When Energy Pilates & Fitness’, Lance Corporal Michael G. Medina was asked to write a bio for the Energy website he said, “I don’t know what to say… can’t we just say, I’m a nice guy?” and that would have been an accurate description of this humble, unassuming former Marine; but we didn’t think it would do him justice.

With all the stories that are heard of military vets returning home feeling disenfranchised or with battle scares, we wanted to highlight this Marine’s re-entry.  After enlisting in the USMC at the age of 17, 2 tours in Afghanistan, Michael returned home: safe and sound.  No matter where Michael was deployed, no matter how far around the world he served, Michael didn’t forget who he was, or where his roots were.  Michael is a proud Minnesotan who was born and raised in Woodbury; his parents instilled our Great State’s work ethic and dedication for what we believe in.  Michael choose to serve, protect and defend our country and it’s liberties; and when he returned home it was with a sense of accomplishment and pride in what he had done.

Michael is no different than any other veteran who has served in our country’s military: they give of themselves and put themselves in harm’s way, so we don’t have to.  Today we spotlight and salute Lance Corporal Michael G. Medina so that we can help put a name and a face to these individuals who make our lives safer. 

We see Michael everyday at Energy and sometimes forget what his life use to be because he has become one of our team and he gives of his time so freely; but that's who he is…

Lance Corporal Michael G. Medina’s Marine style Bootcamp is an exclusive at Energy Pilates & Fitness.

Dr. Julie England, MD., Energy’s Medical Director is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician and an exercise aficionado in her own right.  Julie’s Teacher Training Anatomy Classes are geared towards Fitness Instructors; she knows how to explain anatomy in easy to understand language, because that’s what she does every day in her local Urgent Care Practice.  Julie teaches the “Science of Exercise Physiology” to instructors-in-training creating functional anatomy classes; you will learn proper form, technique, alignment and breathing principles so that you are able to teach in a way your students will hear and understand what is being said, so that they will be able to implement safety principles during their exercise programs. 

Energy isn’t a big box gym that cranks out certificates and leaves you on your own.  We are a boutique exercise facility that prides itself on knowing your name, listening to your concerns, teaching you safe exercise technique, encouraging your continued growth and offering a wide variety of exercise formats to choose from, so you cross train your muscle groups and avoid injury. Energy’s training never stops - from the first day you walk into Energy our hands on instruction technique begins; our knowledgeable staff welcomes you and is there to support you.  We pride ourselves on having quality instructors who are willing to give you quality time anytime you have a question; Energy’s instructors are there to encourage your growth forward.  All our instructors were beginners once, and we don’t forget what that feels like.  We are all available to answer any questions you have and give you the guidance you need so that you are successful in your teaching.

And most importantly, Debra Tourek's utmost goal is to inspire you to great health through fitness while having Fun!    

Long before I moved to China the second time… before Jennifer had kids and when I had a moustache, I use to see Jennifer every week on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm.  She taught a class right before my evening yoga class and her class always ran over time.  At first Vicki and I would stand in Karate USA, as it was called back then, look at each other, then the clock and say when is she going to wrap that class up; after a couple weeks of being subtle we would just storm in at 6:25 and Jennifer would chuckle and say we gotta cool down because the next class is here.  No matter how much noise Vicki and I would make as we barged in, Jennifer would always be smiling as we chatted while I turned off her eardrum bursting music and changed the mood to a nice funereal yoga beat.  Jennifer would always tell me how she should really take one of my yoga classes because her hams were soooo tight.  Having watched her cool down week after week, I would agree: her hams were tight as a drum.

One day she shyly came into my Thursday morning yoga class and begged me to be gentle with her since she had no flexibility.  I told her to stay right by me Honey… there is always room next to the teacher.  She grunted and groaned; and man did she ever sweat; I kept throwing towels under her down dog to help mop up some of her puddles; she’d grunt thanks!

Life goes on and our Tuesday-Thursday ‘get togethers’ continued.  I finally got her trained to watch the clock; Vicki and I didn’t need to make so much noise.

Len came home from work one day and said you will never believe what my boss asked me today – I knew immediately we were on our way back to Shanghai.  One of the last times I talked to Jennifer before leaving for China she told me she was pregnant and due in December; I told her I couldn’t believe what she was saying because my sister was pregnant and due in December as well!  In 2 years they would both have 1½ year olds when I got back.

The 2 year assignment in China became a 3 year assignment, and then I returned to Woodbury…

To help get over the jet lag and to keep my body moving since I wasn’t walking as much as I did in Shanghai, I jumped right into Debra’s Push classes.  It was a great way to wring out all the travel blues, sweat and see my EPF friends from long ago.  In classes I would see someone and know I knew them, but just not able to remember their name – after 3 years I did have a bit of an excuse…  One day Jennifer came into Push and said WAYNE!!!! I’ve missed you so much!  I haven’t taken a yoga class since you left!  I said, “I’m back”.  She replied, “but none of your classes have childcare.”  I sort of paused… thought… it was starting to come back to me… did she have a baby?  Through the fog I thought, yea, that’s right, I think she was pregnant when I left like my sister.  She said, “2 babies”, WOW was all I could say.  We chatted a bit before Debra arrived with her famous “SQUAT!!!!!”

The next week I went to Push and saw Jennifer again.  I could tell she was being incognito because she wasn’t wearing any makeup and her hair was a little more combed than her usual Push instructor look.  We were talking for about 5 minutes and I asked how old were her kids and what were their names.  Afterwards, I paused a moment and said you look great after having 2 kids; how close to your deliver date did you teach?  She said I’m Jonelle, Jennifer’s twin sister, I don’t teach….  That’s right I think I knew Jennifer had a twin, but I don’t think I had ever met her “pre-China”, they really are identical twins.

A couple weeks later I was at Home Depot walking towards check out and I saw Jennifer, then I thought maybe it’s Jonelle?  She wasn’t wearing makeup, but she sort of responded like Jennifer [well they both respond like Jennifer, er, I mean Jonelle] I sort of squinted and said is that you?  She said it’s me…  We both laughed and said, “I can’t believe I’m running into you here!?”

A few days later I was at Target Super Store and looked up from my shopping list; again… Is that you?  It’s me!  As we were talking I glanced down at Jennifer’s shopping cart and saw organic green beans, whole wheat bread, fresh eggs [the expensive one’s] and said you really eat healthy as I pointed to all her organic foods.  Just then I saw something red and shiny tucked away underneath something organic and pull back the corner just enough and saw "100% Double Cream Whipped Cream", she sort of smiled and squirmed, saying it’s for the kids…  Then I saw a HUGE “Value Pack” containing at least 500 Oreo’s Double Stuff!  I start pulling back more and more of her ‘organic’ food and saw boxes and bags of junk food.  I could see her face flush slightly and she started to stammer saying, "oh these are for Justin… and these are for Jonelle, I’m buying these as a treat for Debra…" I turned to her and said I love them too!  We pushed our carts to a back corner of the store, sat on the floor and opened the bag of Oreo Double Stuff; I pulled a gallon of milk out of my cart and we passed it back and forth.  I said ‘life is good!’  We had probably gone through ¾ a gallon of milk and 300 Oreos when Jennifer hears "Mama!" and jumps to her feet and says OMG I need to get home! Justin is waiting for me!!!  BYE!

A couple weeks later I was in the garden department at Home Depot and they had a bar-be-Que fired up and were grilling Home Depot Hot Dogs.  I bought a Dog, loaded it with the works; I started to take a bite as I walked back to my cart and I said, is that you?  It’s me…  I love these Dogs; me too…

The next day I was at Target and turned around, is that you???

Wayne