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MY Sports Club Story: Michele

Mar 26, 2026

Meet Michele, dedicated Murray Hill member and soon to be participant in the famous El Camino walk. Michele has been a lover of fitness her whole life, having competed as an athlete in various parts of her life and now as an avid gym go-er at NYSC. This year, she is preparing to cross another bucket list item off – the El Camino walk in Spain. El Camino, or Camino de Santiago, is a pilgrimage that has been walked for years by people as a spiritual, physical, and healing journey. Michele has been working with a personal trainer at Murray Hill to help her prep for this monumental feat. Read more about her fitness journey, what inspired her to participate in the walk, and more below.

Please tell us a little about your fitness journey.
Early in life, I decided that dieting or how much I weighed was not my focus. Instead I sought to be strong and fit. So in high school, I competed to be on the cheerleading team for 4 years since there were no other sport teams available for girls then.

Fast forward to my 30s when I was introduced to a 5K by my ex-husband. At the sound of the gun, I raced at break-neck speed, only to be exhausted minutes later. Lesson #1: pace yourself. I have applied this lesson to my gym workouts as well as two NYC Marathons. 

Since then, cancer challenged me physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Again I paced myself along with applying meditation practices which enabled me to stay calm and positive through chemo, radiation, and rigid regimens. 

After the need for a second surgery, I was cautious about working out, and concerned about injury. As a result I felt stuck. As a meditation practitioner, I knew it was time to “unstick” beyond just the physical.

You’re planning to walk the El Camino in Spain in 6 months. How did you decide to take part in this famous walk? 
I had heard about El Camino and initially placed it on my bucket list. I moved it from my bucket list to 2026 when I sensed the need to get “unstuck,” leave the cancer cautions behind me, and leap outside my comfort zone. 

How has working with a personal trainer at NYSC helped prepare you for this feat?
Since I already have the discipline to come nearly 7 days a week to the gym, and have slowly increased my weights, I felt I was advancing appropriately. Though there are many trainers at NYSC, I didn’t see what benefit a trainer could offer me. Then Larry suggested I meet Christian. Though I hadn’t quite moved El Camino to my bucket list for 2026 yet, learning that Christian walked it was enough for me to make the shift and take the final step. 

Was I sensing the need for a trainer?  No. Then Larry suggested I take the InBody scan. Christian helped me see gaps in my otherwise healthy eating habits, like increasing protein in order to build muscle. Finally, Christian started giving me pointers while on various machines. For example, I experienced what he meant when he said, “Proper form is more important than weight.” 

As my trainer, he has broadened my movements to encompass a more complimentary approach. As someone who seeks to live holistically vs finding a silver bullet, this approach deeply resonates with me.

Of great importance to me is feeling the genuine dedication Christian has for me to enjoy this journey- from training to ​​arriving at Santiago De Compostela. I'm also excited that I'll also improve my Spanish along the way!

What are you looking forward to most about the El Camino? 
Being able to enjoy the physical, mental and emotional challenge without injury and enjoy life’s infinite possibilities available to us all.

What do you love about working out at NYSC?
I have many “buddies” at the gym, mostly men, who offer their help whenever needed, and who easily share kind words or a laugh.

Do you have a story about how our Club has helped improve life outside our Club? Submit your MY Sports Club Story here.