Band of Brothers (and Sisters)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, (I've changed names to protect the innocent), finished her set of upright rows and grabbed a gulp out of her water bottle before starting her set of 7's bicep curls.

"You're going to run after that set," Kevan said, on his way back to our area of the gym after dispensing with torture to our brothers and sisters in arms on the other side.

"Oh, I already did," she said. "I ran extra last time."

"Oh, ok,", Kevan responded.

I burst out laughing. Kevan and Buffy quickly did the same. All three of us knew Buffy had done no such extra running.

She's been working out with the program for several weeks now. I would guess 5 or 6, and she makes the workouts fun. She gives 110 percent while expressing what you might call colorful language and hand gestures, usually aimed in Kevan's specific direction. I often have to stop whatever medieval activity I'm in the middle of because I'll lose my breath from laughing.

Buffy is just one of a host of characters that I have enjoyed working out with on Monday and Wednesday evenings over the last 3 months.

All have been super nice, friendly supportive and hard working. I think we feed off of each other's efforts and are inspired by their results. Although we're all are here for different goals, we share similiar journeys. There's definitely a shared sense of accomplishment, mutual admiration and inspiration. Workouts are peppered with high fives and encouraging words.

When passing each other on the runs that bookend our circuits, the grimaces of exertion on our faces are usually broken with a smile or quick nod as one is on the way out and the other heading back in (Except for Buffy, who will usually say something along the lines of "I f-bombing hate this") I truly enjoy the camaraderie.

Not long ago, Photoshop finished his 12 week program and did his "after" photo shoot. It was awesome to see such a nice guy who I've watched work ridiculously hard reach his goal. I call him PhotoShop because some friends of his on Facebook wall didn't believe the photos were unaltered.

I get a kick out of listening to him talk about his kids, especially the 18 year old son who he says likes to bust his balls. In case you're wondering, dude lost 50 pounds and turned into a total beefcake in 12 weeks. And he's come back for another 12 weeks.

I was intimidated when I started the program, but it quickly became one of the most welcoming of places. Kevan is no-nonsense when it comes to workouts, proper form and doing things right.

He used to belong to this little group known as the Marine Corps MMA fight team, but he's a super nice guy. He laughs every time I alter exercises to make them a little easier, quickly correcting me and bringing me to the edge of throwing up from the exertion. It's amazing how much of a difference a few adjustments make.