February 2023 Member of the Month- Karen B
Name: Karen Beacom Age: 49
What do you do when you're not at Callie Co. Wellness?
I am an opera singer, harpist, and stage director/conductor. I also serve as the Artistic Director of the Soo Theatre where I teach voice and theater and run the Soo Opera. I am the director of music at Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island during the summer season and play at Pickford Presbyterian Church during the winter. You will often find me walking Auggie (our 11-year-old yellow lab!) in the neighborhood. And I am almost always learning/memorizing Italian for whatever role I am preparing for upcoming seasons. If I look like I’m talking to myself, I am probably singing. I’ve been working on “Tosca” for this coming August for the past two years!
What are your goals and why did you start classes at Callie Co. Wellness?
I need to be fit to do what I do! Performing on stage can be quite physical and just keeping up with the pace of teaching and producing theater, some kind of fitness is always in the mix. Yoga and swimming are still favorites, but I started at Callie Co. as soon as I heard there was a new gym in Pickford. I think I got in on the second week. This opportunity came here to our town and I jumped on it! It was at least a month or two into classes when a friend of mine said “I think you are doing CrossFit!” Yep, we sure are!!!
What is one thing you have done since starting at Callie Co. that you never thought you could do?
One thing? That’s like picking one favorite song or movie! There are so many!!! Ooh, I got it. Box jumps. I think I thought I’d never be able to do that!! I jumped one class up to a 20” box, but I’m still most comfortable at 16”! For now…
What would you say to someone who is nervous about trying a class?
Anyone can begin! Start with a stretch and strength class. Go for a cardio and strength lite. Take a few one on one sessions with Callie to learn some of the basics before jumping into a group! Just start. There are modifications for everything. Those box jumps. I did step-ups on the box until I progressed to jumping on the lowest box. Then I went a little higher after that one. Double unders on the jump rope? Haven’t gotten one yet….I still do singles. But I keep trying. Some day!
There are modifications for everything and class members are all helpful!! We know when someone is new and Callie Co. has created a nurturing environment where we all help each other. And cheer each other on. Always!
Any additional comments?
When you do hard things at the gym, it makes the hard things outside of the gym that much easier to handle! If you know me, you know there is not much I would choose to wake up for at 7:30am on a Saturday! But that was the only way to get a class in on Saturday during the busy summer season, and so I’m still at it. And that alone is no small feat.
Everything we do presents a challenge and classes don’t really get easier. That’s why they are so good! We improve with each class so we just continue to do harder things. And we all keep coming back! Some days are “better” than others! Life is not always the same and you are not always the same walking into the gym. But every time you show up, you get your heart rate going, you build strength, and you build mental and physical stamina.
The weekly workouts are just part of what takes place at the gym. There is often something extra to get excited about. The 100,000-meter rowing challenge at Christmas. Memorial Day and Labor Day tribute workouts. The CrossFit games that we just completed. A group of members are starting a book club. There are weekly nutrition meetings! It is such a great community and I am just lucky that I stumbled over there last January!!
Callie Co. is an amazing place! I am honored to be selected as the member of the month and I applaud all of my fellow gym mates and all of the team that Callie has assembled! Callie, Olivia, Stacy, Joyce, Mark, Adam, Callen! You are changing lives! And we love you dearly!
Callie’s Comments: Karen is such a breath of fresh air. I enjoy having her in every class. Whenever there is a new person I will put them with Karen because she instantly makes you feel welcomed and supported. Her kind heart and warm soul shine brightly to all who are lucky enough to know her! She is also strong as heck and moves beautifully with a heavy barbell. I want to squat like Karen one day. I always know she will give it 100% through sweat, tears, singing, and laughing. She even strained her vocal cords cheering for others- that’s how dedicated she is! Here is to another year of your strength and kindness, Karen!