Our very own Co-founder and CEO of EMBODY Wellness Company, Stephanie Rapp, was named Tribeca’s Exceed Athlete of the Month!
Every month, an Exceed instructor at each location chooses an Athlete of the Month. There are many reasons one might be chosen as the coveted “Athlete of the Month.” Some reasons could include: brings positive energy to class, always gives 100% effort, recently reached a goal or overcome a personal obstacle, etc.
Get inspired by Stephanie! (She worked out the day before she went into labor!) Read her interview with Exceed Physical Culture below and see how fitness helps Stephanie EMBODY Wellness.
How was your first experience at Exceed?
Stephanie: It was great (clearly because I keep coming back again and again!). Exceed is the workout I would try to plan for myself, but with the energy of a group class and the expertise and motivation of a great instructor!
How do you Exceed outside of The Workout classes?
Stephanie: In addition to doing well at my job, I try to stay involved in things that are important to me and that I’m passionate about. That means I’m always making plans to meet up with friends and family, I cook and entertain as much as possible, and I recently started a wellness and lifestyle company called Embody Wellness Company, which I am super excited about!
What keeps you coming back?
Stephanie: Every class is different and every instructor is different, but you always get a great workout. I never know what to expect, which keeps me focused and constantly improving. I also love that I’ve been able to continue to modify my Exceed workouts as I’ve gone from 3 months pregnant to just a few days away from my due date!
What are your current goals?
Stephanie: My goals right now are to have a healthy pregnancy and (hopefully) an easier, faster labor. I am working out to stay strong and mobile, which has been proven to have positive effects on a growing baby. I feel more energized, less fatigued and less nausea when I do something active at least 3 times per week.
Does anyone motivate/inspire you to workout?
Stephanie: Health, mobility, longevity, energy – those are the factors that motivate me to workout. I feel strong and powerful when I am fit and active. These feelings translate into other aspects of my life, making me work harder, feel confident and happier!
Most favorite exercise? Least favorite?
Stephanie: I’m a big fan of the TRX. With just one simple toy, you can work out every single muscle in your body in hundreds of different moves, and continually make it more difficult as you get stronger and stronger. Rows, pushups, saws, mountain climbers, hip thrusters, one legged lunges, jump squats, Y-ups, pistol squats. TRX is especially great while pregnant because there are so many leg, butt and arm movements that you can do safely and effectively. Simply walking my feet away from the anchor point allows me to ease up if I need to decrease the intensity.
Right now my least favorite move is the burpee because I can’t lie on my stomach, and changing elevation between jumping and a plank is getting really difficult as my bump gets huge! Although, jumping jacks are really hard for me at 38 weeks pregnant too!
To learn more about Exceed Physical Culture, click here.
For the full blog post on Stephanie, read here!
