-you-can-eat buffet. Whatever you need, Shred is going to give it to you. It nourishes the body, the soul, and the mind. There are a handful of moments that come to mind:

The woman who used to stop every 15 minutes to take a glucose tablet. I see her now six months later, and she only stops once during class to take a tablet. That’s life changing. The mom who walks in with her three kids and her eyes look like she might start crying. Sixty minutes later, she has a new perspective and that sweaty glow.

Business men and women on the phone, voices strained with stress. Five minutes into class and you can see their shoulders relax and the tension in their bodies melt.

A man whose child just had his sixth brain surgery shows up and gets his fill of nourishment from the other 29 people in class who just ran their butts off for his little guy. The list goes on and on.

It’s not just about biceps popping and waists shrinking—that’s the icing on the cake. It’s about opening up your soul to the possibility of “what if” and the energy of all those other people who are almost whispering in your ear, “Yes you can!”

All-you-can-eat buffets get a bad rap; you just have to pick the right one. Or better yet, come to mine.