FITBODY Training Success Shawn Moran
Stronger and more fit over 50? YES! It is possible! Find out how rock star Shawn Moran conquered her fears and became the best version of herself through FITBODY Training!
The progress I have made has been transformative! When I gained weight before, I just took it as a 50 year-old curse of a slowing metabolism. Not true! In 4 months, I achieved what I never thought was possible and did it in a healthy and natural way!
NAME & AGE
Shawn Moran, 51
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU!
I am married to a wonderful and supportive man, Greg, and we live in Chicago. We don’t have any children and we recently lost our amazing dog Roxie at 16 years old and have considered another but I’m not quite ready yet, but our family does feel incomplete. We feel she lived such a long, healthy life because we practiced on her what we practice ourselves: eat healthy and never stop moving. We had her on a five mile hike just a month before we lost her! My husband and I have had dogs the entire 18 years together so he’s been on me about getting another but as most of you can relate, 90% of the work falls on me and I’d like to take just a little break for the time being.
I started my career in consumer marketing for some great, top companies and then shifted over to sales about 15 years ago and love it. I am currently in sales for SXM Media which includes SiriusXM, Pandora Music, Stitcher and SoundCloud. I’ve been there 6+ years and have never loved a job more. It’s hard to balance a high-pressure, full-time career and my fitness life but I always make fitness a priority.
" The progress I have made has been transformative!
WHAT THINGS HAPPENED THAT LED YOU TO WORKING WITH JULIE LOHRE AND FITBODY Training?
When I decided to move forward with my fitness competition, I did my research and found a coach, locally here in Chicago. One of the most important aspects of finding the right person was their understanding that I wanted to learn along the way. I didn’t want to just be told what I needed to do; I wanted to understand the why.
I am so interested in how the body works, how food affects the body, and all of the mechanics so that was very important to me. After a few weeks, I realized that particular coach just wasn’t right for me personally. She was terrific but it just wasn’t the right fit. So I went back to my search…and then I found Julie Lohre and FITBODY Training. I researched her background, all of her amazing accomplishments and read about her mission on her website. I was already sold but then she and I had a phone conversation and there was no question. I could tell we would work well together because she was really listening to me and understanding my overall goals for this journey.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
I’ve always been into health and fitness since the age of 4 when my parents got me involved in gymnastics, which lasted for about 13 years. That love for exercise and sports has carried on throughout my life. I feel it is essential to never stop moving and to always remain active. When I’m not working out at the gym, I like to hike, golf, ski, play tennis, go for a run, bike ride along the Lakefront…anything I can do to keep myself moving. I do so many of these activities all of the time, but after I hit 50, I wanted to do something bigger and tougher. For the past several years, I have challenged myself with a new, difficult goal: marathons, competing in Tough Mudder, and learning a new language. Two years ago, it was getting a personal training certification, last year it was getting a personal training specialist certification for the aging, and this year, it was entering my first fitness competition. Probably the hardest one yet!
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT JULIE LOHRE’S FITBODY TRAINING?
I just did a ton of research, read reviews, checked out websites, and the like. I kept reading more and more about Julie and the only reason I didn’t contact her at first is because she isn’t based here in Chicago. I thought I needed someone locally, which I realize now, I didn’t at all.
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED IN YOUR FITBODY JOURNEY?
The most difficult part of any fitness journey is realizing that it is not a one and done deal. This is a lifestyle. Proper nutrition and exercise is a must and sometimes one can forget that. Balancing this with work, family, and friends is always a challenge but once it becomes a part of you and your life, it just comes naturally. My most difficult challenge is always the balancing act. I have so little time as it is, that sometimes it’s hard to find the important time you need to dedicate to loved ones. This also has to be a priority and one I continue to work on.
WHEN YOU FIRST CONSIDERED FITBODY ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING WHAT CONCERNS DID YOU HAVE?
I was a little concerned about the online only-aspect because I learn best from watching and face-to-face interaction. However, once I saw her career, her past experiences, her successes, the client testimonials and her mission, I knew she was the right coach for me. And again, once we spoke on the phone, it was 100% a no-brainer.
TELL US THE SPECIFICS OF YOUR FITBODY TRAINING RESULTS AND TRANSFORMATION
The progress I’ve made has been transformative. I’ve always considered myself very healthy and in good physical condition but I do like to eat foods that aren’t always the best (sometimes a little too often) and I like to have the occasional few glasses of champagne or a martini or two. I was gaining weight in places I never gained weight before and for a while, just took it as a 50 year-old curse of a slowing metabolism. I didn’t think I would ever be able to get rid of those few extra pounds I had put on in really tough places to negotiate.
During this time working with online fitness coach Julie Lohre, I have gone down a size in my waist/pants and overall went from 120 to 108 for my competition. I’m also stronger than ever! I have never had a flat stomach with definition. I actually thought it was just genes and it would never be possible for me. Well, it is possible and it now exists for me and I’m thrilled. All of this took place in just over just four months. And it was in the most healthy and natural way.
"The most difficult part of any fitness journey is realizing that it is not a one and done deal. This is a lifestyle."
"I was gaining weight in places I never gained weight before and for a while, just took it as a 50 year-old curse of a slowing metabolism."
"I have gone down a size in my waist/pants and overall went from 120 to 108. I’m stronger than ever!"
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR FITBODY JOURNEY?
Missing out on amazing dinners my husband cooks, family get together, drinks, parties, etc. Sacrificing those things or watching everyone eat things like macaroni & cheese, pizza, Mexican and Thai food (my favorites) in front of me was hard but I knew I had to keep to it. If I ever felt pressure or that I might cave, I left the room or just left the party altogether. Everyone understood why.
Why Low Calorie Diets DON’T Work!
HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU HAVE MADE AN INCREDIBLE FITBODY TRANSFORMATION? HOW HAS YOUR OUTLOOK ABOUT YOUR BODY AND YOUR LIFE CHANGED?
I feel great now. I feel energized, excited and honestly, in the best shape of my life. I learned so much on this journey; things I can continue to live by and use everyday moving forward.
WHAT SUPPLEMENTS DID YOU USE DURING THE PROCESS?
I used (and will continue to use) all of the FitBody Beverly International products that Julie recommended and I’m so glad I did because I felt they really aided in my progress. My absolute favorite is the UMP Protein. I love the chocolate flavor. My husband loves it too so we’re going through quite a bit every month.
I also take the Ultra 40 which I love as it’s designed for those of us over 40. Fit Tabs, Density, Muscle Synergy are all supplements I plan to continue, as long as Julie guides me to. As I was in final prep for the competition, Lean Out, 7 Keto Musclean and Glutamine Select were instrumental in getting my body exactly where it needed to be in that final month.
WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST PART ABOUT WORKING WITH JULIE LOHRE?
The best part is Julie’s accessibility and willingness to help so much and the fact that I only worked with her – never an assistant or anything. She answered every question (and I ask a lot of questions), and her quick responses were always so helpful. As I mentioned, understanding the “why” for decisions and direction was crucial to me and she always did such a wonderful job of explaining that to me. Julie really truly cares about each person she works with. I always felt that and I loved that.
I wouldn’t say there was any downside to working with her. The only thing I sometimes wished is that I could meet with her and talk with her in person.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
I just loved working with Julie! Her mission to inspire and motivate women from all walks of life is so admirable. Julie loves what she does and it shows. Thank you Julie for being such an inspiration and motivation to me! She always believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I can’t thank her enough for that.
"I feel energized, excited and honestly, in the best shape of my life. I learned so much on this journey!"
"Julie really truly cares about each person she works with. I always felt that and I loved that. "
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."