I started at Squeeze earlier this year wanting to drop a few pounds before going to Mexico over spring break and didn’t realize I would be taking back my life. Since having kids I have struggled with my weight. My life was a yo-yo and it revolved around my weight. I have done every diet out there… Always losing weight, only to gain it back. I decided I had to try and take on an attitude of a bigger picture rather than the quick fix.

I was nervous starting at Squeeze but quickly discovered it was different from your typical gym. The trainers are amazing. When I first started I didn’t think I could do it but because of them I turned “I cannot” into “I can”. When someone believes in you the way they do, you start believing in yourself. The workouts are specific and targeted to what your body will respond to with positive results. By the third week, I started to feel and see a difference. I have increased my cardio abilities, lifted weights I never thought possible and improved my balance. The wide variety of exercises available for the many different styles of workouts I need is what keeps me coming back. I have a ton of energy and feel great!

Weight lifting and cardio is only a small part of my training at Squeeze. The trainer’s knowledge and understanding of what their client’s need from them is indispensable. They have kept me going by keeping me focused and excited. If I had to say one word to sum up Squeeze it would be “real”. They understand that people who seek personal trainers don’t just need to “workout” we need someone who can help us to help ourselves. They are definitely a “get it handled” type of trainers who will lay it on the line in whatever terms you need to get motivated. With the help from Squeeze I have developed a workout plan & eating plan I can live with. I truly believe the key to my success was the incredible support I had.

I can’t begin to tell you what a difference Squeeze has had on my life and my attitude towards fitness. I have been able to get closer to achieving my goals but have already achieved my ultimate goal of gaining a healthier life. I have a lot more work to do but now know that I can do it because of the great support I have in my life. I can’t thank you enough for your dedication to my achieving success.

Roxy ready to permanently transform her body!

There have been very few times when I can honestly say something or someone has changed my life.  Squeeze Studio Fitness has done that for me and more.

3 months after joining Squeeze ready for medical school!

As a former cubicle-dweller and current graduate student, spending time behind a desk or on a couch, eating take-out and drinking beers every day had become the norm.  Also, I could no longer rely on high school sports or the metabolism of my college days to counteract all of my less-than-healthy habits.  Naturally, I gained fat and lost muscle mass steadily, reaching an overweight BMI range and feeling lethargic, moody and unconfident. 

I especially didn’t enjoy spending so much time finding something to wear that still fit my body!Following several stints at other gyms and failed attempts at workout plans on my own, it was finally time to pull the trigger. I faced my fears, called Shannon and went in for my first consultation.  She measured me (I covered my eyes), had me do a fit test (I gasped for air) and signed me up for the next 6:00AM group training class (Yikes!).

After struggling through the first week of the most challenging and most intense workouts I have ever done, I was hooked. I didn’t think it was possible, but I had the “Squeeze addiction.”  All of the trainers were so supportive and positive and the people I worked out with came from all walks of life and with all different levels of fitness - motivating me to work even harder.

I began coming to Squeeze for classes 3-6 days a week and cleaned up my diet according to Shannon’s suggestions, feeling stronger with every session and more positive after each week.  After only 3 months, I lost 6 pounds, over 6 total inches and 5% body fat!  Since then, my endurance has skyrocketed, I sleep better, my muscles are even stronger and my body is more toned and flexible than it has ever been.  Most importantly, I feel happy and confident every day – ready to take on the world! 

My friends and family noticed the drastic change in me immediately, so much so that my boyfriend Mike joined the group training himself and has seen amazing progress in his cardiovascular and muscle fitness.  It’s incredible to be able to improve ourselves as a couple and to share an important part of our lives with each other – our health. 

Mike (Roxy's boyfriend) saw her results and jumped on board!

Now we get to do hardcore workouts and drip with sweat together!I cannot say enough how unique Squeeze Studio Fitness is.  Because classes are offered all times of the day, we can maintain a consistent workout schedule and keep making gains.  We are always encouraged to do our best, to push ourselves beyond what we thought we could do, to make everything count – and we do it, because we actually want to!

Shannon Carney - Her intense, “don’t quit” training sessions are what made me keep coming to Squeeze in the first place.  You’ll never figure out how she fits so much into one hour. Two words: Booty Bootcamp aka ASS CLASS (Monday’s at 6:30 p.m.) – your butt will thank you.

David Tekiela - Seriously? It’s all about the guns, baby. He challenges you to lift heavier and swing higher. His Kettlebell Bootcamp will make you feel like a weekend warrior, no matter who you are.

Kelly Hendrix - Her cerebral, focused workouts will keep you and your muscles guessing, since she is the queen of muscle isolation.  Her CORECamp is super-fun and works your whole body before you even know it!

Not only are each one of the trainers extremely professional, personable, brilliant and hilarious but they have also become our friends. Working to face and overcome what we thought were our limits and weaknesses as well as to celebrate our successes so personally every day that we are there have made them a lasting part of our lives.

They are, in short, THE BEST at what they do.

They have changed our bodies and attitudes so much that we are different, better people today.  As Mike and I go on to medical school, we will be positive role models for our peers and patients and help them make the same healthy lifestyle choices we have.

Thank you Squeeze! 
Clients for life, the Future Dr. Racquel (AKA Roxy) & Mike

Vicki reaching her goal weight after joining Squeeze!

Vicki Before wanting to drop 30 pounds

My journey to my current weight and fitness level has been slow and steady over a three-year period.  As I was entering my mid-fifties, I took some time to ponder what I wanted for my approaching “later life.”  One goal was to attain a balanced work/life situation and also to finally attain a weight and activity level that had eluded me for years. 

I didn’t want my older years to align with the stereotypes of failing life, energy, and mobility. So, I took stock of my resources, committed my goals and desires to paper, and began to work my plan.  A corner stone of the plan was preserving and improving my health.  I rejoined Weight Watchers (was “lifetime” but not at goal) and began earnestly to pursue activity.  Walking, aerobics, and tap dance lessons were my delight, and very slowly I lost about 17.2 pounds.

Finally, I arrived in the Milwaukee area in December 2009, semi-retired and wanting to commit even more to fitness and reaching my final goal of 30.2 pounds.
I was blessed to meet Shannon and Kelly at a Women’s Conference held in January 2010 by WTCC.  I was so impressed with Shannon’s energy and enthusiasm, I decided to take her up on an offer extended to conference goers for a trial membership and a nutrition consultation with her.  So on February 13, 2010 I started in earnest.                                               

I attended group classes and was blown away and energized by the challenge, rigor, and encouragement I found at SQUEEZE (kettle bells??? me doing push-ups???).  So over the last four months, I added group and Zumba sessions (yeah, Kelly!), as well as walking, more movement (Swing dance lessons and dances), and applying Shannon’s nutritional advice along with my Weight Watcher’s plan.  And behold—–it’s a whole new me!!!!!                                                                           

Vicki before wearing baggy clothes

The last 13 pounds and amazing 11.7% body fat loss moved me from being in a “poor” zone for my age to being “excellent” and being at a proper weight for the first time in over 20 years.

It has inspired me to continue pushing into new territories for fitness, strength, and flexibility with SQUEEZE.

Thank you for coming into my life Shannon and Kelly.

Forever grateful, Victoria

Holly Before wedding nearing 30% body fat!

Holly beaming on her wedding day after losing 10% body fat!

2 weeks later I took advantage of a free week at Squeeze to make sure I liked it and I’ve been working out 2-3 times per week ever since. After my very first session during a noon-hour workout with Shannon – I could only stay for a half hour – I immediately called my fiancé and proclaimed that it was THE HARDEST WORKOUT I had ever done in my life! (I also had never sweat so much in my life!) I was pumped! One of my favorite things continues to be how the trainers keep everything fresh by introducing new moves at almost every workout, it’s AWESOME! I never get bored and neither do my muscles!
Around December, I knew I was getting stronger through the workouts, but I wasn’t losing the weight like I wanted to. When I was younger, I could workout at a quarter of the intensity and lose weight. Apparently, I couldn’t rely on workouts alone at 30 years old. My eating patterns had to change (and I LOVE to eat – especially things like cake and Kopps Frozen Custard!). Once again, Shannon came to the rescue with the 24 Day Challenge! I signed up and stuck to it and lost 10 pounds, 9 inches and 4.5% body fat during that time. For the past two years, I haven’t been able to fit into most of my pants and the 2 pair that I could fit into were pretty snug. After doing the 24 Day Challenge, I could comfortably fit into those formerly snug pants with a little room to spare! I’ve been sticking pretty close to the plan since then, and adding in more cardio with Core Camp on Thurs mornings, and in April I was able to fit into 2 more pants and 2 pair of jeans!
Not only that, but I didn’t feel like a cow in my wedding dress anymore (or in the bikinis that I bought to wear in Mexico)! I purposely bought the dress one size smaller because I KNEW I would get there and I did! I felt great and was happy with what I saw in the mirror. I still have about 10 more pounds and 3% body fat to lose to reach my optimal goal, but I have come really far in my journey since starting.
This is the FIRST time in my whole life that I have consistently stuck with a workout program for more than 3 months! It’s because I feel like I belong to a group, will be held accountable and I KNOW I’m getting the best workout because they are all trainer-run workouts! Where else can you get that? For my three AWESOME trainers – Shannon, David and Kelly – thank YOU for all you do and helping me do more than I thought I could! And Kelly, thanks for Core Camp on Thursday mornings at 6am and showing me that cardio can be fun! (I typically hate cardio!)
And to all my morning workout buddies, see you at 6am!

Forever a client, Mrs. Holly Baer…..yay!

Kathy lost 18 lbs. and 7.2% body fat!

Shortly after, I was getting a massage at Potisk Chiropractic and heard noise from Squeeze which was directly below, and asked what was going on down there. Jenny (the massage therapist) told me about the classes. I finally got the courage to check it out and made an appointment with Shannon. After talking to her, I immediately joined the Squeeze group training program. At first I thought, “What did I get myself into?” Seeing all these young people coming out of a bootcamp, exhausted and dripping with sweat, I figured I was DOOMED! My first obstacle was to jump on the box. My trainer told me to jump on the box and I told him I couldn’t do that, he insisted I could and after going back and forth about this 2 or 3 times, I was jumping on the box, again and again. I love the box now!

I quickly became one of the people I saw leaving the gym dripping with sweat and exhausted. I became more comfortable with each trainer and enjoyed coming to class. I love all the different workouts each trainer has to offer, and even though I sass back sometimes I still love everyone at Squeeze. They make it FUN!

I finally found what I was looking for. Squeeze has taught me more that I could have ever imagined about both exercising AND nutrition. I not only gained the knowledge of what I needed to do and how to do it, I gained the confidence to tackle it all. I now live a well rounded healthy lifestyle, with proper nutrition and a consistently changing workout regimen. No matter where life may take me, I know that I will always keep what I learned to stay happy and healthy. Thank you Shannon, David, Kelly, Colby, Jan, and Freddy!

Aaron "steaksauce" before 245 pounds!

One word can describe the program Squeeze Studio Fitness has developed for their clients – Addicting. 

Aaron 220lbs and 8.6% body fat

There is no place where physically demanding exercises and efficient workouts come together than at this place.  I hold the workouts at Squeeze in such high regards because of the expert level of fitness instruction and high degree of motivation by the trainers. 
SQUEEZE was a key find by one fellow firefighter that brought me to a kettlebell bootcamp one night. What I liked about it right away was that they offered a way to supplement traditional weight lifting and cardiovascular training.  My first kettlebell bootcamp was an overwhelmingly humbling experience.  The high intensity of the class lasted the entire hour without falter, and the expert instruction was coupled by the motivational encouragement demonstrated by the trainers.  I knew this place was for real when session number two was consistent with number one, as Shannon “encouraged or inspired” me to increase the kettlebell weight by ten pounds.  It might have been a motivational moment where one could step up to the next physically challenging level, OR it could have been that the kettlebells I started training with were also used by some female clients and they were going to be using them for the particular bootcamp that evening, and I would have to exercise with a more “appropriate weight”.  Either way, after Core Camp I was instantly sore which intensified as we sat at the City Lounge (local pub) enjoying a post workout “protein shake.”  

I am satisfied to say that nearly two years later, the high intensity workouts and professional fitness knowledge have evolved my commitment to MY workouts and healthy living.  I can no longer say I supplement weight lifting and cardiovascular training by attending a bootcamp at Squeeze when I am there five days a week.  It has become THE place where I achieve my physical fitness goals.
 At Squeeze, the various fitness classes and training techniques are customized to improve my overall physical strength and optimize the results I achieve.  Since the classes and training sessions run from morning to night they have integrated easily into my schedule which enables my training routine to remain consistent as well as feasible. CONSISTANCY IS KEY FOR ME. The trainers implement kettlebells, therapy bands, ropes, plyometric boxes, ab balls, treadmills, the vibration plate, or simple body weight maneuvers, delivering a dynamic level of conditioning to each training session, surpassing the previous session. 

All the trainers know each member personally, and they take an active interest in everyone’s fitness and delight in continuously challenging your threshold of physical ability, constantly shocking the body system with inventive training techniques. i.e. They like to torture people:)
 Shannon exhibits a level of enthusiasm and an unyielding energy to her instruction which filters through to her clients causing all projected goals to reach absolute reality. 

David reinvents the kettlebell boot camp each and every session and truly brings about a full body assault without fail. 

Kelly coordinates a deceivingly strenuous dynamic through the use of seemingly straightforward movements which have, on a regular basis, destroyed my muscles. 

All of which are regarded as “fun,” and I perpetually return, anxiously awaiting the new routine which quickly and completely modifies any previous concept of physical fitness training. 
I not only have gained overall strength, especially my core muscles, I have lost over 20 pounds of pure fat weight and have gained 14 pounds of muscle!I have significantly decreased my body fat percentage to 8.6% from 31%.  My cardiovascular endurance has shot through the roof.  And as a testament to these gains, if nor for the programs and trainers at Squeeze, I would not have been able to participate in and perform at a competitive level in the Homes for Our Troops Twenty-four Hour Treadmill Marathon and the US Bank Ultimate Stair Climb. 
Squeeze has also allowed me to understand how together with the kettlebell fitness classes, healthy eating though a nutrition plan has helped me to see results so much faster.  All the trainers at Squeeze Studio Fitness continuously maximize every workout allowing me to realize my personal fitness potential and enhance the quality of a healthy life.  I am addicted to Squeeze and will remain so.    Forever a client – steak sauce:)

Amber after (134 lbs.) with Charlotte (top) and Lauren

Amber pregnant with Charlotte – her 5th daughter!

I first met Shannon in January ‘09, when my fourth daughter was 15 months old and I was still trying to get back in shape from pregnancy. I have spent most of my adult life being active, but the intensity level has varied greatly. I went into my fourth pregnancy with a 30mile/week jogging habit. What I hadn’t planned on were pregnancy complications that led to physical restrictions and eventually bed rest. Because I wasn’t exercising, I didn’t have the best diet.
After the birth, I attempted to run again, only to be plagued by sciatic nerve pain from my months of inactivity. I completed physical therapy and was finally ready to get back into shape when a friend (Kris Braden – July 2009 client of the month) told me about her difficult yet amazing workouts with Shannon.
I immediately loved the intensity of the workouts and being pushed to excel. Even during my most recent pregnancy, I felt that I was working out harder than I ever had. All of the trainers were so supportive of having a pregnant client, and helped me modify things so that I could still get an awesome workout. All of the hard work paid off: I had far less back pain during pregnancy and when I had my measurements taken two months after giving birth, I found that I lost 2% body fat. I never would have guessed that I would come out of pregnancy in better shape than I started!
Since starting at Squeeze, I have lost 16lbs and 4% body fat and am MUCH stronger (that is not counting going through the pregnancy weight). My next fitness goal is to run a half marathon, and I’m very excited to see what kind of a runner I will become now that my overall fitness is so much better.

Easily able to carry one daughter in each arm!

It’s always a challenge to find time for myself, but my husband (Kevin) helps me make time to exercise, especially since he comes to Squeeze and knows how great the workouts are. Unlike any other place I’ve exercised at, I know that if I started to miss workouts at Squeeze, Shannon would track me down.  I only hope that my interest in exercise and feeling good about myself will promote a healthy body image for my daughters. Thank you Squeeze trainers!

Kevin Before 258 lbs.

Kevin After 213 lbs. and Red, 6 months

Back in 2008 I needed to make some serious changes in my life in order to become a healthy person again. The prior year was by far the most challenging year of my life as I went through a very difficult divorce, my Dad broke the news he had cancer and found out my grandfather (who was like a father to me) had cancer that we would not be able to beat. I basically gave up on myself and my health ballooning to 258 lbs.

At the turn of 2008 I decided it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself and create an amazing life. It wasn’t until I met Shannon in the summer of ’08 that I realized it was time to get my health back. She inspired me to get into shape so I could snowboard more effectively and for the simple fact that I needed to be in better health. Well, I took her advice and went on to lose 32 lbs. The amazing part about this is I only worked out 1-2x/week for about 2.5 months. I stopped working out as my grandfather passed away and was in the middle of a huge merger with my mortgage company. Something had to give and it was working out.

Learning how to eat properly allowed me to continue to lose weight and keep it off. I didn’t work out for most of 2009. I then decided to tackle the 24 Day Challenge and lost an additional 11 lbs. bringing me within 3 lbs. of my weight (210 lbs.) when I was a senior in college. During the 24 Day Challenge (Jan. 2010) I didn’t work out, but after feeling so amazing on the inside and having my body look so much better I made the commitment to workout 3x/week at SQUEEZE at 6am in group training. So today I have lost 43 pounds!!!

I am now rebuilding my muscle and adding on good weight. I haven’t felt this good since college. I no longer crave junk food. I look forward to clean and healthy meals. I have more energy than ever. I am more focused and efficient in my businesses. It has been an amazing blessing in my life and I truly thank God for bringing Shannon into my life as she saved me from serious health and stress issues that were inevitable. Oh by the way, I also fell in love with her. We have been dating for over a year, have an adorable dog named “Red” as we live a great life together now in Muskego. My life is truly amazing.

I hope my story can inspire someone to take back their life and realize it isn’t about working out 5 days/week. It is just the opposite. If you take back total control of your life you can achieve similar results by eating well, being involved at SQUEEZE at least 1 day/week and allowing Shannon and her trainers help you love yourself again and realize that you can achieve anything you put your mind to with the help of a trusted coach for your fitness and nutrition.

Thank you Shannon, David and Kelly for giving back my life!

Kevin Kowalke
36 years old
Muskego, WI

www.studiomimages.com

melissa yokovich BEFORE Squeeze

As a woman, it is so easy to get lost in the many demands on your time. Kids, work, school, family functions . . . it never ends. You end up moving from task to task just to get everything done and often your nutrition, health and YOU suffer. You forget about yourself and taking care of yourself. 

After realizing that my “baby” was 2 and a half, and I still had “baby fat,” I decided I owed it to myself to get in shape.

I came to Squeeze and within minutes of my first bootcamp best wI knew that this would be the BEST WORKOUT I’D EVERY HAD! It was insanely difficult (THOSE ROPES OUTSIDE!!!) but when I was done, I could not believe I got through class. Even better, I could not believe how amazing I felt!!!

It made me want more. So, I started bootcamps and built up to several times a week. I was able to do things I didn’t think my body was capable of, and was surprised at my ability to take on more when I was pushed or challenged just a little bit (or when David forced me to use heavier kettlebells because he knew I could). It gave me confidence and made me feel better about myself. I had more energy, I was less stressed, and people were noticing that I was losing weight. It felt great to take the time for myself and go after what I really wanted.

melissa yokovich AFTER Squeeze

It made me think about what else I could push or challenge in my life to make things better, and I had the confidence to go for it.

It has always been a dream of mine to own my own photography studio, and I have recently done that. My Grand Opening is on 1-23-10 and I could not be happier or more excited! My studio specializes in boudoir photography – sexy fine art portraiture for women. I like to encourage women to not forget or lose themselves in everyday life like I did, and to celebrate the women they are. Women can still be moms and coaches and taxi drivers and chefs (who serve whole grains), but still be confident and sexy. It is empowering and fun, and makes life way more interesting.

While I am still a work in progress, I am absolutely hooked on Squeeze and am excited about having a team of people that care about my journey of LIVING healthier, stronger, and being fit!!!

Connect with Melissa on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Creek-WI/Studio-M-Boudoir-Photography/212188198540?ref=ts
website: www.studiomimages.com

Shane and Liz Before Squeeze

Shane (gained 10 lbs. muscle) and Liz (lost 19 lbs.) in 4.5 months!

Shane and I were like two peas in a pod from the day we met. We were your typical two, living a busy bar hopping lifestyle. The work week only allowed for work, sleep, stuffing our faces with fast food, only to plop in front of the T.V. with no energy until the tonight show came on. Our weekends of course, consisted of the never ending party; one red bull vodka after another.
Like any semi-young couple we grew tired of the perpetual party and decided we loved each other enough to get engaged and settled down! In place of the party came more eating and less exercise. Soon I was complaining about being a little fluffy and Shane was complaining about his gut! I was an athlete in collage at The Ohio State University so I knew how to workout, Shane was at one time in his life into skate boarding and snowboarding so he knew how to exercise, but the workouts we tried on our own were unorganized and not consistent enough and of course should no results or progress. We needed a positive motivating trainer, the perfect medicine for our laziness!
We had heard about Squeeze and called to set up an appointment and of course was evaluated by the one and only David as we like to call him “Nemo” or “Beast” who of course said we were not in that bad of shape! Yeah right! LOL! The first couple of classes were hell, but stubbornly we stuck it out and it quickly became our daily 6:00 am routine.
Squeeze is now more a part of our new lifestyle then we ever had imagined. The amazing trainers, always challenging workouts, and hardcore population of squeeze members we train with everyday, keep us coming back for more. Squeeze has also inspired a new train a thought and has provided an opportunity for us a couple to do something, positive, motivating and special together. We help and motivate each other to make better nutritional choices, and we push each other to go to the gym. When at the gym we challenge each other to lift more and exercise harder. Having a best friend to workout with makes a difference and has motivated us to try new things. I got back into the water and swam in the US National Master’s Synchronized Swimming competition in Florida in October and both Shane and I have started to learn the art of JuJitSu.
We’re constantly learning how to eat a clean diet with the help of Shannon and David; we are excited about slowly adding new things into our daily nutrition plan that gives us RESULTS and most importantly LOVING OUR FOOD! We love the new energy we have found from the few changes we have made. We are also looking forward to looking awesome for our Wedding in September next year!!! I have lost 19 pounds and 6.8% body fat and Shane has gained 10 pounds of muscle and is down to 7.8% body fat! We’re so pumped because we put in the work and it paid off in 4.5 months!!! Thanks to Squeeze we have found the motivation and laid the ground work for a happy and healthy lifestyle. Thank you Squeeze we love you!!!!