Highway to Well is both a personal journey to finding your inner balanced badass as well as a chance for us to support and celebrate each other and share our tales from the road. This week we’re making a pit stop to hang with Marni Hallett – the self-proclaimed fashionista barista from Baltimore, Maryland who found her inner badass and won Tour To Summer 2015!
Get to know Marni:
What were some of your more memorable milestones on your own personal fitness journey?
I’ve been on a constant personal fitness journey for who knows how long. It’s always been a rollercoaster for me. There were definitely some memorable milestones that I’m still proud of to this day. I remember back at the end of my senior year of high school I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and I had gained a ton of weight in a very short period of time and became pre-diabetic. To top that off I had my first back surgery to repair a herniated disc in my lower back. With hard work exercising and keeping a fairly strict diet I was able to balance my body out and rid myself of PCOS and the other negative physical and mental effects that came with it. Another proud moment in my journey was when I was in the middle of a workout challenge I’d been participating in. I looked in the mirror one day and saw actual oblique lines. This is something I’ve never seen before since I’ve always been on the curvy side with a bit of tummy pooch. It was then that I realized with enough hard work towards a healthier lifestyle, my body truly could transform into something strong–something I could be proud of.
All of these milestones have helped push me to continue my journey, but I think the most memorable of all was when I won last year’s Tour to Summer. I will never forget the night I found out. My boyfriend thought I was crying from the pain of a recent back flare-up, but that was far from the case. I had worked so hard and gone through huge physical and mental transformations. I hadn’t felt so motivated, strong, and most importantly, happy, since I could remember. I’m now a certified POUND Pro and will finally be teaching my first class in June–THAT is a milestone I cannot way to celebrate.
BUMPS IN THE ROAD: What challenges have you faced along the way and what are some of the things that help or have helped you overcome them?
As I mentioned previously, I’ve dealt with quite a few bumps in the road during my fitness journey. It’s always been a struggle for me to keep up with exercise and healthy eating. I would go on a crazy fad diet every now and then, or start counting calories and just lose interest and motivation. My weight would constantly fluctuate because of that. I’ve also been through two back surgeries for herniated discs in my lower back. These factors have affected not only my active lifestyle I try to uphold, but also my mental state of being. I grew up taking dance lessons, going to theatre camp and trying to be as active as I could, but couldn’t get myself to keep up with things as I got older and had to face health issues.
It wasn’t until my Aunt Reada told me about POUND back in January of last year that everything changed. I bought the 60-day POUND Rockout Results System and was very excited. I admit at first I let that system sit there and collect dust for a month. I couldn’t get myself motivated to make it past the BASSLINE workout. Then my Aunt told me that Tour to Summer 2015 was happening and that there was a trip to LA to POUND with the pros as the grand prize. I mean, if that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is?
I conquered a lot and gained so much during tour. Within the first few weeks, it no longer was a contest to me, but a big growing and supportive community where we all were on the same path to a happier and healthier life. It opened my eyes to a workout that actually kept my attention. Between the fun music, the POUND Masters and gurus I grew to love, and the feeling like I wasn’t even working out (I felt it the next day though, always), I was falling in love with a happy healthy lifestyle that I always wanted. I also met so many incredible and inspiring people in the POUND Posse and I cooked and ate amazing (and healthy) recipes from the B.A.L.A.N.C.E. Guide that my boyfriend loved and appreciated as well. My life has changed for the better thanks to POUND.
My back still flares up every now and then. I found out recently I have another herniated disc, but I don’t let that hinder me anymore and I’m through with surgery for now. As long as I can POUND with modifications, I feel like I can conquer the world. A day without POUND is a sad day for me—except for rest days, because we need those—and I could not imagine my life without this incredible workout and the amazing community that comes with it.
What’s on YOUR HTW mixtape?
Any music that gets me moving! I’ve been jamming to some Sia, Major Lazer, Dave Guetta, Calvin Harris, Vulfpeck, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, AC/DC, Dr. Dog, and Enter Shikari. My music taste has always bounced around and I have my parents and my brother to thank for that. I grew up with the “Oldies but Goodies” and then I’ve always had my brother Lee to keep throwing new amazing artists my way. I also love POUND’s Spotify playlist. I’ll get sucked into listening to the same artists all the time, but I can always count on finding some new jams on Spotify to get into.
Marni’s Advice for Tour:
How do you navigate your own journey and what advice/motivation can you share with our community when it comes to preparing for this journey and all the changes?
I think one of the most fun parts of starting a challenge (and keeping up a new and improved lifestyle) is preparation. I love lists and find they truly help me stay on track. Whether it’s a ‘To Do’ list or a grocery list, I find writing them out really helps keep me focused on what I need to get done. Plus, crossing things off when you complete them is so satisfying. I also use a calendar along with my lists. POUND has put out great calendars that have helped me make sure I get my workout in every day! I also keep a journal handy for both food (not to count calories, just to see what I’m consuming regularly) and to check in with myself each day and see how I’m feeling both mentally and physically. I find that preparation can be really motivating and helps make the journey smoother and more enjoyable (less stress is the best).
Now, if I can give the POUND community any advice to get you ready for this incredible journey that is sure to bring you some amazing changes, it’s to take full advantage of all the resources being given to you and reach out to each other. The POUND website is full of helpful tips, recipes (I swear by the B.A.L.A.N.C.E. guide and the new mixtape meals), workout guides, and other resources that will truly help you on this journey. Then get yourself out there and connect with the rest of the POUND Posse. You will meet the most incredible and inspiring ladies and gents and you will all become the best of friends in no time. Social media has helped POUND grow and connect so many people. I took my Tour BFF, Joyce (aflynnfox), who I had never met in person, with me to LA when I won last year. She flew in from Kansas City, I flew in from Baltimore and with the power and love of POUND we clicked instantly. We are so excited to see more of these unbreakable bonds be made this month. I can promise you the POUND posse will always be there to support you and push you so that you will be able to make so many positive changes in yourself and in your life.
Just for fun:
What does your bumper sticker say?
“MAKE NOISE OR GTFO” but that may be a little inappropriate to actually put on my car, haha. I’d rock “POUNDIN’ MY WAY THROUGH LIFE” or “MAKE WAY, POUND POSSE COMING THROUGH.”
I feel like someone should hire me to write bumper stickers now. This is too fun.
I have another! “WARNING: POUND PRO ABOARD, MAY DRUM IN TRAFFIC AND AT RED LIGHTS.”
Seriously though, these are all insanely relevant to my life and I’d rock the hell out of each one.
Gas Station guilty pleasure….
I have to stay away from Royal Farms because ROFO’s fried chicken and steak fries (extra crispy, like throw them suckers through the fryer a few times) are everything. Seriously, sounds crazy, but don’t knock it until you try it. YUM!
