In February, KickHouse hosted the 8-week Captain KickHouse Challenge. This Challenge pushed members to embrace the uncomfortable and unleash their inner resilience. With great success across the country, six winners were chosen overall based on their physical and mental transformations. KickHouse had the chance to ask these winners a series of questions about their experience with the KickHouse Challenge. Meet Mariah Maldonado from KickHouse Chantilly, our women’s first place national challenge winner.
Meet Mariah and read about her takeaways from the KickHouse Challenge:
1. What inspired you to join KickHouse and what made you join the Challenge?
“I joined KickHouse, March of 2021. I went in not knowing what to expect, but knowing something needed to change in my life. I needed to find myself again to be the parent and person that I knew I could be. At first I went in mainly to find something that would help improve my mental health but also help me physically, little did I know I would get that and MUCH more! I remember my first class, it was hard but the trainers were very supportive, patient, and knowledgeable. After that I was “hooked” literally.
I joined the Captain Kickhouse Challenge because I liked the macro based diet and coaching advice and encouragement that you received during the Back to U Challenge. I knew I was ready to step this challenge up to the next level for myself during this time.”
2. What does “Captain KickHouse” mean to you?
“Captain KickHouse means to me a community within. I say this because it truly has taken a fit fam to lead me and get me to this point in my journey. I feel that we are all there to inspire, push, and encourage each other from members to trainers. I am humble to say that if my journey can reach just one person and inspire them to help take control of their life again, or just to reduce stress then Captain KickHouse has done just that, they lead the way for another person to become stronger mentally and physically.”
3. How was your experience during the 8-week Challenge? Highs and lows?
“I can’t express how much the support of my teammates and coaches helped get me through this Challenge. The highs definitely out weighed the lows in the 8 weeks.
4. How do you feel kickboxing has impacted your health?
“Kickboxing saved me mentally and physically. I was not in a good place, but thanks to the support of the trainers I have found myself again, as a person and a parent. When I started back in 2021 I couldn’t do anything physical, not even get my shoulders off the ground and I couldn’t really kick the bag… I have lost nearly 100 lbs since I joined Kickhouse. I have gained my self confidence back, endurance, strength and a healthier mind and body overall. I have a new passion for life!!”
5. What are your current goals?
“My current goal is to build muscle through Personal Training and the kickboxing classes as well as improve my technique. I am also working towards weighing under 200lbs by continuing using the macro based tools given by KickHouse, I’m getting close to this goal. I also plan to keep “kicking it out” each day in studio.”
6. What would you say to anyone who was thinking about joining KickHouse and/or the Challenge?
“If you are looking for a fun, challenging, high energy and not the normal boring workout KickHouse is for you!! The energy that we receive off each other helps make the workout that much better! I would say take one class and after that you will be “hooked”. You will truly gain a fit fam with the members and trainers. Whether you are looking for a few days a week to workout and relieve stress, or if you are looking for a more intense daily regime and personal training you can’t go wrong! Joining any of the Challenges, 6 week or 8 week are also a great way to start your healthier living lifestyle.”
About KickHouse:
KickHouse is a modern kickboxing studio offering a variety of class formats, each rooted in kickboxing but with additional fitness flare added in. The KickHouse mission is to help members and communities take their health and kick it up a level via a consistent kickboxing practice! The new kickboxing brand has quickly grown to over 35 locations across the country and is looking to grow to 100 kickboxing studios within the next six months. If you’re interested in becoming a fitness franchise owner and opening your own KickHouse studio, visit https://www.thekickhouse.com/franchise.