Last week, I had every intention of writing a FAQ page for the Forever in Progress Training Club…and then my husband and daughter caught a cold. At the same time.

So while I somehow pulled together 3600 words, wiped snot, and kept the house from imploding while my husband somehow landed a new client while hacking up a lung, I also wondered if what people really need is yet another community.

Because how many times have I gotten invited to a Slack group and muted my notifications?

How many times have I read a text or WhatsApp message and neglected to reply?

How many emails are in my inbox right now? (15 last week, and now it’s down to 3—thank god.)

And if I’m being completely honest…

How many times in my life have I genuinely enjoyed the experience of working out alongside others?

It’s why after years of tolerating mediocre equipment at our local Planet Fitness, my husband built a home gym in our basement…and good thing, because neither of us wants to end up in the background of a TikTok video 😱

It’s why after years of believing the hype around workout partners and accountability, I now work out alone, meaning I set up the gym the way I want to—with the heater on full blast and syrupy EuroPop blasting in my AirPods.

And considering I have sold clothes to women who were crying in the fitting rooms and went through my own existential crisis last week over a white t-shirt, it’s safe to say that If I given the same offer two years ago, I’d probably be thinking :

I don’t want to talk about my body.

Or feel guilty about what I’m eating or doing.

In fact, all I want to do is sit on the couch and scroll on my phone for fifteen uninterrupted minutes before my kid asks me for help—let alone torture myself for an hour in the gym.

In other words, if you’re already overwhelmed by existence, then the last thing you need is someone inviting you to do yet another thing.

Because there’s going to be a lot of shiny objects you encounter in your life. Classes and coaching programs and memberships that promise you the life you’ve always dreamed…

When we’ve already confirmed that confidence is earned through persistence, not purchase.

So if joining the membership feels like the hardest part of the journey, don’t bother. This has to feel right and if there's something deep in your gut saying otherwise, please do yourself a favor and listen.

But if restarting a workout regimen is on your “someday when I’m not destroyed” list and you’re ready to commit to hard work, read on for my crappy excuse of a FAQ page, because I was the only functioning adult in my house last week.

🤔 Sooo…what exactly do I get if I join?

You’re getting virtual personal training for $15/month from my friend JD—a certified strength and conditioning coach with a no-BS approach.

All workouts are delivered through the Volt Athletics app, and there’s everything from:

“I’m stuck at a hotel with a Peloton bike, some random free weights, and TRX bands”

to

“I’m in my living room with a pair of 12 lb. dumbbells and a yoga mat.”

If you’re already panicking about the logistics, don’t overthink it—just focus making the commitment and building the habit.

🔄 What if I don’t like any of the workout programs—or want to switch partway?

We’re only planning to release the programs I’m using. But my husband showed me his account the other day, and there were dozens of programs I had never seen, probably because JD didn’t want to scare me off.

Basically, you will not get bored unless…

🏋️‍♀️ What if I don’t want to barbell train?

Sign up for a Pilates app instead. Or hip hop or pole dancing or whatever your IG algorithm is feeding you…but with a caveat.

I’m a sample size of one, but have found that the things that make me the most uncomfortable are the ones worth pursuing.

Lifting heavy things was an immense shock to my yogi green-juice loving self, and honestly? It’s produced more tangible results in two years than yoga has in ten.

⏰ What if I get slammed with work / kids / laundry and skip a few workouts?

So ditch the workout. I skipped five days last week, because I was prepping for a photoshoot and dealing with my clingy child. JD didn’t even notice. He’s got his own family and life and goals to handle—he’s going to treat you like an adult who knows when to push and when to rest.

🎒 Do I need fancy equipment or a gym membership?

If you’re ready to move beyond bodyweight exercises, yes. 70% of JD’s clientele works out at a gym—apparently it’s not the norm to build a home gym and avoid interacting with people 👀

🙅‍♀️ Do I have to join the WhatsApp group?

No. You don’t have to talk to me, or anyone, about your body unless you feel it would be helpful on your journey.

That said, I’ll be around if you want to talk about protein powder recs or the best leggings for lifting.

Get the details here to join—or delete this email and move on with your life.

I wholeheartedly support either action, because life is too short to do something just because someone told you to.

Talk soon,

Sophia :)