Get Fit: Spotlight on Athletes
It’s a new year, and we have a sneaking suspicion that you may have made a resolution to get fit. To help you stick with it, we gathered advice from three local athletes across myriad activities. Although they may seem intimidating (in a good way!), their advice is simple and straightforward—and their stories inspiring.
When did you first become interested in fitness?
What aspects of fitness are you most interested in?
What are your top fitness tips?
Listen to your body, eat healthy, and remember that recovery is key.
What’s the first thing someone can do to begin a fitness routine?
Start small; building your way up to something big makes all the difference!
Bob Gitsham
Shawn Remy
Shawn Remy, the store manager at Bob’s Cycle Center in Roseville, has been the “king of stoke” at Giant Bicycles for the past four years. Cycling has been his main discipline for the past 17 years; this year, he’s planning to go cross-country mountain biking along with road and gravel racing—all while being supported by his daughters, Torrance and Tegan, and fiancé, Erin.
Shawn Remy
When did you first become interested in fitness?
I first showed interest in cycling when I was young while watching my cousins race mountain bikes. It looked so awesome! Although I participated in many sports throughout childhood (roller hockey, baseball, football, aggressive inline skating, and skateboarding), it wasn’t until my early 20s when I truly picked up cycling as a lifestyle, followed by pursuing mountain biking in 2019.
I love how fitness has been the truest form of therapy over the years. Great music, paired with a great workout, helps me tackle life’s toughest challenges with the most positive mental attitude possible.
Listen to your body, eat healthy, and remember that recovery is key.
What’s the first thing someone can do to begin a fitness routine?
Start small; building your way up to something big makes all the difference!
Devyn Chambers
Devyn Chambers may only be a freshman at Oakmont High School, but she already has a lot of sports experience under her belt. She started playing soccer when she was just five years old and has competed competitively for the past seven. In February of last year, she took up track and field; last summer, after just mere months of practice, she placed fourth in long jump (in her age group) at the 2022 National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships. When not competing, you can find her spending time with friends or reading a good book.
When did you first become interested in fitness?
I’ve always been interested in it! My parents have always encouraged me to try different sports to see which ones I like and want to [pursue]. Besides track and soccer, I’ve also participated in gymnastics, martial arts, lacrosse, basketball, golf, and softball.
Devyn Chambers
When did you first become interested in fitness?
I’ve always been interested in it! My parents have always encouraged me to try different sports to see which ones I like and want to [pursue]. Besides track and soccer, I’ve also participated in gymnastics, martial arts, lacrosse, basketball, golf, and softball.
What aspects of fitness are you most interested in?
The social part of working out and how it makes me feel. Most of the activities I’ve participated in are team-oriented, and I enjoy having friends who are interested in the same sport. We all push each other to be better, and the friendly competition makes it fun. I also like how working out makes me feel. I find it satisfying knowing I’ve gone out on the field or the track and really pushed myself.
The social part of working out and how it makes me feel. Most of the activities I’ve participated in are team-oriented, and I enjoy having friends who are interested in the same sport. We all push each other to be better, and the friendly competition makes it fun. I also like how working out makes me feel. I find it satisfying knowing I’ve gone out on the field or the track and really pushed myself.
What are your top fitness tips?
Just start! And then slowly interval your way up (for example, slowly increase weights or reps and go for longer periods of time). Also, find an activity you like so it doesn’t feel monotonous.
Just start! And then slowly interval your way up (for example, slowly increase weights or reps and go for longer periods of time). Also, find an activity you like so it doesn’t feel monotonous.
What’s the first thing someone can do to begin a fitness routine?
Create a reasonable plan or objective and find something you enjoy.
Create a reasonable plan or objective and find something you enjoy.
Bob Gitsham
Folsom resident and Ironman Bob Gitsham is a lifelong athlete and credits it for saving his life. He was gravely injured in a serious car accident just over three years ago and used his passion for the sport as motivation to leave the hospital. At home, Gitsham likes to spend time with his wife, Jennifer, two sons, Owen and Cheyne, and daughter, Mia.
When did you first become interested in fitness?
I’ve always been active and played sports growing up, including football in college. About five years ago, I took my fitness to another level and got in triathlons—followed by Ironmans. After my accident, I was in the hospital for 40 days, five of which were in a coma, and I didn’t walk for six months.
Bob Gitsham
When did you first become interested in fitness?
I’ve always been active and played sports growing up, including football in college. About five years ago, I took my fitness to another level and got in triathlons—followed by Ironmans. After my accident, I was in the hospital for 40 days, five of which were in a coma, and I didn’t walk for six months.
What aspects of fitness are you most interested in?
I like to see how far I can push myself, hence doing Ironman events, which consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon (26.2 miles). Doing those races not only challenges me physically but more so mentally.
I like to see how far I can push myself, hence doing Ironman events, which consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon (26.2 miles). Doing those races not only challenges me physically but more so mentally.
What are your top fitness tips?
Eat clean, get good sleep, and be disciplined in being consistent with working out.
Eat clean, get good sleep, and be disciplined in being consistent with working out.
What’s the first thing someone can do to begin a fitness routine?
Put your beer or wine down, get off the couch, and go for a walk three or four times a week, and then build off that.
Put your beer or wine down, get off the couch, and go for a walk three or four times a week, and then build off that.
by Emily Peter-Corey
Shawn Remy photo by Kyle Thornhill. Other photos courtesy of each athlete.