Meet Meriel

How long have you been coming to Lagree MT?

I had my first private lesson at the end of May 2023. Starting out, I was too scared to try a group class, but Dan convinced me after a few visits that there wasn’t anything to be afraid of. He was right!

What is your favorite Lagree move?

I’m always a fan of express lunges at the back and narrow squats (blue spring) – is that what they are called??? Whenever we do them, I know I will have all the body feels the next day. I’ve also recently become a fan of cobra pushups because they are something I really struggled with when starting out. I’m hoping that scrambled eggs will be the next move that I can master and stop hating quite so much. 😉

What's your Why? (Why do you workout and keep coming back for more?)

I started at Lagree MT to lose the last of the baby weight since my youngest was about to turn two, but now it has become more like therapy to me. 7am classes are my preferred way to start the day before the chaos of getting the kids off to school and my workday begins.

How has Lagree MT made a positive impact on your life?

I have been working remote out of my home office since 2016 when we moved to Missoula and I am pretty much a hermit. Other than preschool drop off and/or pickup, I mostly spend the day home on my computer. Lagree provides me with some much-needed adult interaction and conversation. It has given me a community outside of being a full-time, working mom that I hadn’t realized had disappeared from my life.

Why do you choose Lagree MT over another workout?

I still run regularly, but Lagree is such an efficient workout that it has replaced the gym. I love the full body focus I receive in just 45 minutes and being able to schedule ahead of time keeps me accountable during my busiest workdays.

You just won the Lagree MT 2024 90 Day Challenge - how did you tackle it? Any insights to your effective strategy?

I approached the challenge by setting a new goal for myself each month. At first, I just wanted to drop a few lbs. I accomplished that more quickly than I had expected so I set another goal and then another. I started tracking my macros, which drastically increased my daily protein intake and helped me to establish a healthier relationship with carbs and fats. Basically, I reeducated myself on how to nourish my body for an active life versus eating without a plan.

Fun Fact

I work for an Aviation Insurance brokerage out of Seattle, and I am a mom of two boys, ages five and almost three. We love playing outdoors as a family, which is why we chose to leave the city life. We are definitely not extreme sports people, just casual participants, and lovers of nature. I was lucky enough to grow up in Missoula and my husband and feel very fortunate to be able to raise our kids here.

Client Spotlight: Meriel Collins