Client Success Story Questionnaire
Name: Emily Kirschner
Age: 52
Occupation: Stay at home mother of four and all the chaos that entails.
What is your athletic background?
Minimal. Despite never having picked a golf club up before, in 9th grade I joined my high school golf team because rather than being in 7th period Biology, I was outside on the golf course twice a week. I had no idea how to golf, and whiffing was my best stroke. I don't generally think of myself as particularly athletic (Artemis is changing that!) and have never done a team sport in my life. I once biked from Minneapolis to Chicago to raise money for charity.
What was your workout routine prior to Artemis at CF Spero?
Occasional pilates, ashtanga yoga, walking my dogs, and as of a couple of years ago, tennis. I started learning tennis at age 49 and while it has been beyond humbling, it's also been the most fun I've had in my life. Should out to Coach Gino for his endless patience and positivity.
When did you start Artemis?
January of 2025
Why did you choose CF Spero?
Women lose muscle mass as they age so I wanted to focus on strength training, but had no idea where to start. After a lifetime of trying to be as small and thin as possible, I have evolved into striving to be bigger and stronger in both muscle and voice. I searched for a place to do weight training, because I had no idea how to lift weights properly, and I knew if I tried to do it on my own, I'd be intimidated, bored out of my mind, and not stick with it. Enter Abbie and our mighty group of women (shout out to Angie, Maria, and Linda) gaining strength and taking up space in the world.
What keeps you coming back?
Not the box jumps, that's for sure. I keep coming back because Abbie and the other women in Artemis are all supportive, motivating, and stronger than I am, so I have to keep aiming higher to keep up with them! I can see and feel how much stronger I am since starting! My body feels balanced; all the proper muscles are firing after years of chronic pain and muscle imbalance. When I started, I was uncertain about lifting a 35 pound bar. I now look foward to loading up my bar with weights and fighting to get the last rep. That said, I regularly tell Abbie I have a very love/hate relationship with her workouts. I really love the way I feel when I'm done...
Why do you live in the Oak Park area?
We were NEVER leaving the city, and I was NEVER driving a minivan. But then, before we knew it, I was expecting twins while already having two kids. We decided that public school was more fiscally responsible than four private school tuitions, and that a minivan was the only answer to driving four kids around. We currently live in a big grey victorian in River Forest, with a minivan parked in the driveway.
What do you do for a living?
I put my graduate degree in social work to use as a a stay at home mom of four. I also freelance as a pro bono interior designer for my friends.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love tennis. I love interiors, scouring the internet for antique furniture and second-hand designer handbags, and I've never been unhappy dancing my heart out at a concert. I love hanging out with my four kids, who are all blossoming into fabulous young-adults and teens. My goal is to laugh as much as possible.
What are one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting Artemis?
Reduced pain! I have a 20 year history of chronic pain and muscle imbalance in my right glute/hip. When I started Artemis, I had an incredibly limited range of motion when squatting and I couldn't do a proper lunge or split squat because my right hip/glute was so weak and unstable. Fast forward to a few months of Artemis and I have full range of motion when squatting with a weighted barbell on my shoulders, and I can lunge and split squat with a full range of motion and stability. After being in PT on and off for 20 years, seeing such improvement in such a short amount of time is astonishing. And my core is stronger than ever. I had no idea lifting heavy weights would strengthen my core so effectively.
What is the biggest change you have seen since starting Artemis?
I feel a great sense of accomplishment. I feel empowered, capable, strong, resilient, and powerful. I feel like a badass. The most productive way for me to get through the things in life that are beyond my control is to push through and work to be as strong as I possible. It's not possible to ruminate about stressors when I'm focusing on getting throught my fourth round of sled pushes and weighted lunges. The process of pushing myself past what I thought my body was capable of is very empowering.
What are your goals for 2025?
To do push ups from my feet, to not want to cry doing my final sled push, to arrive to class early, and and to try a CrossFit class.
What's your favorite and least favorite movement?
I dislike sled pulls and pushes. Really don't like them. I like strict press, push press, slam balls, and push ups. (I used to avoid push ups, because I couldn't actually do them and that frustrated me to no end. Now I can get a full range of motion with my chest to the floor and back up, modified, but I am getting there!)
What's your favorite meal?
Any and all summer fruits and vegetables, a lobster roll from New England, and a really good cappucino (not together). My favorite capuccino in OPRF is from Broken Tart.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting Artemis?
Join us! It's been life changing for me and it will be for you too! You may walk into Spero with trepidation, but soon you'll know all the lingo: rep it out, RDL, Turkish get-up. Abbie is a great coach. She's the best! She's knowledgable, fun, motivating, and is as excited to see our progress as we are. Everyone works at their own pace, so there is no reason to be intimidated. Working out together as a group makes it much more fun. And what is more empowering than doing back squats with a giant barbell on your shoulders? Your clothes will fit better. And really, nothing feels better than being strong.
Anything else you would like to share with the Spero family?
I'm really thankful that I found Spero and Abbie. Everyone I've met has been welcoming and positive. The positive effects of joining a supportive place where everyone has similar goals have been motivating and empowering.
What are three hobbies or things you love to do outside of the gym?
Tennis, listening to all kinds of music, and watcing a really good show, post workout, from my bathtub full of epsom salts.
Where is one place you would love to visit but haven't been able to yet?
I've yet to find anywhere I love more than Paris, but I'd love travel to anywhere in Europe or Thailand.
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