Homemade: Trisha Greenlaw started
consistently training when she was 20. “Prior
to that, I was doing Tae Bo with Billy Blanks
in my living room along with Turbo Jam by
Chalene Johnson,” she says. “I was always
doing some sort of program, but I did most of
my fi tness at home.” However, it was always
a part of her life. Both parents worked out, so
weights were intriguing to Greenlaw. “The
idea of sculpting muscles seemed fascinating.
It made me feel strong, and I wanted to have
big muscles like my dad,” she says.Constant chaos: Greenlaw’s childhood
was fi lled with substance abuse, physical
and verbal abuse, and constant anxiety,
and fi tness was her only escape. “Fitness
seemed like the only place to feel free and
have a sense of control. I would run, ride
my bike, go in our basement to train or just
run around with friends,” she explains. “It
helped clear my mind and calm my nerves,
easing the anxiety and fear I felt.”Positive outcome: After enduring that
rough childhood, she found herself preg-
nant and in an abusive relationship at age- Fitness, again, was her only place of
peace and empowerment. Now, in a healthy
and loving relationship (she met her hus-
band in the gym, naturally!), Greenlaw
hopes to encourage and empower other
women to keep pushing and never give up
no matter their circumstances.
Body and mind: When she was 16, Tanya
Off enburger started working out at the local
YMCA. “My dad inspired me,” she explains.
“He had a routine of lifting weights and play-
ing basketball. Now he’s 63 and does CrossFit
three times a week. My grandfather, now in
his 80s, can still do a pistol squat! I believe my
body and mind are extremely connected, and
it’s apparent in both my dad and grandfather.
It’s truly inspiring.”Constantly varied: Off enburger, who
usually trains in the morning, varies her
workouts. “My training consists of sprints
two to three times a week. The other days,
I’ll rotate between reformer Pilates, Olympic
lifts, HIIT or calisthenics,” she explains. “A
few years ago, I created a class that incorpo-
rates reformer Pilates with kettlebells, lifting
and HIIT. It’s such a good workout! On my
one to two days of rest, I might go for a long
walk or for a bike ride with my husband.”Competitive nature: Although she
enjoys training in a group, Off enburger
prefers to train alone. “When I was going
to a CrossFit gym, I found out that I had
a competitive nature. Being in a group
made me push myself harder,” she says.
“I think it’s contagious to be around those
who have a lifestyle you share. However,
I’ve taken that competitiveness and have
learned to push myself. When I need that
voice to keep pushing, it’s there.”Trisha Greenlaw
Saco, Maine
Stats: 36 • 115 lb • 5’2”
Gig: Health and wellness coachTanya Off enburger
San Antonio
Stats: 36 • 130 lb • 5’7”
Gig: Reformer Pilates instructorNicole Alexander
Chicago
Stats: 44 • 172 lb • 5’10”
Gig: Nurse practitionerBy Maureen FarrarPhoto by Paul Buceta / Photo by Shawn Alexander / Photo by Ralph Kelley
Role models: Although she has worked
out most of her adult life, Nicole Alexander
didn’t do it consistently until about a year ago.
“I became inspired because I gained weight
and I felt fatigued. My health is important,
and I needed to do something about it,”
she explains. She fi nds inspiration in every
woman who takes the time to not only care for
their family and friends but also to take care
of their own mental, spiritual and physical
health. “Loving and caring for ourselves does
not have to be put to the side,” she says.Go fi gure: Alexander is currently training
for a fi gure competition, so she is strength
training six days a week. “I also do fasted
cardio four to fi ve days a week,” she says. “I
do my cardio at 5 a.m., and I weight train
late afternoon.” She generally trains alone
so she can stay more focused. “I need to
manage my time, and this way I can utilize
my entire time just on working out and not
conversing.”Food prep: Although she indulges once
a week (“Lay’s potato chips and chocolate-
covered almonds are my favorite cheat
foods!”), she eats pretty clean the rest of the
time. “I’m terrible at prepping, so I tend to
buy frozen veggies, frozen chicken and beef
strips, and pre-made salads, and I make rice
in bulk and freeze it. Then I can just throw
what I need in containers in the morning
and go,” she says.