BBR inspo - the OG Claremont crew

As the winter chill and the desire to hibernate set in, we thought you might like a dose of hardcore MF and what they do to keep the fire burning. We checked in with four members who have been with Bodies by Ryan Claremont gyms since Forrest was a pup and Rhino had just painted Arnie on the HIIT gym wall. Enjoy these ultimate words of wisdom from BBR faves Andrew Thomas, Cherie Newcombe, Jen Howell and Sandra Galvin… you probably won’t want to sleep in anymore.

BBR: When did you start at BBR and how did you find us?

Andrew: I started around Easter 2018 after Jo did a 12-week challenge with some amazing results. Talei had recommended BBR to Jo a few months before and word was getting out in the community about this new gym where you ate the same food every day for months. I did my first challenge right away and was hooked from the start. Once I got used to being smashed by the trainers in the HIIT gym (STR wasn't really a big thing then), within a few weeks my normal back pain from sitting at a desk was gone and once I saw my first challenge results there was no turning back. The rest is history!

Cherie: I started in January 2018. I was training at a gym in Osborne Park and wanted something closer to home. My son knew Ryan and that he was just starting his own gym and said to give him a call. 

Jen: I'd seen a few posts on social media from mutual friends that piqued my interest, so I stalked from afar for a little while. In 2018 I had to go interstate for work for a few months, so I reached out to Ryan about joining one of the challenges but doing it remotely. He did up a strength program and meal plan for me and away I went! 

Sandra: Anissa had been chatting to Brenda about BBR and dragged me along kicking and screaming. I was convinced that it was only for hardcore gym people and I wouldn’t be able to keep up. 

BBR: What has been your biggest win at BBR?

Andrew: Lots of wins, but the first things that comes to my mind include being stronger at 50 years old than ever, the awesome trainers and the other super strong members who keep inspiring me. 

Cherie: Biggest win for me at BBR has been to maintain strength as I age as I’ve had some back and neck issues. 

Jen: The connections with the trainers and other members. When you join a gym, you expect to get a training benefit out of it. The BBR community is the icing on the cake (in the absence of icing OR cake, if you know what I mean) that keeps me there.

Sandra: Building strength, so I no longer get lower back pain on long walks. 

BBR: What has changed the most in your life since being a BBR member?

Andrew: I have a formula that WORKS! When I'm not feeling good about my physical shape, I know I just need to put in about eight weeks of effort to feel better. 

Cherie: I will admit I’ve never been a morning person, but it has been a part of my life for the past five years and just comes naturally now. 

Jen: I've become a gym snob! If I have to visit another gym, I find myself comparing it to BBR in every way. For me, there is no substitute. I think this can be attributed to the holistic approach Ryan and the team take to training. Strong minds, strong bodies, connections, challenges, recovery, celebrations...

Sandra: I’m now in the habit of daily exercise. It’s the best start to the day. 

BBR: What is your favourite BBR lesson or Rhino truth bomb?!

Andrew: I take huge inspiration from Ryan's attitude to life - he doesn't allow himself (or anyone else) to find reasons to give up when we can keep pushing on. 

Cherie: It has to be STTP or as Rhino says STTFP.

Jen: There are so many! The most recent one has been "You're all different, but you're all the same", which means that even though everyone at BBR is unique in their circumstances, we all have something we are dealing with. We each have things going on in our lives, or injuries (chronic or acute), or illnesses. For me, it reminds me not to feel sorry for myself. If I don't feel like training, I remind myself that there are probably others who would rather stay in bed on these cold, dark mornings and use circumstance as an excuse. It is a privilege to be able to take that hour of the day just for ME, and there are far more rewards for doing so than just the pump on arm day!

Sandra: You don’t need to starve yourself to lose weight. Ryan has changed the way I think about food. 

BBR: What are your big 2023 goals?

Andrew: Now that's a challenge in itself, after five years at BBR, to keep setting goals! My biggest win this year has been including meditation/breathwork as my go-to when I am stressed or just to keep me feeling good, so being more disciplined with this would be good. Also becoming good at pull ups would be amazing!

Cherie: 2023 goals are to peg the kilos back that seem to come on way quicker than they come off. 

Jen: A few things last year have led me to devote 2023 to rebuilding myself from the ground up, physically and mentally. I won't bore you with the details (IYKYK), but BBR is playing a significant role in this.

Sandra: I don’t have specific goals for 2023, but I’m keen to maintain my strength and keep injury free. And maybe lower my golf handicap. 

BBR Owner and Head Trainer Ryan Devereux shares some thoughts about some of his longest-standing members and friends…

Andrew Thomas 

Since coming on board in 2018, Andrew hit the ground running and has been one of the most enjoyable clients to train. I've created an amazing friendship with Andrew over the years and he was the first person to have a coffee with me and talk about BBR as a business.  First question he asked was "Ryan, you have lots of members coming in now, are you set up for GST?" I responded with "I think so... What's GST again?" Haha, we've come a long way! 

Beyond that, he is a beast in every class, and he has a certain energy and vibe about him that makes a lot of people smile when he enters the room. He’s certified legend status here.

Cherie Newcombe

My OG Gym Mum, I was eating chicken and rice on Cherie’s couch for years before BBR was even born. Her son James Jnr and I would smash some big sessions and use her house as our halfway house to dominate some post-session gains.  She's seen the gym and BBR progress over the years and she's supported us in every way she can. She is so consistent with her training and always rolls into the gym with a smile and puts in the work. There aren’t many sessions she's missed with her husband James Snr and I love the fact they train together almost every day. 

Jen Howell

This lady could be our biggest supporter and I would say has done the most amount of kilometres to stay consistent with her training. Driving from Manning to BBR every morning shows just how dedicated she is to her training. She has thrived in the gym and I've seen her transform and go from strength to strength. From our first online program together all those years ago to smashing her strength sessions today. I get excited when Jen is in my classes as she has a real no BS approach. Head down, roll the sleeves up and get it done. 

Sandra Galvin

It's hard to talk about Sandra without her dynamic duo partner Anissa, they have been side by side for years. They sweat, lift and smile together and have been a HUGE part of the BBR makeup over the years. Sandra has successfully completed many challenges over the years and now holds a strong and lean physique. This year I'll be asking Sandra to sign a lifetime contract with BBR which means she's not allowed to leave... ever, haha! 

I would also like to use this blog to thank Andrew, Cherie, Jen and Sandra for the energy and vibe they bring to BBR! We're all very lucky to have such amazing people within our community and we've created so many memories over the years. To all BBR members that continue to show up every day with a smile on their face, work hard, empower others, and lift each other up. Thank you. Seriously, thank you.