Pat Z.
Aug 1, 2022
With Walter’s coaching and virtual bootcamps, I pushed past my mental barriers, stayed consistent, and achieved results I once thought were out of reach.
I first met Walter many years ago—around 2004 or 2005—when my friend Ramona invited me to a bootcamp session she raved about. She promised it would be fun, so I decided to give it a try. I’ll never forget pulling into a church parking lot in Upper Marlboro and seeing these huge tractor tires. I paused, thinking, What did I get myself into?
The class turned out to be a lot of fun, but back then, my commitment to exercise was lacking, so I never returned. Still, Walter stayed on my radar thanks to his consistent emails, and years later, I joined a few of his classes in Alexandria. Fast forward to late March of this year—after gaining over 20 pandemic pounds—and with my daughter’s September wedding quickly approaching, I knew I had to make a change. I dug up one of Walter’s emails and gave him a call. Even though he was on vacation, he took the time to listen to my situation. Before the pandemic, I had been doing barre workouts 4–5 days a week, but I wasn’t losing weight or building much strength. During lockdown, I tried virtual barre, but the instructors weren’t engaging with online participants, so I lost motivation. Luckily, the timing was perfect—Walter was about to start a 42-Day Body Transformation Challenge in early April. I signed up immediately, got my instructions, and started logging my meals in the food app. The first workout was tough, but I pushed through. I skipped the next two classes—until Walter called me out during our first 1-on-1 session. He reminded me that nutrition was only half the equation—consistent workouts and accountability were just as important. From that point on, I made sure he saw me in class.
My goal was to lose 20 pounds by September. Over two back-to-back 42-Day Challenges, I lost 16.5 pounds and dropped my body fat from 37% to 29%. I feel stronger, my clothes fit better—some even loose—and I have visible muscle definition. During one session, I told Walter I wanted to be able to do a push-up. He tailored part of a workout just for that goal! Walter and his team taught me to hold myself accountable, push past my mental barriers, and also show myself compassion. Now, I look forward to my virtual classes—especially the high-energy kickboxing sessions and Saturday bootcamps. They’re tough, but they’re fun and keep me moving. The best part? At my daughter’s bridal shower last week, friends and family I hadn’t seen in years immediately noticed the change in my appearance. I feel empowered, accomplished, and confident heading into the wedding. Thank you, Walter, for your guidance, encouragement, and for reminding me that my goals are always within reach. My journey isn’t over yet, but I know now—it’s completely achievable.
