September Athlete of the Month - Jennifer Lakis

We are so proud to celebrate Jen Lakis as our September Athlete of the Month! Jen’s journey has been one of perseverance, courage, and self-compassion, and her story inspires us all.
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Since starting her health and fitness journey, Jen has lost 18 pounds, gained strength, and built better coordination. She’s also been working hard to improve her sleep, and through consistent effort, her chronic insomnia is improving. Her goals moving forward include continuing her weight loss, getting even stronger, improving her daytime energy, and reaching for better quality rest.
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When Jen first walked through the doors at WILCOX, she was exhausted and discouraged—struggling with weight gain, poor sleep, and low energy.
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​She also felt nervous about exercising around others at a time when she wasn’t feeling her best. But Jen kept showing up, even when it was hard, and the results speak for themselves.

“Showing up as consistently as I could and working through feeling so out of shape and uncoordinated really paid off,” Jen shares. That commitment not only improved her fitness but also inspired her to take better care of herself in other areas, including starting hormone replacement therapy, which has been incredibly helpful for her.
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Today, she feels stronger, more capable, and even finds joy in movements that once felt intimidating—especially cross-body exercises. Perhaps her biggest accomplishment, though, has been learning to have more fun and be less hard on herself.

Jen’s favorite exercise? Squats! They help her feel strong and grounded. Her least favorite? Battle ropes. (“Sorry, predictable!” She laughs.) But like any true Athlete of the Month, Jen pushes through even the things she doesn’t enjoy, knowing they still help her grow.
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Before her journey with WILCOX, Jen thought healthy habits had to be built through sheer willpower, all on her own. But she’s learned something powerful: “Having a community and seeing other people taking care of themselves is a powerful support and encouragement—and more fun than always trying to go it alone.”
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Now, she finds motivation in watching people of all ages show up for themselves, and she loves how much stronger and more energized she feels in everyday life. When asked who inspires her, Jen points to people who show up with a good attitude and try their best despite adversity. It’s that same quiet resilience she brings to her own journey—meeting challenges with consistency, effort, and compassion.
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For Jen, WILCOX has been a vital part of staying on track. “I’m so grateful to have a place to come to where I can be guided consistently with an ever-evolving variety of great workouts that really get results. Left to my own devices, I would likely fall out of the exercise habit, and this gives me accountability.”

She also emphasizes how much the kindness and encouragement of her trainers--Allison, Bree, and Dan—have meant to her, helping her feel supported every step of the way.
Jen’s advice for anyone beginning their own journey is simple yet profound:

“Keep showing up! And if you’re really hard on yourself and feeling discouraged, commit to finding a way to soften and have more self-compassion—and maybe even a little more fun. :)”
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Congratulations, Jen! Your courage, consistency, and positive spirit are what make you such a special part of our Wilcox community. We’re so proud to celebrate you as our Athlete of the Month!
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