Success Stories Archives - Brilliant Fitness and Nutrition

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

She re-introduced me to stretching and a new way to create strength.

After 24 years in the US Army, 21 of which was in Special Operations Forces, I was muscular and strong, yet incredibly tense and bound up. I had only a percentage of my range of motion in my major joints. This affected how I ran, how I lifted, even how I slept. When I met Ashleigh Gass at MOVE, she re-introduced me to stretching and a new way to create strength, and through working with her, my body began to respond and “open back up”. A great example of the benefit was after working on my chest and shoulders, it seemed as if my chest opened up after many years, allowing me to take in a full breath. The feeling of being able to move again has allowed me to increase my workloads while still getting the requisite rest I need to grow and maintain my body at 52 years old. Tim Burke Founder, The Tactical...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

I can move freely again

I met Ashleigh Gass in Tampa Florida in November of 2017 and conducted several training session with her. I learned several principle, techniques and exercises that positively changed my quality of life and the way I train. I am a Special Forces Soldier with 21 years in the Army and 12 combat deployments. During my time in 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) I have received three purple hearts for injuries sustained during deployments in Afghanistan. One was from a large blast injury and the other two from sustaining bullet wounds to the right hand, buttocks, right leg and right back area. These injuries have left me with severe mobility, and pain issues, in my leg, right shoulder and back. My back become such an issue in 2016 that I ended up in a wheel chair temporary. After training with Ashley I have started to incorporate much more body weight, stability, mobility and gymnastics exercises into my workout regime. I have started to incorporate Jefferson Curls and back bridging exercises...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

My confidence and smile are back. I feel great!!

Proper State of Mind… I started working with Ashleigh at the beginning of April, 2015. I had been inthe gym since my 46th birthday in late February of that same year; the reasons for going back were simple… I recently turned another year older; I was out of shape and going downhill physically, as well as mentally. And to top it off, 3 of my friends called me fat…. I have always had a sports background. I like endurance training and sports such as long distance cycling and running. But the further I went down the path I was on, the more I started disliking those activities that I once loved and made me happy. I started working out with an old program that I had some success with 6 years prior that helped me lose 40 pounds and gave me the strength to run a half marathon and complete a double century. This time, after a month or so, I simply wanted help. That is when I approached...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

I got this!

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Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

My Quality of Life is Better Than It’s Been in Years

In September, 2012, I was referred to Ashleigh. For a few years, I'd really been having challenges. Kidney transplant in 2005, hysterectomy in 2011, years of immune compromise, with a frozen shoulder to boot. At that time, I was also on full dose medications for infections, chronic shoulder and neck pain, and an immunosuppressant drug called "Prograf". Ash dove in and did numerous assessments, in addition to communicating with my doctor. Nutritionally, we changed a fair bit and really worked to boost my immune system. On the training front, we did a lot of injury prevention work while also improving my overall strength. She referred me to Dr. Joe Giovatto, who did my A.R.T soft tissue work on the side, making a huge difference with the shoulder. I am eternally grateful for their work - the only option presented to me by my physical therapist was a surgical procedure called "manipulation under anaesthesia", because my shoulder "wasn't getting better". Thanks god I didn't take that path. This shoulder injury...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

Newly Retired from Sedentary Professions

A year ago, we were 63 and newly retired from sedentary professions. I had trained for and participated in sprint triathlons and we both love golf and biking. We were in good health. However, we wanted to ensure a long, active retirement and we were pretty sure we weren’t doing it on our own. Then we found Ashleigh. The process started with an evaluation during which Ashleigh surprised us by identifying problem areas. My back and hip were vulnerable, I was beginning to use my arms to assist myself up stairs and I was suffering greatly with plantar fasciitis, seeing both a chiropractor and orthopedic doctors. Scott had shoulder, back and elbow issues and was beginning to stoop forward toward the “widows hump” that plagues his mother. He also had such tight ham strings that he could not squat or lunge. We thought we were in great shape, but it turned out we needed help. Ashleigh designed our workouts to start with rolling and stretching for areas that needed therapy and needed protection. Then she added strength exercises...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

Deadlift Convert

I am the last person who would have considered adding deadlifting to my exercise program. I always thought that this movement was actually detrimental to a person’s health. It seemed to me that it would place a great deal of strain on a person’s low back area. I just couldn't see any benefit to it. I have personally had low back issues over the years, so for me to incorporate deadlifting in my workout regimen was never even a consideration. But in working with my coach, Ashleigh Gass, a highly successful fitness competitor as well as an awesome strength and conditioning coach, I have found deadlifting to be an excellent addition to my workouts. I have found that the deadlift has greatly improved my lower body strength as well as my overall body strength. I also found that my concerns regarding my low back being adversely affected were unfounded. Ashleigh explained to me that if proper form were utilized, I wouldn't have a problem. With Ashleigh’s expertise as my...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

Ashleigh literally saved my life.

It was June, 2012, when I began working with Ashleigh. At that time, I was approximately 50lbs overweight, and my blood work resembled that of a diabetic with brewing cardiovascular disease. Additionally, I'd been struggling with a chronic inflammatory process in my throat, which prevented me from being able to breathe properly. Numerous doctors had fallen short of helping me with these conditions, so I was simply prescribed powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. My next step was to go to the Mayo Clinic. Within 2 weeks of meeting Ashleigh, I'd completely changed my diet based on her nutritional education program. Her training methods turned my body around quickly and I began getting all my strength back. My throat began clearing up, and within one month was 80% clear. Now, 5 months later, I've lost 36 pounds, 7 inches off my waist, approximately 10% body fat, and gained a substantial amount of muscle mass. My blood work has completely reversed, I am no longer pre-diabetic and all of my cardiovascular indicators have moved into...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

I was reverting back to unhealthy eating and wasn’t exercising enough.

I started working with Ashleigh after I regained 12 of the 25 pounds I had lost…I was reverting back to unhealthy eating and wasn't exercising enough. She’s been a treasure to work with… very encouraging while she pushes me to get stronger and leaner. Ashleigh works with people and pays attention to their physical injuries and limitations. She is almost finished with her master’s degree in nutrition, and we have many conversations about food and how to make small changes every week to add more healthy foods to my diet and eliminate the junk. I did not diet or deprive myself, and I've lost over 20 pounds since we've worked together. Everyone needs someone to be accountable to on a weight loss journey, and Ash is a trainer who understands if you don’t change the way you eat, you won’t get the body transformation you want. I highly recommend hiring Ashleigh if you want your best body ever! Patty M. MBA, RD,...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

She has opened our eyes…

A few years ago, I had the privilege of taking an 8 weeks to wellness class at work trained by Ashleigh. Some of it did stick with me and then I noticed with work, my lifestyle went non-existent including eating right. I took the information out that Ashleigh gave us and created check off lists for us to do to get back on track and then started going to Ashleigh for training. We plan on continuing training with Ashleigh and she has inspired us to not only clean up and organize our kitchen but to de-clutter and organize our home and life. We have gotten some family members eating better as well and feel so much better about ourselves! She has opened our eyes to eating quality foods, not by quantity or calories. Thanks Ashleigh!! Vickie and Paul Massmann Clearwater,...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

I lost 12 pounds in a month with just a few changes to what I was eating.

I met Ashleigh through a business networking group. I would watch her eat a salad she brought in for breakfast and thought, I'm not sitting next to her, and I will never eat a salad in the morning! Growing up in an Italian-American family...we love cooking and eating! My family's whole life revolves around having family and friends over to try the new foods my father has created!! Ashleigh has been a guest speaker at my place of employment at McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan, and P.A. We had over 30 people in attendance, including my parents. Ashleigh spoke about basic nutrition, and which foods will keep you satisfied, help your body be stronger, and work on getting lean. This is where she shared what was in "the salad". We all looked at each other and thought, we can totally do this. The next day I ate salad for breakfast! It was awesome. I lost 12 pounds in a month with just a few changes to what I...

Posted by Ashleigh Gass in Success Stories

Super energized and ready to attack my next fitness challenge!

Both Ashleigh's workout plans and nutrition tips were basic and extremely effective. I came to visit and live with Ashleigh for one week over spring break and felt that I needed a total overhaul of my life habits. In one week I went from feeling sluggish and stuck in a fitness routine that wasn't working to losing 6 lbs and feeling super energized and ready to attack my next fitness challenge! Shannon Ogilvie British Columbia,...

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