Stephan Pictured Center
My name is Stephan Jaeger and like many people I never thought that I could find a workout program that would fit my busy schedule. As a 43-year-old investment banker, work tends to take up a lot of time and a healthy life style and exercise tend to get lost in the day-to-day grind. That all changed after I went to see my doctor who quickly informed me that I was overweight and suffered from high blood pressure and cholesterol. Since coming to Hybrid I have significantly improved my well-being. Moreover, my energy level and mental agility has also sharpened over the past 10 months.
1. How long have you been a member at Hybrid?
I joined Hybrid in February 2010. Several of us decided the join the Ramp Up Program on Saturday morning’s to see if this was a program that would work for us. We quickly concluded that this program was what we needed in order to get back into shape.
2. How did you hear about the gym originally?
My wife, Sue O’Connell had been coming to Hybrid for over a year before I finally got up the courage to go. My wife had read an article about Rob Orlando and his unique program in a local paper and she decided to check it out. Her excitement and enthusiasm (plus great results), finally prevailed and got me to go.
3. What is your favorite lift?
I really enjoy doing the dead lift. Although it looks simple, it works a large number of different muscles and is a key power lift movement.
4. What is your least favorite lift?
Thrusters. I cringe when I see these on the board.
5. What has been your biggest achievement since starting at Hybrid?
The fact that I have been doing this for a year I think is the biggest achievement. There have been a number of occasion where I would commit to working out and within a month or two my interest would wane. The fact that I love coming here at 5:30am is really as a result of the great trainers and perhaps even more importantly, the community feeling that exists here.
6. How many days per week do you workout at Hybrid? Elsewhere?
I try to come 5 days a week. I stopped going to my other gym after being at Hybrid for two weeks. Only other place I go to is a cross fit affiliate gym in Nantucket when we are on vacation.
7. What movement are you still struggling with and what are you doing to fix it?
Pull-ups – I am currently doing them in a band and one of my goals this year is to be able to do a number of unassisted pull-ups in a row. Burpees are also one of my nemesis but I enjoy that battle.
8. What were your stats, physically, before coming to Hybrid? Weight?
Too embarrassed to disclose….When I joined the gym I weighed 267 pounds and was a 46 waist. I have now 240 and a 42′ waist. I still have a long way to go but I am heading in the right direction.
9. How has your nutrition changed?
This is a real focus in 2011. I have tried to moderate my portions and have been more mindful of food groupings but I realize to make the next big step this has to become much more of a focus.
10. What motivates you daily?
Besides the overall physical and mental improvements that I have experienced, I really enjoy the camaraderie. I usually go to the 5:30 am class with several friends from Old Greenwich (Mike Maiolo, Joe Marinelli, and Noah Finz). The fact that we push each other and our supportive of each other is a huge part of our collective success.
11. What advice would you give to someone who might be intimidated by Hybrid?
Just open the door and walk through. That was the hardest part for me. Once you are there, it’s a very friendly and supportive atmosphere. Everyone is there to support each other and I think that attitude starts with Rob and his trainers and permeates throughout the membership. The workouts are very scalable and the trainers are great at quickly determining once ability and able to customize a workout that is challenging yet appropriate.