When Gary Sproul joined Valor Elite Training just over a year ago, he had a goal to improve his health and lose weight.
He started at 246 pounds. Today, he weighs 207.
Nearly 40 pounds is certainly something worth celebrating but ask Gary about his progress and there is more to the story. He has gotten stronger, gained confidence and, perhaps most importantly, found a fitness routine he has been able to stick with.
“I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, and Valor Elite Training has been a huge part of that,” Gary said.
Starting a fitness program can be intimidating, especially when walking into a traditional gym filled with people, equipment and little direction about where to begin. For Gary, Valor felt different.
“The gym isn’t too big, so it feels personal, welcoming and never intimidating,” he said. “The staff genuinely care about the members, and that makes a huge difference.” That environment helped Gary settle into a routine and keep going, even on the days when progress felt slower. And that consistency has paid off.
Over the past year, Gary has improved his strength and overall fitness while continuing to lose weight. Along the way, he has also developed more confidence in what he can do.
There was no quick fix or dramatic overnight transformation. Gary simply kept showing up, doing the work and building on his progress.
Training With a Plan
Gary works with Valor Elite trainer Tyler Smith, a certified athletic trainer and personal trainer whose background includes collegiate soccer and a master’s degree in athletic training.
Tyler’s approach is centered on understanding the individual first. Goals, movement, ability and any physical limitations all help determine how a client trains.
Rather than putting everyone through the same workout, Tyler develops training around what each person is working toward. For Gary, that has meant having a plan, knowing why he is doing each exercise and having someone there to keep him moving forward.
Tyler’s background in strength training, rehabilitation, sports performance and injury prevention also allows him to adapt workouts as clients progress. For Gary, the combination of individualized training and encouragement has made a difference. “Their encouragement and support have helped me stay committed and keep showing up, even when the process was challenging,” Gary said.
Building Better Nutrition Habits
Gary also works with Tara Nicole, Nutrition Coach, to make changes to his nutrition and build habits that support his goals. His goal was to lose body fat while continuing to build muscle and feel stronger and more confident in his body.
The changes didn’t happen all at once. Tara worked with Gary on small, sustainable adjustments to his lifestyle and nutrition, helping him build habits that fit into his routine and support his progress. Early on, Gary joked that he couldn’t possibly eat all the protein in his new meal plan and didn’t have time to meal prep. But week by week, those small changes have become part of his routine.
With nearly 20 years of experience, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for nutrition to Valor Elite Training. She offers personalized nutrition programs including macro-based meal plans, carb cycling, competition prep and athletic nutrition coaching, helping clients build an approach that fits their individual goals and lifestyle.
For Tara, one of the most rewarding parts of working with Gary is watching his confidence and mindset grow alongside his physical progress. She has seen his consistency, willingness to learn and openness to change make a difference, and continues to remind him that he is capable of doing hard things.
More Than a Number
Gary’s progress over the past year is exactly the kind of success we love celebrating at Valor Elite Training. Not because of one number on the scale, but because of everything that went into changing that number. He showed up. He stayed consistent. He worked on his training and nutrition. He trusted the process. And little by little, the results followed.
Gary, congratulations on everything you have accomplished so far. We’re proud to have you as part of the Valor Elite Training family, and we’re looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Ready to start working toward your own goals? Whether you want to lose weight, build strength, move better or simply feel healthier, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Your journey starts at Valor Elite Training.