As I was reflecting the other day on how much Penance Gym has grown and evolved, I found myself thinking about just how long I’ve been doing this. That moment of reflection reminded me of something pretty incredible—we have a member who’s been with us since before this gym even existed.
Tammy started training with us over 15 years ago, back when we were running boot camp sessions out of the 24-hour gym in town. That was long before we had our own space, our own identity, or even a clear vision of what this gym would eventually become.
And yet, there she was—showing up.
Now, I won’t say she’s been here every single day. We all have our slumps, our busy seasons, our days that don’t go as planned. But what I can say is that Tammy has shown up week after week, month after month, and year after year. She’s been consistent, adaptable, and committed, through every phase of her life and ours.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of training all three of her sons in some capacity. I’ve watched her goals shift, as they naturally do, but one thing has never changed: her willingness to show up and put in the work.
These days, Tammy’s a proud grandmother and she’s well on her way to building her own petting zoo (that may be a bit of an inside joke). But even with her hands full and life always moving, she still makes time for herself and her health.
We’re lucky to have people like Tammy at Penance. She’s a reminder of what this place is really about: commitment, growth, and showing up for yourself, year after year.