Joining ASP is one of the most positive changes I've made in years…read more
I arrived at my ASP assessment five months ago with a healthy dose of skepticism. Joining a high-end, high-commitment gym felt like an unlikely choice for me. I'd spent most of my life avoiding gyms, preferring to run or bike outside instead. As a busy working mom, it didn't feel realistic--it seemed like something for people with more time or more fitness bandwidth than I had.
At that point, I was dealing with chronic plantar fasciitis that had become noticeable with every step. I had tried everything--physical therapy, orthotics, acupuncture, thicker shoes, toe spacers, and more--but nothing fully resolved it. I knew I needed a more fundamental change if I wanted to stay active.
The ASP assessment was incredibly thorough. We discussed my heel pain, recurring hip pain, radial nerve irritation in my arm, and a long history of lingering injuries. The team listened carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and tested movement patterns as we talked. They were like body detectives, looking across systems rather than treating isolated symptoms. They identified that an ankle fracture from 15 years ago had likely set off a chain of compensations that we could address through targeted strengthening.
Within the first phase of the program, my heel pain was gone. After years of living with it, I was honestly floored. I could walk without constantly thinking about my feet, which felt like a huge improvement in my quality of life. Around the same time, the nerve issue in my arm--something I'd lived with for years--was also resolved. It felt like years of accumulated aches and pains were being systematically cleared away.
From there, we shifted toward my goal of running Bay to Breakers, my first race. The programming combined corrective work, strength, core stability, agility, and structured running. When pain resurfaced after introducing running, we retrained my gait and corrected movement patterns that had been contributing to my hip pain.
In the end, I ran the entire race from start to finish--the longest distance I'd ever run continuously--at a pace I felt proud of, with no rebound pain afterward. More importantly, I had fun. I can now run outside again simply because I enjoy it, without pain. While I'm not sure I'll run a marathon, I now believe I could if I wanted to.
The biggest changes weren't even on my original list. Once I started showing up consistently, I began paying more attention to nutrition, prioritizing sleep, and feeling happier and more present in every part of my life. Taking care of my health became the foundation that everything else was built around.
The accountability and flexibility of ASP's training model have been essential to my consistency. Booking sessions each week keeps me committed in a way I've never managed on my own. There's always someone available to coach, answer questions, and correct my form.
At the same time, the model is refreshingly flexible. Life happens--you can run late, step out for a call, or reschedule from morning to evening on the same day. That flexibility also creates a great culture. Because there's no lengthy commitment at sign-up, the gym is full of members who want to be there. There's laughter, camaraderie, and good music, making it a place I genuinely look forward to visiting.
The most valuable part of ASP is the coaching team. Jack, Dominique, and Jared are knowledgeable, attentive, and deeply invested in their clients' success. They met me where I was, adapted the program when needed, and kept me accountable throughout. My goals became their goals, and that made all the difference.
If you've been struggling with chronic pain or have started wondering whether your body simply can't do the things it used to, I can't recommend ASP highly enough. It has been among the best investments I've ever made in my health, and I'm incredibly grateful I gave it a chance.
