Athlete of the Month : April 2025
Julia has been a member in this gym community longer than any of the current owners or coaches have been here. Her consistency, dedication and hard work has been a big part in earning the honor of April 2025 Athlete of the Month. It’s wild to read that Julia has been here for 12 years. I’ve been in this community for nearly 10 now and we have seen in transform over the years. As we grow older, we plan to grow wiser in our choices and learn from our mistakes and injuries. Julia is so relatable. Many of you know her. She’s a wife, mom (now of 2 boys), a competitive athlete, hard worker, fun loving friend and is always eager to improve. There is plenty in her Q&A that I can relate to personally. I wouldn’t turn down tacos and a margarita. The gym is and should be a happy place to go. Her book recommendation is truly one of the best reads for any parent raising kids these days. Also, it’s cool to see kids grow up with fitness being a normal thing in the family. It’s a big part of life and the distractions and electronics available can redirect many.
I had a few conversations with Julia about 10-12 weeks ago about participating in the Spring Hyrox program. I knew she was eager to do it even though it would lead into the end of your pregnancy and she was not competing at the event in NYC. It was great that we were able to stay open and honest with my professional advice along with Dr. Jeremy’s recommendations and allow Julia to ultimately choose what she wanted to do. I ensured her that I would give her the guidance and modifications along the way to be safe and have the most success. She crushed it and I am excited for when she gets back into the groove to train for her 2025-2026 goals. Congrats on the birth of baby Layne!
Written by: Rob Moloney
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Q&A
Why did you start functional fitness cross-training?
I really started by accident! We had just moved to island park and I kept passing the gym- people were hanging out outside, flipping tires around and it looked fun/intimidating. I was looking to meet people and try something new- here we are 12 years later!
What’s your background?
I played soccer in high school, but got a pretty bad hamstring injury and then hip injury between junior and senior year. In college, I got into working out again, but it was mostly spin classes and picking up some dumbbells here and there. My love for fitness really took off and developed in island park!
How long have you been a member and how long have you been doing functional fitness?
12 amazing years!
What is your favorite thing about the gym?
It’s my happy place. Over the past 12 years, it has been a constant through happy times, stressful times, and all times in between. It’s been a constant during many different seasons of life. The people are pretty damn amazing as well!
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome since joining the gym?
I struggled with balancing my love to go all out/drive my body to the ground (which led to injuries) and actually learning to listen to my body. It’s been cool to be able shift that perspective and be disciplined in training for some tougher events.
What is your favorite moment at the gym so far?
There was an open many years ago, where a woman in one of the last heats of the day got her first ever double under. The gym erupted with cheer and support. It was a perfect example of the community that IP offers.
What's your favorite "cheat" food?
Tacos, chips and queso, and margaritas any day!
What’s your go to meal to cook?
Whatever Joe cooks . But if I have to cook, my favorite meal I make is a sweet potato chicken stir fry.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about starting?
That you’re not just going to take your fitness to a new level, but you will also gain a community.
What drives you?
I want to be the best, healthiest version of me for myself and my family. I love the fact that my son has gotten to grow up in the gym and thinks what we do is normal. I love that he doesn’t question it when he wakes up in the morning and his mom is already coming back from the gym or a run. I love that he comes to me as much as dad to rocket-ship him through the air or climb crazy things. I want fitness and health to be a constant and a norm in our family.
What is your biggest fitness goal right now?
I’m currently 39 weeks pregnant so my goals are scaffolded. Right now, I’m focused on maintaining my strength and having a strong recovery. Once my body is ready, I have goals of signing up for an abroad HYROX, a marathon, and completing a sub 2 half marathon in the 25-26 year.
Who are 3 influential people (alive) who you would want to have dinner with?
That is a hard one. I’m going to go with a person from the different areas that I have most interest in: music, psychology and fitness.
1) Bob Dylan: like his music or not, he has lived through so many influential times in music history and history in general. His song writing is like no other. I’d love to hear about his experiences and influences.
2) Jonathan Haidt: he wrote the book I mention below. He is a social psychologist who focuses on moral and political psychology, as well as childhood development. I find his concepts/research relating to childhood development essential to working with future generations.
3) Tia Toomey: she is one of the most badass athletes. The fact that she is able to train the way she does, stay healthy and raise a toddler is so impressive. I really want to know how she gets like 12 hours of sleep with a kid at home .
What is a book, documentary or movie you think everyone needs to check out?
The Anxious Generation is a book I recently read on how childhood play has steadily declined in the last 30+ years and how phone-based childhood has changed the way brains have developed. It was super interesting and speaks to the idea of how important movement is in development.