Natural Muscle November 2016 Celebrating 21 Years This Month! | Page 26

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By Bernadette Schimnowski Rosen Photos by : Bart Rademaker M . D

, Bernadette Rosen , Ed Johnston , G reg Vander Wel , Rick Schaff athletes of the

TRI-FITNESS

BSR : Please tell the readers about yourself : Danielle : I grew up active playing volleyball , tennis and cheerleading , along with my sister and brothers in south Florida . Along the way as a teen , I battled very low self-esteem and in turn , suffered terribly from an eating disorder . By the grace of od , I overcame that vicious bond and I have not had a setback in 15 years . As a young adult , part of what helped me heal was training . It was that or I die . That ’ s how I felt . In 2006 , my husband James and I moved to Nashville ; we have a son �acob ( age 7 ).
BSR : How long have you been doing the Tri-Fitness Challenge and what got you started ? Danielle : Back in 2002 ( wow , 14 years ago ), I started reading about Tri-Fitness here in Natural Muscle Magazine and Oxygen Magazine . My husband also knew some women who participated in it and loved it . I loved everything that I read about Tri-Fitness but at that time I did not have enough courage or self-esteem to train and condition for it . Years went by , but I kept reading about it in the same magazines and online . Then one afternoon in 2013 during a trying season in my life , I went online and signed up ! No turning back now . I had 7 weeks to prepare and I knew absolutely nothing about the obstacle course . It was by far , the best decision I could have ever made and I still train the exact way now . Sprint conditioning is the most powerful feeling in the world .
BSR : What do you like best about the Tri-Fitness Challenge ? Danielle : I love all the events and how they challenge you to be the best . All the events are attainable but very challenging . Training specifically for these events allowed my physique to gain muscle and I ate like an “ athlete .” When you participate in the Tri-Fitness you are basically competing against yourself . My goals are to exceed the times I had previously achieved since all the events remain exactly the same . Thus , personal bests are my goals . I also love the way all the athletes cheer on each other . It is definitely a family atmosphere I am proud of !
BSR : Would you like to add anything else for our readers ? Danielle : I ’ ve been competing in different fitness events , both bikini and fitness , since 2004 and have held titles as well and it has been a blast . What stood out the most , was within 24 hours of signing up for Tri-Fitness online , the promoter himself , Al Rosen , called me personally to welcome me as an athlete and walk me through how to condition for the event . Believe me when I say , no one does that !
Al does ! Al and his entire staff , as well as the other athletes , gladly want to see you perform at your best , and cheer you on with intensity , when your quads are completely shot , your lungs are on fire and you want to just fall to the ground ! ( Lol !!) I will forever be die-hard for the Tri-Fitness Challenge !

Danielle McGlynn

26 Natural Muscle Magazine November 2016 Celebrating 21 Years !