Charlie came to us in December of 2021 looking for a gym that gave him as much joy as his home gym in Colorado. After experiencing our workouts and community, he hands down found his Fort Worth home gym. He loved it so much he convinced his wife, Libby, to give it a shot. She admits it was intimated in the beginning but now has grown confident and encourages others to “just get started!” You can find both dominating their workouts in classes and going after their goals full throttle. Read more about them below.
What brought you to enduraLAB?
CHARLIE: We had a gym in Denver that we loved and had a similar philosophy to enduraLAB - our physical fitness became a big priority for us & we loved going to the gym together. Fred Closuit told me to check out enduraLAB when we moved back to Fort Worth in January 2022 and I have been hooked ever since!
LIBBY: Charlie!! He had been trying to convince me to give it a try since we moved to Fort Worth, but to be honest I was pretty intimidated. I finally stopped bouncing around to other gyms and joined him in August 2022 and have absolutely loved it!
What did your workout routine look like before joining the LAB?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: We have always emphasized living an active lifestyle, which came easily in Denver with hiking, skiing, running, mountain biking and all that living in CO had to offer. In addition, we had a gym that we loved in Denver (small plug for Alchemy 365 :) that really emphasized functional fitness to fuel your life, and enjoyed the workouts, the people, and the outlet it provided.
What is your favorite thing about working out together at the LAB?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: It’s fun to be able to meet each other at the gym after a long, crazy day and push each other during the workouts!
What healthy changes have you made since joining the LAB?
CHARLIE: Putting an emphasis on recovery & nutrition has been huge - I have noticed real improvements in my performance once I started focusing more on those 2 things.
LIBBY: Same for me! I have been much more conscious of mobility and have made sure to prioritize good fuel.
Tell us what you do outside of the LAB?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: Unfortunately (fortunately?!) we are both in a season where we are working a lot (working on more balance!) Aside from that, we love being back in DFW near our families and love to stay busy & active getting out to grab drinks on a patio, cruising the neighborhood with our dogs, or finding new, fun things to do in FW.
How have you grown as an athlete since joining the LAB? Brag a little.
CHARLIE: After previously being more endurance-focused, strength has grown big time for me.
LIBBY: I’d say I am more well-rounded overall - I am finally tackling lifts that used to intimidate me - and finally able to chip through some strict pull-ups as well!
What is a goal you have set for yourself in the next 6 months?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: Personally, we both want to focus on achieving a better/work-life balance. Charlie is going for a deadlift PR of 450 this year, so working on steps toward that and also starting to learn Portuguese. Libby is prioritizing (finally) learning double-unders & would love to hit 10 unbroken strict pull-ups.
What is your favorite enduraLAB event or program?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: Saturday partner workouts are always fun when we make it to be able to work out together. We missed Night of the Living Deadlift this year, but looking forward to it next fall!
What advice would you have for a new person starting at enduraLAB?
CHARLIE: Make sure you introduce yourself to people - everyone has been so nice and welcoming and it’s fun to be able to connect with people in the gym.
LIBBY: Don’t compare yourself to other people - just get started! And make sure you track your progress!
If we had a workout in honor of you, what would it be called and what would it consist of?
CHARLIE: I’m not sure what it would be called, but would definitely have running, deadlifts, squats and bicep curls 😎
LIBBY: We’ll need to work on the name - but some sort of workout full of burpees, pull-ups, front squats & know it would NOT have wall balls, burpees to target or double unders. 😵💫
Favorite treat meal/restaurant in D/FW?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: SO many - Tini’s margs & tenderloin tacos, Olivella’s pizza is basically a weekly occurrence, and love everything at Salsa Limon & Heim.
Current read / podcast?
CHARLIE: I am not currently reading it but “A Man’s Search for Meaning" is a favorite and should be required reading for everyone. For podcasts, I am a big Tim Ferris fan. And for Spanish speakers, check out Dementes.
LIBBY: I am a big podcast girl - really anything true crime + I also love Armchair Expert & Smartless. Book-wise, am usually picking up one of Charlie's leftover business books or reading some mindless fiction.
Pump up song?
CHARLIE & LIBBY: We pretty much listen to all the same music - don’t have a specific pump-up vibe but have been really into throwing it back to 90’s country and Morgan Wallen these days.
Any final words or thoughts?
CHARLIE: As a fellow Fort Worth-based small business owner, it’s been so inspiring to see enduraLAB thrive and really look up to Lee & Isis and all they have built & accomplished. In addition, a special shoutout to the coaches who make each class a fun & personal break in our day. Especially Blake, who we have had the most classes with. He makes it such a point to make a connection with everyone in class every day and can really turn a stressful day around and make our time at enduraLAB a bright spot in the day!
