From Gym Avoider to Half-Marathon Finisher

At Big Sky, we love seeing our members accomplish things they once thought were out of reach. Just ask Gianna M. She’s continuing her weight loss progress and successfully completing 13.1 miles injury-free—thanks to the expert coaching and encouragement she’s found working with Coach Ryan at Big Sky Simsbury.

“I first met with Ryan for my initial consultation in late April 2025. I had already started my health, weight loss, and fitness journey several months prior, but I knew that, as someone who was trying to both preserve and build as much muscle as possible while continuing to lose weight, as well as progress my running into more long-distance territory without injury, that I needed to incorporate strength training into my regimen. The only problem was that, as a lifelong and chronic avoider of the gym, I had no idea where to start.

After training with Ryan for the past six months, I can confidently say that I made the right choice to work with him and have seen great results! I have lost another 35 pounds and have gained strength, confidence, and knowledge. From the beginning, Ryan has been incredibly friendly and approachable, which made it easy to feel comfortable sharing my fitness goals and challenges. He took the time to understand what I wanted to achieve, and assured me that I would walk away from each class having completed a solid full-body workout, and he was right! Each group session felt intentionally planned, and Ryan consistently provided modifications that kept every workout both realistic for my current ability level and motivating. I especially appreciate that he has never been judgmental about my weight or fitness level. He met me where I was in my journey and helped me build from there.

Ryan has a great balance of encouragement and accountability. He knows when to push and when to focus on form or recovery, which has made my workouts both safe and effective. I have learned a lot about proper technique thanks to his attention to detail, which was very important to me. Furthermore, Ryan provides his clients with monthly strength homework and check-ins that include specific exercises to practice on the days you’re working out on your own. The strength homework has really helped keep me consistent and motivated. I also appreciate that Ryan helped me improve my running by recommending effective cross-training machines and complementary workouts. I’ve now successfully run and completed a half-marathon, and am looking forward to training for a full marathon in the future, while continuing to utilize all the skills and habits that Ryan helped me build!

Overall, Ryan is an excellent trainer who genuinely cares about his clients’ progress. He makes every group session productive, positive, and tailored to my goals, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, motivating, and supportive trainer.”

Gianna’s story is proof that you don’t have to be a “gym person” to achieve incredible things—and that the right support can help you go from avoiding the gym to crossing marathon finish lines you once thought were out of reach.

Thank you, Gianna, for being a part of the Big Sky family!