How a Break-Up Brought Me to Fitness

By Brooke Morton

I never thought a bad breakup would lead me to Fitness.

It was May 2015, and I’d just ended a relationship with another guy who turned out not to be long-term material. I was bummed at first, but that soon gave way to empowered. I was ready to start going after everything I wanted, including finding a guy who truly made me happy. I was reading all sorts of books about becoming the best version of myself, and somewhere along the way, I learned that it helps to always look your best, even when running errands.

The next day, I straightened my hair and wore a skirt to get my morning coffee. With a few minutes of standing in line, the guy behind me started asking me about the Starbucks App on my phone. Now, keep in mind that I’d been reading and focusing so much on dating, so my mind was already primed for that topic. When he started chatting, I assumed he was hitting on me. I thought that this dressing up stuff was really working!

As we were leaving, he gave me his card and told me he owned a gym.

“Wow,” I thought. “This guy really has it together.”

I texted him within the next few days and asked where he wanted to meet up. He said the gym.

And that’s how I ended up walking in the doors Uncanny Fitness. Within minutes, I realized I wasn’t on a date (I’m a quick one!). But I believe everything happens for a reason, so I stayed to discover what I might possibly learn at a box gym.

For years, friends told me I would love Fitness. But I always had reasons, namely the hefty price tag, for saying no. Fitness costs four times what my L.A. Fitness membership had. And I hadn’t been to that gym in a year, so I was hesitant to pay even more for a gym that I might also eventually skip out on.

But, as I listened to Kuang, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the workouts. He had been offering the foundations at a low rate, and so I figured I would at least finish those classes.

After picking up the barbell just a few times, I thought, “I can do this.” I hadn’t been in great shape in a few years, and decided it wouldn’t hurt to invest in myself. I’ve always been active, and I know that the better my body feels, the better I feel mentally and emotionally.

Fast forward to today. I’ve been a member of the gym now for three years. I’ve lost weight and two pant sizes. But more than that, I’ve gained an excitement about working out. These days, I hate it when two days go by and I’m not at the gym. To be honest, I’m still surprised that Fitness has become integral to my life, and that I’m still looking forward to hitting my next goals.

As for my dating life, I met someone outside of the gym, and we’ve been dating for a year and a half. He’s into yoga, not Fitness, but together we share a passion for kayaking

and paddle boarding. This past February, we rowed 200 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. I can’t say I would have been able to keep up and row the rapids if it hadn’t been for all the rowing, wall balls and weightlifting. Uncanny Fitness wasn’t how I found the man of my dreams, but it sure is helping me match pace with him.