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Henry S. Friedman, M.D.,
Deputy Director, The Preston Robert Tisch BrainTumor Center
Duke University Medical Center
Best personal training facility anywhere. Simply the finest personal training facility offering expertise across the board in virtually any health related area. I started training with Jessica, following my daughter’s lead, over 7 years ago and it is the single most important thing I do for my health and wellness. I am there 5 days a week whenever possible. The studio environment they have created and the team of professionals they have assembled far exceeds any other health club I have ever been in. In fact, Empower is NOT a gym ñ they are a lifestyle wellness center and the difference is clear as soon as you walk in the door. Everyone in my family has trained with someone at Empower and all of us have benefited immensely. I have never seen anything this good anywhere and we will be lifetime clients.
Eric Cooper
As my time has come to an end at Empower (I am moving), I wanted to share some thoughts with you.
I have really enjoyed the time I’ve spent there. The atmosphere is laid back and the trainers there have only ever been respectful and kind. I always looked forward to the time I spent at the gym (how many people can say that?!). The quality of Empower Personal Training can also be seen in faces and attitudes of their clients – who are a smiling, happy bunch.
Caroline was stellar – just absolutely amazing. She has given me the tools to assure that I remain motivated; not only on the days that I’m away from the gym, but for the rest of my life. She taught me how to exercise and WHY she was using those exercises. That alone taught me more about getting in shape than I ever knew before. I’ve not only lost weight and gained muscle mass, but I feel better and activities I’ve done before have become easier to execute. Having a nearly-three year old, that is always a good thing.
From the get-go, she was easily able to determine my strengths and weaknesses. Also, I am not someone who complains a lot (don’t listen to Caroline, she will tell you I’m a sass-mouth. She lies! She lies! 
), so she wasn’t always able to see on my face when I was getting exhausted, so she would use other bodily clues in order to determine when I had had enough. It was fantastic that she was able to work with me, instead of trying to get me to conform to whatever standards she had learned about before.
I look forward to instituting all of the skills she has given me and return to peak physical condition. Whether that happens in a few months or a year or more, I know that I’ll be able to get there, even on my own. All thanks to Caroline!
Sincerely,
Eric Cooper
Empower Celebrates 5 years of Empowering People and Communities to improved health and wellness.
“You definitely must try Empower.” Become Powerful.”
Matt Wolf
“I’ve seen increased strength, increased endurance, and overall better health with Mike at Empower.”
Jessica Habecker
“I come here because it’s committed time and I know I’ll force myself to workout.”
Hayden Bosworth
“It is hard to express the feeling of setting a goal and having the staff of Empower help you achieve it”
On October 16th two years of work came to fruition. I started working 30 minutes a week back in 2008 with Michael Whitehurst with a goal of running a marathon by the time I turned 40. Michael never questioned my ability and was a stead fast support in my journey that resulted in me eventually losing 25 pounds and increasing my running from approximately 5-10 miles a week to running upwards of 40 miles a week to eventually running a trail marathon (26.2 miles) and coming 16th among males my age. We first had to work on balance and core strength and moved onto leg strengths. All those squats and pushing Michael around had developed the leg strength needed to run for 5 hours. With Michaelís encouragement and support, I gained the courage to run two half marathons, these two half marathons became a full marathon and allowed me to meet my 40th birthday goal of running a marathon. Over the two years working with Michael and now Aaron, I have learned how to stretch, built up core strength, and have learned what my body is capable of doing. I am now in the best shape I have been since high school (just less hair), but 25 pounds lighter.
It is hard to express the feeling of setting a goal and having the staff of Empower help you achieve it. I can say that I was not that nervous about completing the marathon. If anything, I was anxious to do it and complete it given I felt satisfied that I trained hard for the event. The morning of the race I was full of excitement and anticipation. During the race, however, was a different story. My training prepared me, but until you run marathon, it is hard to imagine the complex feelings of exhilaration, tiredness, pain, and sense of accomplishment. I am still glowing in the aftermath of the experience and finding myself realizing that after completing a marathon, prior challenges no longer seem as insurmountable.
So, now it is onto the next goal ñ another marathon in the spring and running under 4.5 hours! With a little motivation, the Empower group can help meet your fitness and life goals.
John Taylor
“Best Personal Training Experience”
I went to Empower for an assessment a few years ago as I had decided I needed to take back my life. I had been traveling 48 weeks a year consulting and had gained 35 pounds, had terrible eating habits, and was basically a slug. I knew after my meeting with Gena Coleman that not only was Empower right for me, but so was Gena.
I have now lost 30 of those pounds and feel better than I have in years. My balance and flexibility have improved tremendously, as has my core and general strength. But I also feel better on the inside. Working with Gena is also a form of therapy where I have an opportunity to discuss my eating habits and general mental health which enables me to remain focused on my personal goals.
Empower and Gena have put me back on the right track and I look forward to continued improvements!
George Livanos
Financial Advisor, Smith Barney
Like most men in their late 40′s, I had gotten way out of shape. Tired of gyms, and quite frankly the social aspect of working out, I decided to get serious…very serious! So I took myself down to Empower Personal Training on the advice of a close friend. That was October 2006, and now the months of intense training with Michael are paying off. I am losing weight slowly, my cholesterol levels are good, as are my blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar. It is not easy at first, but now this whole thing has become a way of life for me. I am very grateful for the care and attention I receive at the studio. I feel like I have a team behind me.
