September ‘26 + Alyssa & Scott

We’re back with another monthly newsletter! September is here, bringing a fresh start and a chance to reset as we transition into a new season. Whether you're getting back into a routine after a busy summer or continuing the momentum you've already built, this month is all about focusing on the habits that help you feel your best. Remember, you don’t have to do everything perfectly but small, consistent choices can go a long way! Let’s dive in!

🍂  Monthly Wellness Tip: Try Something New

Sometimes a small change is all it takes to bring new energy into your routine. Try a new recipe, recovery service, workout, or activity that gets you excited to stay consistent. 

📝 Monthly Challenge: Passport to Fitness  

During the month of September, follow the prescribed trip in your passport to get to the final destination! The passport must be completed in order and a coach must initial the bottom before you can move onto the destination. If you previously signed up for this challenge, the passports are located in your folder at the gym. 

💪 Shoutout Time! Feel free tocongratulate your fellow members in person when you see them. 

Mariah Coughlin - Hit the 100 training session milestone last month! 

Amanda Yu, Andrea Kafka, and Eddie Q - All got blackout bingo on the summer bingo challenge!

✨Member Features with Alyssa Bower and Scott Magat

What does your daily training mean to you?

Alyssa- Daily training is a way for me to invest in myself. It’s not about the number on the scale for me. It’s about feeling strong, capable, and confident in what my body can do. I love knowing that I’m taking time to build a body that will allow me to keep doing the things I love for many years to come.  

Scott- To me, daily training is about more than just looking better, it's something I do for myself every day that gives me structure and keeps me accountable. Even on days when I'm not feeling motivated, showing up reminds me that consistency matters more than perfection. I also love knowing that I'm building a body that can actually do things-not just one that looks good in the mirror. 

How do you balance training, nutrition, and recovery?

Alyssa- Balancing training, nutrition, and recovery can be difficult, so I try to maintain habits that make it easier. I get my training done early in the morning before work so I don’t give myself the opportunity to make excuses later in the day. I also heavily prioritize meal prepping with a focus on protein-packed meals. Having my meals ready to go makes my weekdays much more streamlined and helps me stay on track when life gets busy. And lastly, the most important, sleep! I strive to get 7-8 hours a night. 

Scott- My goal is to be consistent for years, not just having a great week. I'm pretty intential about getting enough protein, staying hydrated, and getting my workouts in early so they are a consistent part of my day. At the same time, I've learned that recovery doesn't mean doing nothing-it means knowing when to push and when to back off. I take recovery very seriously and try my best to schedule at least 1 day in the Recovery Room to get a good relaxation on in the hot tub/sauna, and wake myself up in the cold plunge. Honestly, it is sometimes my favorite part of the week. 

Tell us about an adventure you were on where you thought, “man, I’m happy my body performs like this.” 

Alyssa- I recently went to Switzerland for a hiking trip and was so thankful for how strong my body is. I was able to do all the hikes I wanted and show up ready to perform every day. It was one of those trips where I really felt the payoff of all the work I put into training. Being able to experience a beautiful place and not have my fitness limit what I could do was very rewarding.  

Scott-  One that comes to mind was the day getting things set for my Bachelor Party. We spent the day running around Costco getting everything, then drove and went out on lake spending hours outside. It wasn't some crazy expedition, but at one point I remember thinking how tired I should have been knowing all that we did that morning. Nothing was holding me back from having the best weekend with my best friends, and not being too tired or sore to do something crazy. It's not always about how I look, but how I feel, and having the strength and endurance and energy to say yes when something comes up. 

What’s the one metric you keep an eye on that tells you if you’re slacking or not? (Think a particular lift, exercise, run, medical data, vo2, body fat). 

Alyssa- I focus on my key compound lifts and make sure I'm progressing over time. I like this metric because it keeps the focus on my performance and what my body can do, rather than what my body looks like. 

Scott- I'm a big fan of tracking all my Whoop metrics. I love seeing my recovery in the green, and know that's when I need to push it. I know that my sleep score drives that A LOT so I always strive to keep my sleep as consistent as possible, even when I am forcing myself out of bed to make the metro for the 6 AM class. 

Thank you for being part of the Ambitious community! We’re here to help you achieve your fitness goals, whether that's lifting heavier, running longer, or feeling your best every day.