Member Spotlight Feature: Trish Tarnowski
Meet Trish Tarnowski, one of our amazing and accomplished members!
From Golden Valley, Minnesota, Trish found The Power House through her husband who worked with Max Lipset on various projects. Trish began private training sessions with Max in August 2017 because of her goals to backpack camp up a mountain.
She says, “My husband, Pat and our 2 teenage daughters, Sammi and Ali, had gone on a backpacking camping trip to Wyoming for 3 years. I was told the trip was too physically demanding for me since I have lived with rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years and have had multiple joint surgeries. When my family returned from the trip in 2017, I told them of my intent to join them the following summer. My thought was: if i believe I can do it and train for it, I’ll be in a much better place physically (and mentally), even if it is determined that indeed I don’t have the physical capacity to backpack camp in the Bighorn Mountains for a week.” Trish began private training with Max Lipset and her husband, Pat, to work towards her goals of joining the climbing trip.
Her training with Max was extremely positive. Trish describes the best part of her private training was how much Max believed in her. “His approach began with increasing my mobility over time while increasing my strength and endurance – all aspects were no small feat. At every step, I continued to be surprised at the progress I was making and doing things I hadn’t done in years and thought I’d never be able to do again.” The positive energy from Max, the other trainers, and fellow members helped shape Trish’s experience at The Power House.
Before embarking on her climbing trip, she needed to have her knee scoped. Through rehab and subsequent training, her strength and mobility increased and she was ready for her trip. She trained well and took the long trip in the Bighorn Mountains. Trish and her family stayed in four different campsites during her climb and had two big mountain climbs. On day three of her climb, she embarked on a 10 hour day to climb rocky trails and steep gravel inclines, cross creeks, and scale giant boulders. Trish made it 12,100 feet to reach the top of Bomber Mountain! Congratulations to Trish and her family!
Trish’s advice to new members is to listen to your coach and commit to doing the work. It will pay off! For those members interested in rock climbing, Trish advises that the first trip is taken with experienced climbers. She says that belief in yourself will get you over the mountain.
Thank you, Trish, for being such an awesome member in our community. You really demonstrate what it means to WIN YOUR LIFE.