Athlete of the Month - May 2026
This congratulations is coming in a little late. Michelle Ruggiero is our Miss May 2026 and it was very much deserved. When you read below, you will learn Michelle is not attending any other hour aside from the 5:30am (expect the women’s strength class.) A number of our monthly honorees has spent their lives playing sports. Michelle was not one of them and that is something I’m sure a number of other members can relate to. We have all found our place in this community in different ways and have connected with fellow members through other aspects of life other than athletically. That’s what’s awesome about everyone in this place. I’d like to highlight a couple things Michelle talks about below. The “biggest challenge” she’s overcome is something that so many people who are timid to join here deal with. The thought of “everyone” staring or watching you is something many put in their own heads. The majority of the class is concerned with themselves and their own workout to focus on your workout. Thanks for bringing that to light, Michelle. That coffee and cake FBB Friday Michelle mentions…. I was there. Must of been a lapse in memory. I wonder what went down when I was away. I want to acknowledge how open and vulnerable Michelle is with her answers, especially how hard her last year has been trying to get pregnant. I’m glad this AOTM honor gave this May a brighter look at the future. You are an absolute pleasure to coach, talk to and be around. I was hoping for our celebrity dinner party discussion to open up in your answers. I guess John Hamm and a magician didn’t make the cut after all.
See ya at 5:30am.
Written by: Coach Rob Moloney
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Q&A
What’s your background? (Athletic)
Lol there isn’t an athletic background. I had a very short stint in softball, wasn’t exactly suited for basketball (my dad even told me after my first game he wouldn’t make me go back) and was one of four girls who didn’t make the walk-on lacrosse team in high school (one of the other four girls actually goes to this gym). In our defense, they didn’t think we were taking it seriously. In their defense, we weren’t. This AOTM honor is just about the full extent of my athletic career.
How long have you been a member?
Will need to fact check this with Stephanie but 4 years? Maybe 5?
Why did you start coming to IP Fitness?
Stephanie. Although, I think we were doing just fine with our Covid gridiron workouts at Magnolia park.
What makes you keep coming back?
The people. It’s such an encouraging community. I feel myself getting better and wanting to be better because everyone around me is so damn impressive!
What is your favorite thing about the gym?
Damn, I wasted a good answer on the last question. Going to need to say the people again. My 4:45AM alarm is the worst part of my day but the laughs at the 5:30AM class are always some of the highlights.
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome since joining the gym?
Realizing that no one is paying attention to you (except the coaches, of course). I used to be so self conscious about trying a new movement or the amount of weight on my bar and I’ve learned no one, besides me, gives a shit. Everyone is too busy dying in their own corner.
What is the biggest change you have made over the years working out here?
Really honing in on my own physical and mental health. Creating consistency and structure in my adult life. Fighting the urge to skip days just because I can. No one cares if you work out. The biggest change I’ve made is creating my own accountability.
What is one or two favorite moments at the gym?
I’ll give you three…
When Katherine fell during tic-tac-toe. I don’t remember if we won that round or not but she was really putting in top tier effort and we appreciate that.
When Rob was away and we had coffee and cake on FBB Friday. Been chasing that high for months now. Shout out to Dennis, my legal council, for leaving mid-class to get the coffees!
Beating Keri’s back squat with half-pound chips that were only added AFTER she left class
What's your favorite "cheat" food?
It probably shouldn’t be considered a cheat food because of the frequency, but I am addicted to ice pops. It feels good to say that out loud.
Things I avoid but reeeeeally enjoy: bagels, cheeseburgers, Italian hero’s- really anything between two pieces of bread.
And potato chips. Do not leave a bag of them near me.
What’s your go to meal to cook?
I actually really enjoy cooking (and like to think I’m pretty good), so it’s all over the place. But if I had to pick something for Beat Bobby Flay, it would be meatballs.
What do you say to someone who is thinking about starting? Do it. But don’t expect to see me anywhere but the 5:30am class. I’m sure most of the people reading this are like who the hell is Michelle Ruggiero?
What drives you? My Wodify streak.
What is your biggest fitness goal right now?
I’m about to make this a little awkward, but we have to be honest, right? 2025 was an absolute shit year. There was a lot of loss, including three miscarriages. So right now, my goal is to be the best and healthiest version of myself while I try to figure out what’s next. Last May was the first miscarriage (on Mother’s Day weekend, which is a special kind of bullshit), so getting AOTM this May is a really nice kickoff to a new year and a helpful reminder of how far I’ve come.
Who are 3 influential people (alive) who you would want to have dinner with? There were a lot of iterations of this dinner. At one point it was a full dinner party. See me in class or ask Rob about a few of them but landed on Stevie Nicks, Conan O’Brien, Keith Hernandez and I want ALL the stories.
What is a book, documentary or movie you think everyone needs to check out?
Cc’ing Erin & Dennis for book recs (that’s where I get all of mine). For movies, if you haven’t seen Interstellar, you’re really missing out. It’s a perfect film.
I think the reality tv part of this question accidentally got cut off so let me make sure that gets answered too. Going to need everyone to turn their brains off and start watching Love Island so we can get a gym pool going.
If you could call anyone 3 people out to do a workout with you, who would it be and what workout?
Had a hard time picking people for this one but it would definitely be a tic tac toe tournament and, from what I hear, I can’t invite anyone from the gym because I’m the only person who likes it. Shaq would be there though. And probably Katherine (please refer to question #8).