From Virtual Training to Real Results: Dr. Tarrah Martin’s Unforgettable Online Personal Training Journey
Name, Age, & Hometown:
My Name is Dr. Tarrah Martin. I am 35 and from a small town, Caro, Michigan
Tell us a bit about you, Tarrah!
I am the youngest of 3, with two older brothers. I gained an older stepsister and younger stepbrother when my dad remarried. I also grew up with all boy cousins, so I was pretty much always outnumbered by the boys. I had to either play by their rules or play alone. But it made me strong.
I am now a chiropractor back in my hometown, where I get to work with my mom every day. She was the office manager of the practice I bought and is my current office manager. Having my own practice keeps me very busy. Between behind-the-scenes office work and providing care to patients, it can seem never-ending, but I love it.
I live with my boyfriend Layton and our dog Nesi. We both stay active by playing sports, running 5ks, or participating in Spartan races. It can definitely be hard sometimes to find the time, though. We also enjoy watching a good movie. We’ll watch anything from Disney to Harry Potter to DC/Marvel to It. We love it all!!
Have you always been in great shape?
I’ve always been a decently active person. I grew up dancing competitively and playing sports, but I was never fit. I always had somewhat of a belly even though I was active and ate pretty healthy. I started to work out after high school but never really stuck with it. I started running because it was “easy”. I didn’t need any equipment, and I could just go outside and do it.
I was very intimidated by lifting weights and never wanted to go by myself. I’ve enjoyed beach body workouts and OCR/Spartan training programs, but I never seemed to stick with them. I would get too “busy” and fall off the wagon with it.
Sounds like you have really enjoyed Obstacle Course Races (OCRs) like Spartan races and endurance races like 5k and 10k’s, right?
Throughout the years, I have done a few 5k’s, a few Spartan races, and many OCRs. My biggest accomplishments have been the Spartan races. I have done a total of 13 OCRs since 2017, seven of them in Spartan races. Ranging from 5K’s to 14 miles with 35+ obstacles.
This past year I ran my most recent Spartans races, the last one being the Beast (12+ miles, 35+ obstacles) with one of my older brothers. It was HARD! But I accomplished so much. I was able to do the majority of the obstacles, even climb a rope (I just learned the week before we ran). We definitely struggled, but my brother kept us pushing hard. We kept each other pushing!
You decided to try your hand at your first-ever Bikini Competition too! How did that go?
My most recent and exciting accomplishment was stepping on stage in my first-ever bikini competition. I entered into true novice and masters 35+. I was proud of myself for what I was able to accomplish and for getting on that stage with the body that I worked so hard for. But in addition to getting on stage, I ended up placing 2nd out of 5 ladies in the masters 35+ category! This has definitely lit a spark in me, and I can’t wait to do more with Julie Lohre’s help and having her cheer me on along the way.
What things lead you to work with Julie Lohre as your online fitness coach?
While in chiropractic school, I had a friend do a bodybuilding competition, and her transformation was AMAZING! She looked absolutely amazing, but not just that, her confidence soared!! She seemed so much more comfortable in her skin. I wanted that! I wanted to feel confident in myself and have the confidence we all should have. I talked to her about it a little bit but never took the plunge. I have thought about it on and off now for over five years. But I never had the confidence in myself to think I could stick with such a strict regime of nutrition and exercise.
This past year, I decided to do a 4-month elimination diet for myself and to gain the experience to talk about it with patients. After I started the elimination diet, I started to think, “if I can stick to this diet, then I should have no problem sticking to a nutrition plan for a bikini competition.”
So, I started to look on Instagram and google for articles and different thoughts, opinions, and stories of other women who have done bikini competitions. Well, I came across Julie Lohre’s Bikini Competition Prep Articles, which I have read more than once, and probably the ones I read years ago when I originally wanted to do a competition. Julie has been coaching women specifically for shows for more than 15 years and has so much experience and success. I figured I should reach out to her! For some reason, I was consistently drawn to her guide and article. It was my “sign” to jump in and go for it. So I did!
What was the most challenging part of your transformation journey?
I think the most challenging thing for me is self-sabotage. I tend to start working out or eating well but lose the gumption to keep going. I never thought I could truly have the body I wanted. I thought others that do just had it easy, and it came naturally to them. But that was my own excuse. The reality is/was I just didn’t have the confidence in myself to work for it. I know I have caused my own limitations in all areas of my life, but I made a commitment to myself last year to love myself and believe in myself, and it has changed my life.
How did you initially connect with Julie Lohre and her FITBODY Bikini Competition Training program?
I first found Julie through her FITBODY Instagram probably 3-5 years ago when I was on one of my searches looking into bikini competitions. I stumbled upon her again last year when I decided I was going to go for it this time!
What reservations did you have about online personal training to start?
Online personal training scared me!! I am a very hands-on face to face kind of person. I never did online classes or anything online, really. I worried it wouldn’t be as personal or as accountable. After talking on the phone with Julie, I felt very comfortable. I learned she would be working with me directly and not just someone else who worked for her like a less experienced coach. Julie was easy to talk to, non-judgmental, and a joy to talk to. She is so positive and uplifting!
How has your outlook on your body and health changed while working with Julie Lohre in her FITBODY Online Personal Training program?
I have been happy and amazed with my progress. I was so self-conscious of my body. I have NEVER felt comfortable in a bathing suit, not even as a young teen, and for the last 10 years or so, I have been so uncomfortable when wearing shorts. My legs were lumpy and soft, and I didn’t like it.
I didn’t like my abdominal area either, I’ve never had a flat stomach. I wanted a flat lean stomach and nice toned, lean legs!!! I wanted to be comfortable and confident on a stage competing in a bikini competition.
After 6 months of working online with Julie Lohre, I didn’t just complete one of my goals, I completed nearly all of them!
I went on stage with a tight, toned figure. I have abdominal and obliques and muscles that I have never seen on myself! I now have nicer, smoother legs and glutes with little to no cellulite. NEVER did I think I could do that.
I would not have been able to without the help of Julie Lohre. My time with Julie has changed my life for the better. I am confident in myself; I feel confident when wearing shorts, and I CANNOT wait to wear my bathing suit in Mexico in a few weeks!! My journey is not over, and I am excited about what is to come.
I have also not only gained confidence in myself, I have become way more comfortable being in the gym by myself. I no longer feel I need to have a buddy or a partner to go work out with. Julie has provided the tools needed to accomplish all of this. She has taken the guesswork out of everything. And that has been the best thing for me because now I have no excuses!
What has been the hardest part of your online personal training journey?
The hardest part has been time. I work long days, and getting up early has never been easy for me. As a chiropractor, my job can be very physical and can drain me. But I made a commitment to myself last year that I wanted to be a stronger, self-loving person to myself mentally and physically. So whether I’m tired or not, I know I need to get up and get to the gym if I want to stay strong and healthy and be a good example and mentor for my patients, my friends, and my family. Limiting chips has been a huge challenge as well. I am not a big sweets eater or junk food eater besides chips. I have really learned to limit myself, and for the most part, I stay away from them. When I do have them, I mostly stick with grain-free or sweet potato chips made with coconut or avocado oil.
How do you feel after training online with Julie Lohre in her FITBODY online training program for 6 months?
I have only been working with Julie for about 6 months, and I feel great! I have gained confidence, strength, and I have the body and the confidence I have always dreamed about. I also think this has helped me sleep better and has given me more energy. I do get tired, and some days I just want to sleep in, but I know how much better I feel when I stay on track!!
I gain energy for the day by going to the gym, and I contain that energy by eating the right way. This has been a huge lesson, I knew, but I needed to really force myself to see I needed it. I am learning to love my body. I was able to walk on that stage confidently and proudly, and I can honestly say I would not have had that confidence 2 months ago, let alone 6 months ago, without Julie’s training and direction.
What supplements have helped you the most in your online personal training journey?
I have been taking Beverly International Lean Out and Beverly International Fit Tabs Multi-vitamin for close to 6 months now daily throughout my online personal training journey. I take the Fit Tabs every morning and Lean Out before breakfast and before lunch. During my cut for my competition, I also included Beverly International 7-keto Musclelean taken before meals and Beverly International GH Factor in the morning and before bed. I do believe these have helped me achieve my goals and shed down during my cut. I have never been so lean!!!
What are the best and worst parts of working with Julie Lohre’s FITBODY in your Online Personal Training journey?
The best part about working with Julie Lohre for my online personal training journey…Do I have to only pick one thing?!? Julie has been exactly what I have needed, and she was the perfect online trainer for me. She pushes me when I need it and is honest with me if I need to make changes or need to work harder on something. But she is ALWAYS lifting me up.
I was so stressed and worried I would not be ready and doubted my progress, but she was adamant and always showed me where I was making progress. And when I was worried that I wouldn’t be ready, she would reassure me we were on track, and well, we were!!
The worst thing about working with Julie in my online personal training journey? I can honestly say I have loved working with her. The only thing I would wish would be to meet her and give her the great big hug that she deserves! I stressed, and I freaked out, and she always handled it and got me back on track mentally.
I just want to say THANK YOU to Julie for being you and for sharing your joy and your knowledge with all of us!
Your favorite motivational quote:
“Do or Do Not, There is No Try. – Master Yoda.”
