iGnite IS our members! They make us what we are, which is why we LOVE spotlighting them! Meet Austin Member, Nicole Dunaway! Nicole is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people we know and you'll never find her frowning. Never ever! In fact, Nicole is always smiling, is always willing to lend a helping hand and this magnificent wife and mother of two has the gift of making the ordinary, EXTRAORDINARY!
Where do you live and how do you iGnite?
I've lived in the Deep Eddy/Tarrytown "Heights" area of Austin for the past 20 years. In person HITT cardio 7:30 am classes are my go-to. I try to "iGnite" at least 4 days a week, I know that if I don't get my exercise in before 10 am, it's simply not going to happen!
Where did you grow up?
Plano, Texas
How long have you been an iGnite member?
About 8 years.
What do you mutter while doing burpees?
I'm just counting and grunting with each throw down...(best to turn the music up)
Who's your biggest motivator or cheerleader?
This would be a tie between Kathleen & Neissa. Neissa for her writings and words of encouragement and wisdom! Kathleen provides my daily dose of positivity. She is full of energy, and makes me believe that age is just a number!
How did you get into iGnite?
My good friend and trainer Alli Phillips introduced me to the group (when she owned Backyard Fitness and I was working out with a 2 year old and 6 week old). Often exhausted, I took one look at Alli (AKA "supermom" with 5 kids including triplet toddlers & an infant, and I dropped the excuses! As my 2 boys grew up, I transitioned to Ignite, and loved being able to stay active even with my kids in tow. Gyms have never been appealing to me - I detest full length mirrors & the gym stank! I love the outdoors! Working out while listening to the birds chirping and watching the leaves flutter sets me right with the world.
What's your favorite word?
I have more of a collection of words: grateful, "Change is Good", and a quote from Kathleen "We can do hard things!"
What's been your favorite job and do you still do it?
I've been a rehabilitation consultant for 30 years. My favorite part of the job is meeting new clients with traumatic complex injuries, while my least favorite part is writing reports & invoicing. The best aspect of self-employment is the flexible schedule that allows me to spend time with my boys and be active in their lives.
What's your favorite song to exercise to?
I love throwback 70's Disco, Yacht Rock, any music that's up-beat. When I jog, I like to listen to the Foo Fighters or Pink!
What do you usually do right after class?
If I'm not driving a kid to school, I walk our new corgi Kealey, and then I pick up the house and get right to "work"!
What would you tell a friend about iGnite?
I would say that all levels of fitness are welcome, the instructors are amazing, the women are supportive, and best of all, working outdoors there are NO MIRRORS!
What's saving you right now?
Starting my day with an iGnite workout is key to my happiness and productivity - now and always! My work as an independent consultant can be isolating, as I have no co-workers. So iGnite not only fulfills my fitness goals, but connecting with other members has provided me a sense of community, an "office" per se that I would otherwise be missing in my daily life.
What's something about you that would surprise us?
One of my favorite pastimes (when I'm procrastinating) is to shop on line. At any given time, I have thousands of dollars worth of shoes, clothes, and bags in various shopping bags....but I rarely check out! It feeds something in me that I can't quite explain! Perhaps it's that I appreciate the finer things and I love to shop, but at my core I'm really quite practical and frugal.
What class do you most look forward to and why?
Friday at Mt. Bonnell is extra special because it's early morning on a FRI-YAY, the cardinals are chirping, the views of the lake are spectacular, and where else do you find 100+ challenging stairs to run! The inherent beauty of nature along with the challenging ascents and descents keeps my mind off the pain!
What do you love most about iGnite?
I love our founder Neissa, her words of wisdom, enlightening outlook and positivity remind me to be grateful and centered.