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iFIT Member Highlight: Shawn Beranty

Meet iFIT member Shawn Beranty. Shawn completed the 24-hour World's Toughest Mudder event on November 16, 2019, in Atlanta! This is an intense obstacle course race, where participants compete in a 5-mile looped course, trying to complete as many laps as possible in 24 hours. We interviewed Shawn about the race, and here’s what he had to say about his experience.

Why did you want to participate in the race?

I’ve been asked why I would do something like this many times, but the answer has been pretty simple. There was a day I couldn’t imagine doing anything like this. Just a few years ago, I was out of shape and felt embarrassed when someone would bring a camera around. I started out setting small goals and once I achieved those, I wanted to set bigger goals. I looked at this event as a pipe dream, but soon learned there are people and programs out there that are fantastic.

“Surround yourself with others on the same journey and it becomes a fun process. Everyone roots for each other to cross that finish line or crush that goal.”

What did your training plan look like?

My training plan began in the summer with the idea of trying to accumulate a lot of miles under my belt. I primarily used my NordicTrack incline trainer for the majority of the training. During a session with one of the trainers, I would pause the workout and go do a variety of pull-ups, curls, and abdominal crunches. Grip strength is one of the main things needed to have success, along with a good cardio base. There are a lot of obstacles where you have to pull yourself up, such as walls and rope climbs.

What workout series did you use to train?

I primarily used John Peel's End of the World Series. I love his longer workouts that are at a good pace and have a lot of elevation. He challenges you to keep up, but it feels like you’re out with a friend more than a coach. He has a way of inspiring you to become a better version of yourself through hard work and discipline. I was also using Ashley Paulson’s Boston Marathon Series to get those much-needed miles in. I fell in love with her positive energy and the rolling hills of the series were a perfect training companion.

What challenges did you run into and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I ran into was that the majority of the race happened overnight with a lot of water obstacles, and the temperature dropping in the mid-30s. Everyone wore a wetsuit at that time to help keep hypothermia at bay. I’d never worn a wetsuit in my life, let alone run in one for the majority of an event. There were nights that I put on the wetsuit and climbed on the incline trainer to simulate what it would feel like during an event. It was horrible and constrictive at first, but after a while, it became a little more comfortable. Keeping up with Tommy Rivs Puzey in Costa Rica while wearing a wetsuit was not as enjoyable as it may sound! In the end, the benefit of overcoming that feeling made for a more comforting experience during the race.

What race do you hope to complete next?

Some of my future goals include running in the Boston Marathon. I’m not fast by any means, but there are other ways to participate in the race. The environment in which iFIT has presented the course has drawn me to find a way to get there someday. The people along the course and all the stories of the runners’ journeys to get there would make for some epic memories. In all honesty, it would’ve never been on my radar if I didn’t get to experience it first on iFIT.

What is it about iFIT that keeps you motivated?

I love what iFIT has provided for its customer base. You can travel all around the world with trainers that feel like friends, even with never meeting them. In the end, they all have the same goal of helping you become a healthier version of yourself. This all takes place in some epic locations while exploring diverse cultures. This feeling is what draws me in, along with the fantastic and motivated online community. I love seeing people achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

Training for an event similar to Shawn’s? Give these workout series a try!

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COSTA RICA FAST & FIT SERIES

FRENCH POLYNESIA FAST & FIT SERIES

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GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM-TO-RIVER SERIES

PANTHEON RUNNING SERIES

Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.

Opinions of iFIT members are not necessarily the opinions of iFIT.

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People Need People: The Positive Effects of Socializing

As human beings, we are social creatures by nature. Instinctively, we don’t like feeling alone, and our bodies and brains actually function better when we are surrounded by others. We are basically wired to be social. If you were to google “why humans need humans” or anything along those lines, you’ll find a plethora of articles explaining why social connections and friendships are vital to our health and well-being. Outside of our family units, when we have friends we can lean on, laugh with, cry with, and talk to, we are nourishing ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. We need that connectivity not only to survive, like this article suggests, but to thrive. Whether you’re someone who prefers to have just a few really close pals, or you’re a social butterfly with a lot of friends, at the end of the day, we need those relationships. Here are the top three reasons we need friendships in our lives! Friendships improve our health Research has shown that having strong social connections is vital to our health. For starters, it can reduce stress levels, ward off depression and suicide, lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, and cancer, as well as boost our immune system...and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s also easier to exercise and live a healthier lifestyle when you have the support of friends and family. Friends extend our life expectancy Aside from improving our overall health, maintaining friendships can also add years to our lives—just like regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and not smoking. Multiple studies have found that people who have positive relationships with their family, friends, and community are happier and tend to live longer. Some studies have even gone as far to conclude that social belongingness is just as important as physical survival needs, such as food and shelter. Friends make life more fun This might not be a mind-blowing revelation, but friends bring an abundant amount of happiness to our lives. While I’m sure you can find enjoyment doing certain things solo, I’d argue that most things are more fun when you do it with someone else. There’s an unexplainable joy that comes from sharing experiences with people we care about. Studies have shown, including this one conducted back in 2011, that having meaningful social relationships affects our neurobiological endogenous opioid system (think endorphins), triggering the part of the brain that makes us feel good. Simply put, connecting and interacting with our friends gives us happy feelings. Ever caught up with an old friend, then felt really good afterwards? Those are your endorphins kicking in, telling you that what you just did is healthy for your emotional and physical health! So, no matter what stage of life you’re in, make it a priority to get out and do things with your friends. Whether it’s a quick phone call or grabbing lunch, keep your friends close and remember to have fun!