I Love My Community: Karin Neal
Karin Neal, Orangetheory Fitness franchisee for Stockton and Modesto, sat down with HERLIFE Magazine recently to share her dedication to family and community.
HLM: How long have you lived here? What do you love most?
KN: I grew up in the Central Valley, in Greenbrae, and I define it as my home. My dad is a farmer close to the bottom of the Ridge Route. The history of the valley that covers Mettler to Stockton is what keeps me here, and it is the WHY that I wanted to bring Orangetheory Fitness to the Central Valley. I love the Central Valley.
HLM: How is your heart inspired to serve the community?
KN: What inspires me are the people that make up the Central Valley. No matter where you are from, we all came to the Central Valley for a reason. Our goal at Orangetheory Fitness is to support and create a warm and welcoming community for people to find and propel their fitness desires and goals.
HLM: What sparks joy for you?
KN: I find true joy in our members who walk into our studio, and no matter where they are in their day, when I see their face post workout, it is just the best. They feel and look accomplished and reset. Their faces are glowing, and that brings me joy!
HLM: Top three bucket list goals?
KN: Touring India; mountain bike racing well into my golden years; learning Italian.
HLM: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
KN: Raising three kids; bringing Orangetheory Modesto and Orangetheory Stockton to the Central Valley.
HLM: Can you describe a key event that had an impact on your life?
KN: We have a slogan in our household: “Say yes before you have to say no.” Many years ago, a friend asked if I would do a mountain bike race with her in Lake Tahoe. It sounded a bit outside of my comfort zone. She wanted the accountability and camaraderie to take this on. I said yes, and we trained and showed up for each other. It was a little outside my comfort zone, but it turned out to be so fulfilling on many levels. It is one of the motivators that made me say yes to Orangetheory in Modesto.
HLM: How is your time best spent outside work?
KN: Outside of work, I keep my household humming. I take Orangetheory classes. And I do enjoy mountain bike riding.
HLM: Do you have a favorite quote?
KN: I don’t have a favorite quote per se, but I find inspiration and motivation from the people around me: family, friends, co-workers. The more I listen to the core people around me, the more I learn, the more I question and the more I challenge myself.
HLM: What are you currently reading?
KN: OUTLIVE: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD.
HLM: Favorite food or dessert?
KN: I am not an expert at dessert, but I love everything else. My favorite food is a big salad, with all the fixings: a lot of protein, just enough veggies, and a little crunch from almonds, jicama or apples. I love a good pizza, too. But getting back to dessert, I do like a perfect tart frozen yogurt.
