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Meet Paul: Men’s Second Place National Back To U Challenge Winner

paul back to u challenge winner

In August, KickHouse hosted the 8-week Back To U 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. The winners not only took home cash prizes but confidence in themselves that they can kick it up a level. KickHouse had the chance to ask these winners a series of questions about their experience with the KickHouse Challenge. Paul Battista from KickHouse Winchester, our men’s second place national challenge winner, took home $3,000! 

Meet Paul and read about his takeaways from the KickHouse Challenge:

 

paul back to u challenge winner

 

 

1.  What inspired you to join KickHouse and what made you join the Challenge?

“I have been an athlete most of my life from playing college football at Georgia Southern University to completing marathons, triathlons, and open water distance swimming. In 2018 and 2019 I went through a nasty divorce stopped exercising and put on about 60-70 pounds. I first joined KickHouse in October 2020 and participated in a 6 week challenge. During that challenge I lost 26 pounds. That was the start of my journey.”

 

2.  What does “Back To U” mean to you?

“Back to U means to me that I am reconnecting with myself and finding who I am again. I was lost for a long time, but now I have focus and accountability to myself.”

 

3.  How was your experience during the 8-week Challenge? Highs and lows?

“The experience was amazing. It was very reminiscent of being back on one of my teams from youth. The entire team from the coaches and other participants were always there to support and hold you accountable. Even with that there were time that I hit some low points. In the beginning I was cutting my calories too much…. Haley and her team provided some guidance and got me on the right track. Towards the end of the challenge my body was physically tired. The team kept me motivated to finish strong and win at the end of the day.”

 

4.  How do you feel kickboxing has impacted your health?

“It is easy to get into a workout routine and start simply going through the motions. Before you know it your working out intensity has tapered and you are not getting out out of a workout. Kickboxing changed that for me. It added one more very versatile full body routines to my toolbox. I am able to add 3-4 kickboxing classed to my schedule each week keeping me motivated and engaged to the process.”

 

5.  What are your current goals?  

“In October 2020 I was 297 lbs., this morning I weighed in at 218.5 lbs… My goal is to be under 200 pounds and able to run a 1:45 1/2 marathon.”

 

6.  What would you say to anyone who was thinking about joining KickHouse and/or the Challenge?

“Quit making excuses, win the day and get your life back.”

 

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.

Let's Kick it!

KickHouse is the most supportive family in fitness.

We will sweat. We will laugh. We will help each other reach the next level. No matter what life throws at us. we will get through it. Because as individuals we are strong. But together, we are unstoppable. Welcome to KickHouse.