See this beautiful woman? See one of my strongest clients? I don’t mean just physically strong…. I mean body and mind strong. You know me by now and how much I am obsessed with wellness – not just fitness. This woman embodies wellness to me. And, she is the only client of whom I’ve featured in this column twice! Here is my last article.This dear friend of mine, and beloved client, Meredith Gamble, chose a path most of us would not: four surgeries in one year to prevent breast and ovarian cancer. After testing positive for the BRCA test, (after our mutual and amazing menopause specialist Dr. James Simon - who is coming to Alexandria for a “let’s get real about menopause” talk soon with yours truly - not-so-subtly suggested it for Meredith), she quietly chose to opt for both.Due to genetic mutations that put Meredith at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer, she chose this path. Through it all, I was blessed to be by her side and experience her real STRENGTH.So, now I have your attention, right? Well, let’s not stop there.Let’s get real, ladies. Would you be back in the gym as soon as you could? Would you not find every excuse to play “victim” in this situation? Was she sore? Was she in pain? Was she scared? You bet!Yet there she was…with us at the gym with a sweet smile on her face.How we identify ourselves is so important when it comes to your wellness. Next week, I’ll dive into how you can identify better with a “fit” person – or not - and how just this identification can hugely change your health, wellness, and fitness. Meredith does not identify herself with being a victim of these sometimes very painful circumstances: she identifies with being someone who is fit and on a wellness journey and loves to be at "The Loop" at 215 North Payne at 6am two to three mornings a week.I know Meredith. It wasn’t just for the “fitness” she returned so quickly, it was for the feeling of being with us = her wellness and fitness family at “The Loop” at 215 North Payne (Meredith is a member of my Fitness + Foundations Program and also trains with my former colleague, dear friend, and coach, Jason Knowles.) Both have openings!Feel free to comment below a HUGE congrats to Meredith. You may have a lot of respect and long-distance love for her - I know I do! ;-) 

Meredith is wearing Merci Blouse by Veronica Beard $395, Leather Miller Dickey Jacket by Veronica Beard $1,295, and Mini Madeline Earrings by Mignonne Gavigan $125, all available at The Hive and The Shoe Hive.

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time?Juggling my very hectic job and my very active eight-year-old’s schedule. Outside of that, relaxing at home with my husband, son, and two rescue dogs.Neighborhood: Beverley HillsHow long have you lived in Alexandria: 14 years in Alexandria, 15 total in Northern Virginia.What is your hometown? Grenada, MississippiWhat brought you to Alexandria? We moved to the area initially for my husband’s job. We never expected this would become home, but now I can’t imagine leaving.What would surprise people about you? I am BRCA+ (I have a hereditary genetic mutation that puts me at very high risk for breast and ovarian cancer), and I had a preventative double mastectomy a year ago. I’ve had four surgeries in the last year to mitigate my risk. It wasn’t fun, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? The power to clone myself so I can accomplish everything I need to do in a day.Favorite cocktail: Red WineLast book read or movie seen: Movie: Where’d You Go Bernadette; Book: Forgetting You by Colleen Hoover.Guilty Pleasure: Hallmark Christmas movies.Phrase you overuse: Pretty much any annoyingly cliché corporate catch phrase. I say “let’s take this offline” at least once a day.Facebook or Instagram? InstagramLatest binge-watch: The CrownBucket list travel destination: Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya.If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Wine  

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Trendy business casual (if that’s a thing?)The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Louboutin heelsFavorite trend ever: Skinny black dress pantsFavorite current trend: Dressed up sneakersBeauty product you can’t live without: Augustinus Bader moisturizerFavorite fragrance: Juliette Has a Gun Not a PerfumeHeels or flats? Heels 

HOME

Favorite room in your home: We’re currently planning renovations so I’m dreaming of changing everything, but if I had to pick, my family room. It’s big, comfy, and has the best wood burning fireplace.Antiques, modern, or a mix? MixLast item bought for your home: An Ashley Longshore acrylic tray. I’m dying for one of her paintings but haven’t worked that into the budget yet.Next planned purchase: New couch for our family room and an entirely new kitchen.Favorite way to entertain: I prefer other people to do the entertaining, but I’m great for bringing good wine and a cheese tray from Cheesetique.Clutter-free or well-lived in? I aspire to be clutter-free, but that’s always a work in progress.Wallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: I don’t have any in my home currently but would love to incorporate some in a few rooms.  

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Small group and personal training 2-3 days a week and a couple of rides on my Peloton in between.Most fun way to exercise: Personal or small group training because I like to not think and have someone tell me exactly what to do.Group exercise or solo: Solo or small group.Fitness goal: An unassisted pull up.Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: I can’t think of a fitness trend I haven’t tried prior to joining Fitness on the Run four years ago. I would love to really get into meditation, so I would be up for trying a guided meditation class.Proudest fitness achievement: Bouncing back from my mastectomy even stronger than before. I had a relatively quick and uncomplicated recovery, and I attribute that largely to my strength and fitness going into the surgery.      

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: My neighborhood. We live on a cul de sac with tons of trees and a big (for Alexandria) backyard. It feels so removed from the city even though it’s right in the middle of it.Last purchase in Alexandria: The outfit I’m wearing from The Hive/ The Shoe HiveBest coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Misha’s/Brabo Tasting Room/Evening StarFavorite charity: Tie between Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and Lu’s Labs, an Alexandria based lab rescue where we adopted one of our two rescues. They rescue most of their dogs from the South, including my home state of Mississippi, so it’s very close to my heart.Favorite annual Alexandria event:  Not an event per se, but each Christmas I sponsor a foster child through the Holiday Sharing Campaign through The Fund for Alexandria’s Child. I like to involve my son in picking out the gifts. It’s such an awesome program and a great way to teach my son about giving back.