Jessica Sharpe

This month we are celebrating a client who goes above and beyond for the Fierce community, Kristen Kozik! Her presence, dedication, and overall selflessness contribute to our Fierce45® community, especially at the Hilltop Studio. ❤ She has made such an impact on the studio and clients around her! From witnessing her offer to give up her machine for clients on the waitlist or who have signed up for the wrong class to offering to demo our Badass wall at the studio (check out the new and improved Hilltop Studio!), her kind heart and generosity do not go unnoticed!

Kristen and her husband Jeremy created Copper Kettle Brewing Company in 2011 as a start-up, expanding from a 3 BBL (126 gallons/batch) to 15 BBL (630 gallons/batch) system, from 1,500 sq ft. to 10,000 sq ft. and from no distribution to distributing in bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout the state of Colorado, Florida, South Carolina and mail order through Tavour in Washington State. They started brewing beer in their garage in North Carolina and moved to Colorado to start up the company, winning multiple awards in their 10+ years in business, including two gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival, the largest beer fest in the United States. To date, they have brewed well over 700 types of beer and always have something new on tap. Kristen is also very active in philanthropy, frequently donating to nonprofits through special events at their brewery.

Copper Kettle Brewing Company is a neighborhood tasting room with local food trucks and bands, selling pints, cans, bottles, and kegs via their taproom located at 1338 S. Valentia Street, Unit 100 Denver, CO 80247 (major cross streets: Mississippi and Parker Road). Support Kristen this month by visiting her brewery, Copper Kettle Brewing Co!

1. How long have you been coming to Fierce45?

   I HAVE BEEN COMING TO FIERCE45 SINCE HAVING MY SECOND CHILD IN 2018

2. Favorite move on the machine?

   MY FAVORITE MOVE (WHICH I SECRETIVELY HATE) IS KNEELING SIDE SPRINTER

3. How has Fierce made a positive impact on your life?

   AFTER HAVING TWO CHILDREN, I FELT LIKE I COULD NOT GET MY ENERGY BACK AND WAS AFRAID THAT I’D NEVER HAVE TONE AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AT FIERCE, I WAS ABLE TO SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN MY BODY AND ENERGY LEVEL. MANY WOMEN LOSE THEMSELVES AFTER HAVING CHILDREN, BUT FIERCE GAVE ME BACK MY CONFIDENCE NOT ONLY FOR MY BODY BUT TO FEEL LIKE I WAS TRULY TAKING TIME FOR MYSELF. I AM IN MY 40S AND NEVER FELT STRONGER DESPITE BEING ACTIVE MY WHOLE LIFE. 

4. Why do you choose Fierce over another workout?

   I CHOOSE FIERCE BECAUSE OF THE CUSTOMIZED ADJUSTMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE INSTRUCTORS GIVE TO ENSURE YOU ARE SAFE ON THE MACHINE PROTECTING YOUR JOINTS AS WELL AS MAXIMIZING THE INTENSITY OF YOUR WORKOUT. YOU CAN ALWAYS ADAPT IF NEEDED, BUT CAN ALSO PUSH YOURSELF NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU COME TO CLASS. EACH INSTRUCTOR IS UNIQUE IN THEIR TEACHING STYLE AND ALWAYS CHALLENGING. NEW MOVES ARE OFTEN INTRODUCED AND ALWAYS LEAD TO A FULL BODY WORKOUT UNLIKE NO OTHER

5. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   I USED TO LIVE ON A 30-FOOT SAILBOAT IN THE BAHAMAS IN MY 20’S

This month we are thrilled to celebrate Sarah Bassett as our July Coach of the Month! She is a true team player – whether that means jumping in to help with subs, or going down YouTube rabbit holes to become an AV tech overnight – all of her hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. Her playlists are 🔥🔥🔥 and everyone loves her classes. All in all, she is a true rock star and we are so lucky to have Sarah on our coaching staff.

Instagram: sarah_elizabethba

Spotify name: I can be found on Spotify with just my full name, Sarah Bassett, or with my very short and sweet username, 22lb4emzt3xpe6yzrgp3mzeoy 😂

Teaching schedule: Wednesday morning at 6 and 7 am at the Cherry Hills studio | Friday morning at 6:30 and 7:30 am at the Rino studio

1. How long have you been teaching at Fierce45?

   I’ve been teaching at Fierce since the fall of 2019 and have been hooked ever since!

2. What are three words to describe your classes?

   Three words to describe my classes are challenging, nostalgic, and loud! I love pushing clients to their full potential to 90’s hip hop turned all the way up 😎

3. What is your favorite move on the machine?

   My absolute favorite move is one we all love to hate… kneeling side sprinter! It’s so challenging but I love the little extra core engagement tacked on to the outer booty burn 🔥

4. What is your favorite thing about the Fierce45 community?

   The support, encouragement, and friendship I’ve gained from coaches and clients is my favorite thing about being a part of the Fierce community. The connections I’ve made over the years are irreplaceable and I am so grateful for the wonderful people I have in my life because of it.

5. Why do you love teaching at Fierce45?

   I love teaching because it gives me the opportunity to unplug from the chaos going on outside of the studio; focusing on the music and the energy clients bring into the room is an escape from my busy day-to-day schedule. I love watching clients grow in their strength and confidence with the machine – being a part of their escape is an honor ❤️

6. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   A fun fact about me is my bizarre choice of a career outside of Fierce. I’m currently in graduate school to earn my degree in forensic psychology and have been working as a death investigator for the Denver County Medical Examiner. I love it!! I love the look of shock on people’s faces when they ask what I do outside of the studio, it’s truly the most unique experience! I’ve also been bitten by an iguana and have a teensy lil bit of iguana tooth living in my finger rent-free 🦎

7. Besides Fierce45, what are 3 of your favorite things?

   Three of my favorite things aside from Fierce are my perfect little chihuahua (he is very cute I promise), my best friend Nikki, and my partner Josh who just updated my title to FIANCÉ! ❤️ Without the love I have surrounding me from the three of them I wouldn’t be where I am today and I cannot thank them enough for the impact they continue to have on my life.

This month we are beyond thrilled to celebrate one of our OG members, Kristy Teigen! Kristy is such a bright, yet calming presence and a total Fierce Baddie on the machine! We look forward to celebrating her 900th class with her, which is just around the corner!

1. How long have you been coming to Fierce45?  

   Oh man, I have no clue how long I’ve been a member!  Long enough to see teachers, studios and masks come and go!  Also, long enough to realize that modifying and listening to my body is gold. 

2. Favorite move on the machine?  

   Hmm, favorite is a great word for this… are any of them fun?!?  I prefer heavy front lunge or heavy carriage lunge and love a good kneeling rotator cuff extension.

3. How has Fierce made a positive impact on your life?  

   My body strength and body tone.  It’s also definitely my therapy and I love how you can work through both physical and mental situations on the machine.  Also, the teachers are fantastic! They are professional and fun.  It’s a great place to come and escape the stuff that gets loud outside of the studio.

4. Why do you choose Fierce over another workout?  

   I’ve always done a variety of workouts to keep my body guessing, but the noticeable changes I’ve seen in my body from Fierce, I haven’t gotten anywhere else.  It NEVER gets easier and keeps me guessing with workouts never being the same. I need that because I get bored easily.

5. Tell us a fun fact about you!  

   I suffer from road rage… it’s not my greatest quality, but the struggle is real. ☺️

By: Arnica Lande

Summertime and the living’s easy…and inconsistent. With trips, social events, and the outdoors calling, it’s often difficult to find in-studio time to devote to ourselves on the machine. Falling out of routine isn’t always a bad thing, though, especially if the things replacing our time fill our cup in different ways. Rather than becoming frustrated or down about not hitting the usual 5 Fierce classes per week, shift the perspective: does the camp trip bring you joy? What about the once in a lifetime wedding celebration for your best friend or sibling? Even the outdoor patio drink on a late summer night watching the sunset can be soul reviving. Giving grace and space to fluctuate during times of schedule disruption is important, which is why we love the Fierce45 Summer Challenge. With just 25 classes in 9 weeks (that’s 2-3 classes per week), it’s an opportunity to hold yourself accountable this summer while still taking advantage of all the season has to offer.

While shifting perspective and working to get classes in, when possible, it can be helpful to understand the benefits of rest days. A rest day allows the muscles to recover after you spend 45 minutes tearing them down. When they heal on a rest day, they build back stronger. This takes time, but it’s why you hear people stress the importance of recovery days and how they allow your body to get stronger, faster. When planning your weeks this summer, schedule your classes around the Saturday picnic or the weekday evening happy hour and take those days off as conscious rest days. When you decide ahead of time that you won’t be working out on those days, it can be conducive to your health and wellness goals and allow you to better enjoy the summer and all it has to offer.

Cutting back on weekly classes, you may also feel the effects of DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Stiffness. It can take 48-72 hours to feel after your Fierce workout, and often after some time away, is a humble reminder of the efficacy of the method. So, when you take a week off for summer vacation, have your first class back scheduled and feel the effects for several days, a solid reminder of the effectiveness of the workout.

Ultimately, the 10 months of the year we spend in mostly regular workout regimen prepares us for all the summer fun. We can cut back if needed on in-studio time to play outside, using our Fierce muscles we’ve built up, or to relax on vacation and play with the family. This is when the hard work pays off and we experience firsthand the benefits of Fierce. So, sign up for the Summer Challenge, celebrate your strength all summer long, and then party with us in September (date TBD!) at the end of it all.

This month we are celebrating a coach and the LoHi Studio Manager, Arnica Lande! Arnica contributes so much to our Fierce team and community. She is attentive and caring to each client she interacts with, her classes are fun, engaging, hard, well thought out and a perfect treat for anyone’s day. She is such a great leader, coach, and teammate. Our community simply wouldn’t be the same without her!

Instagram handle: @thearnicaflower

Spotify name: Arnica Lande

Teaching schedule: Mondays 11/12pm RiNo, Tuesdays 10:30/12pm WWP, Wednesdays 7/8am LoHi, Thursdays 2/4/5pm LoHi, Fridays 8:30/9:30 RiNo

1. How long have you been teaching at Fierce45?

   Since August, 2018 (almost 4 years!)

2. Three words to describe your classes.

   Motivating, Challenging, Dynamic

3. Favorite move on the machine?

   Carriage Skater (outer gluts, please!!)

4. What is your favorite thing about the Fierce45 community?

   No matter what mood I’m in, when I walk into the studio and see the Fierce Fam, my spirits are lifted. Since day 1 it’s been a safe and supportive space.

5. Why do you love teaching at Fierce45?

   The community! Friendships with clients, coaches, and the management team has been the absolute best.

6. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   I was named after a wildflower! “Arnica Montana” (I grew up in Montana, too). My mom was hiking when she was 19 and came across a field of Arnica flowers – they look like yellow daisy’s – and said if she ever had a daughter, she would name her Arnica.

7. Besides Fierce45, what are 3 of your favorite things?

   Hiking, Reading, and any kind of travel. Always up for an adventure!

Andrea is one of our amazing RiNo members and a fabulous artist! Her presence, dedication, and beautiful artwork contribute to our Fierce45® community, especially at RiNo. ❤ She is such a bright, yet calming presence and we look forward to celebrating her 100th class with her, which is just around the corner! Check out Andrea’s artwork – @zen.af.artworks.

1. How long have you been coming to Fierce45?

   I’ve been coming to fierce since July 2021.

2. What is your favorite move on the machine?

   Heavy lateral lunge is my fav!

3. How has Fierce made a positive impact on your life?

   Other than having a butt for the first time in my life,😆 I am so much stronger, and I can lift, pack and set up my festival booths by myself!! 

4. Why do you choose Fierce over another workout?

   Fierce is so efficient and the perfect complement to my yoga practice. Also, I may be slightly addicted! 

5. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   I have synesthesia and experience sensations in my body as color, so movement is a form of therapy that I later translate into paintings. 

By: Arnica Lande

At Fierce45, one practice is essential in order to work out in a safe and effective way: Align, Engage, then Move. Every exercise is set up like this, and there’s a big reason align comes first. Aligning correctly first provides the foundation for any effective movement. Without proper alignment, we risk injury by building muscle stability and mobility imbalances. While moving in proper alignment demands more focus and presence throughout the exercise, oftentimes making the movement more challenging, we know that’s when we grow the most and become our strongest selves. The same is true in our daily lives: when we align with our own core principles, we’re able to live our most fulfilled life.  

It can be hard to take a step back and figure out what constitutes our core beliefs. Slowing down and taking time in your days to build upon those foundational values will help you feel aligned and provide space to grow. If you’re feeling confused and aren’t sure what your core values are, there are a few things you can do to help create space and better understand those beliefs. 

Spring clean. Sorting through the clutter in your home, office, and car can yield big results. When we clear out the old, we innately make space for new growth. Sorting through your closet, kitchen items, and general items that are no longer of use to you is a good place to start. Donate to an organization that helps those in need, an act that may even align with your own core belief system.  

Write it out. When we get our thoughts out on paper, it can be helpful in reaching a conclusion. Whether it’s stream of consciousness writing about your short-term and long-term goals, or a list of the most important things in your life (ie. Family, health, travel), putting pen to paper never ceases to aid in self-discovery and understanding.  

Invest in yourself. Living life is expensive, especially in our current day and age. If we want a premium product, we pay a premium cost. Sort out what’s important to you based on your values and decide what investing in yourself means. Maybe it’s setting aside a travel fund to visit friends and family, or finally committing to the Fierce membership you’ve wanted to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. When you invest in the things that are important to you, you feel aligned with your best self.  

If we can make daily decisions rooted in our core values, we are guaranteed to find success by way of growth toward goals, or maybe even better – in ways we didn’t know were possible. By making choices that align with our truest self, we create a foundation to build new successes upon, propelling us towards our goals. 

Hannah has been an absolute light in the studio for each of her 747 classes!. She shows up with her best self in each class, is ready to work hard, and has greatly contributed to the Fierce community through the years. 🧡💛

1. How long have you been coming to Fierce45?

   Since July 2015! Coming up on 7 years…time flies

2. Favorite move on the machine?

   I’m sure it comes as no surprise to the coaches who know me, but I love a good arm block. So, I’d have to say my favorite move is rotator cuff extension

3. How has Fierce made a positive impact on your life?

   I discovered Fierce during a particularly low point in my life, and it completely transformed me. Not only did it enhance my physical and mental health, but it opened me up to a new community full of kind, supportive people. I’m eternally grateful for the friends I’ve made here.

4. Why do you choose Fierce over another workout?

   Fierce consistently challenges me and pushes me to new limits. I have a few lingering injuries from years of tennis, and this high intensity/low impact workout allows me to safely and effectively build strength & stamina

5. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   There is a character in a mystery novel named after me

This month we are excited to celebrate Leah! She truly shows UP every single time she steps into Fierce to either take class or teach it. She bring such positive energy and we love that we can always catch her smiling throughout class.

Instagram handle: @leahbiabia

Spotify name: Leah Sugai

Teaching schedule: Wednesdays @ 530/630p, Hilltop & Every other Sunday @ 8/9/10a, WWP

1. How long have you been teaching at Fierce45?

   2.5 Years

2. Three words to describe your classes.

   Energetic, Positive, Supportive

3. Favorite move on the machine?

   Platform Lunge

4. What is your favorite thing about the Fierce45 community?

   My favorite thing about the Fierce45 community is it has created a space where we can find one commonality to connect on despite all our differences.

5. Why do you love teaching at Fierce45?

   I love teaching at Fierce45 because I am constantly inspired in so many ways. Teaching has been transformative for me as a human. I am continually humbled by the client’s dedication to show up for themselves. This, in turn, motivates and pushes me to be a strong leader who strives to produce a quality experience in every class.

6. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   I am an international adoptee!

7. Besides Fierce45, what are 3 of your favorite things?

   Hanging out with my dog Finch, getting out of my comfort zone, & rainbow sprinkles

This month we are celebrating a client who brings pure sunshine and joy into the studios. She has been a member since September 2021 and consistently shows up ready to work hard. We are so grateful to have Karima as such an integral part of our Fierce community!

1. How long have you been coming to Fierce45?

   I have been coming to Fierce since September of 2021!

2. Favorite move on the machine?

   Honestly, Carriage Lunge. I struggled so hard with my balance at first, so when I finally got it down it was so satisfying!

3. How has Fierce made a positive impact on your life?

   It has made working with my toddlers easier on my body – also, my sleep and mood have improved tremendously! I walk out of class feeling like a boss every time.

4. Why do you choose Fierce over another workout?

   Having a group of ladies around me working so hard for their bodies is intensely motivating. Also, I love the instructors! They’re so kind and always create a really positive atmosphere.

5. Tell us a fun fact about you!

   I’m a huge Korean Pop fan and have memorized the choreography to dozens of songs!