Bri Fletcher is a registered nurse with Hancock Health and has a remarkable health and fitness journey to share that began right here in our Wellness Centers. Bri continues to share her story to inspire and encourage others to take one small step at a time to a healthier lifestyle. Thank you, Bri, for your dedication and for sharing your story with us!

“There comes a point in everyone’s life where you simply cannot afford to ignore a problem any longer. That day came for me on one sweltering day in June 2019. The doorbell rang and I raced across the living room to answer the door. “I can’t believe I’m so out of breath!” I said to myself as I opened the door. After receiving the delivery, I shut the door and stopped in my tracks. I really contemplated what that meant. I suddenly became angry. Angry with myself that I had reached the point of struggling to breathe. I needed to get healthy again, to feel that natural endorphin high from regular exercise. The truth is, we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge.

This is my journey back to health, happiness, and to feeling alive again.

I wasn’t always out of shape. When I was 14, I decided I wanted to add weightlifting to my life. Being inexperienced, I boldly walked into the weight room and asked the biggest guys in the room how to lift weights. “Heavy!” I told them. From then on, I exercised regularly and even enjoyed weightlifting. I ran, walked, and biked everywhere. Then my life turned 360 degrees, sent me to a new country, nursing school, working the night shift for years, and having a child.  That poignant day in June 2019 would mark a total of 12 years since I had picked up a weight or had any semblance of an exercise routine. I cringe when I think about this.

After my epiphany in the summer of 2019, I began walking and taking classes at the Hancock Wellness Center to get back into an active lifestyle. I took it one day at a time, and with consistency, I noticed an improvement in my stamina. As my fitness was improving, I was confronted with another challenge to take my training to the next level by joining the CrossFit class.  My friend seemed to love it, but…me- CrossFit?   “YOU are insane and I’m way too out of shape for that kind of thing!” I hurled that fiery dart of doubt at myself hard the minute I realized what it involved. And, if I’m being brutally honest- Isn’t that for athlete types? I literally fought battles in my head for months about trying it. But I truly believe things happen for a reason. Then I decided to take a leap of faith. We can wish for something, want something, would like to try something, but very few times do we decide to do something.

I joined Hancock Athletics a year ago. Hands down, one of the best decisions of my life. I can tell you it’s not easy. You shouldn’t want it to be. Isn’t that how true growth happens- out of our comfort zone? I can also tell you that you are met where you’re at. It truly is for all fitness levels. Everything can be scaled to your level! You are in control of how hard you push yourself. I persevered. I fought. I had, and have, so much support around me. Sweating it out with friends is so much better! Every day is different, and the programming is superb. Challenging, but fun, and always leaving you wanting more.

Dillon Painter and Eric Thompson have been my main coaches through this last year, and I owe a lot to them. All the coaches are fantastic! I’m truly grateful for all the leadership associated with Hancock Athletics. You will have personal instruction on how to do everything. I constantly have goals to strive for and feel myself getting stronger and fitter week by week. The endorphin high from accomplishing these workouts cannot compare. Factor in the bonus of being down 85 pounds and knowing that the sky is the limit on what I can accomplish both physically and mentally. But most importantly, I’m out of breath for the right reasons now. Just give it one class- one lap around the track- one step, whatever it takes. We are rooting for you. SEE YOU THERE!!”