By Sarah Schmermund

“Surround yourself with people who believe you can.” -Dan Zadra

I was intending to compose a bittersweet goodbye letter – an “Ode to the Arena” if you will – to share with you all upon my departure from the great city of Los Angeles, but as I began to attempt it, I realized there was just too much to say that one letter could possibly contain. ?So instead, I’m excited to use my privileged position within our blog platform to share a series of memories and ‘lessons learned’ that I so gratefully attribute to my time in the Arena.

In the grand scheme, my year and a half (plus a few months) at Arena Fitness is just a ‘passing through’ compared to the substantial history of many other Arena veterans (see: the Gorens), but considering my stay in LA has been limited to just two years, I feel that the gym has become my home away from home. ?Besides school, I can’t think of anywhere I’ve consistently spent (and enjoyed) more of my time. ?And this comforting home quality I’ve felt?has been there since day one.

Flashback to February 2010. ?I was starting my first clinical practicum of my master’s program, and I was going to be conducting in-home family therapy with families involved with the Department of Children?and Family Services. ?While my safety and well-being was assured, I felt it couldn’t hurt to know how to protect myself in a worst-case scenario. ?So, I googled “self-defense in Tarzana” and assessed my options. ?No one was currently offering a self-defense course, but a few kickboxing gyms were nearby, offering similar training. ?I explored the websites and Arena won me over: no pressure trial to see if it was the right fit for me. ?Nothing to lose, and potentially lots to gain.

I had a sense of just how much I would get out of my time in Arena from the very first session. After inquiring online, our fearless co-leader Jon followed-up and made me feel welcome, helping me set up the appointment and know what to expect when I arrived. ?My first exposure was a semi-private training session with Joe?(which we all know is no cake walk), and I felt immediately comfortable. ?The only reason I came back for another session the next day (and every week since then) is this comfort, this relationship, this familiarity that is interwoven into everything the gym and the trainers offer. ?The family aspect, the camaraderie was infectious. ?Epic workouts can be found a lot of places, but the warm, welcoming people, this community of clients and trainers is completely unique to Arena. ?Even after I moved to the Westside last fall, the thought of leaving the gym never crossed my mind. ?The extremely supportive environment coupled with the insane workouts and the easy rapport (which further engages your core as you’re doubled over laughing) has allowed me the BEST workouts I’ve ever had on a weekly basis. ?The Arena is, by far, the thing I will miss most about LA.

Needless to say, I was sold within the first 15 minutes of that first session with Joe, and my masochism was fully developed within that first week with back-to-back sessions and kickboxing classes. ?A month later, I bought my own pair of gloves, and I’ve never looked back. And, among a number of other lessons (like just how far I can push my body and how important routine is (to come later)), Arena reminded me of and reinforced the importance of people. Of having ‘your people’ there to support you, encourage you, lean on, and have fun with. ?Of having a community.? The past few years have been very much about my education, my career, and my future. ?I relocated knowing no one, making the choice and sacrifice for the same of the future I imagine for myself. I would not have enjoyed (or even survived) the last two years without the Arena and its people.?Lesson learned: you can get the workout anywhere; the people matter most.

“Those who believe in our ability do more than stimulate us. ?They create for us an atmosphere in which it becomes easier to succeed.” -John H. Spalding