Mother of three, physical therapist, runner and content creator Stephanie Ham visited our Edina lab to kick off the summer. Balancing raising children, work, running and many other activities seems like an impossible task, but for Steph, it’s all part of her daily routine. She made time in her busy schedule to get a series of tests done with the goal of getting an in-depth and detailed look at her performance and health.
Steph came into our Edina Lab to learn more about her body composition, heart rate zones and more to hone in on her training protocol and uncover her true fitness levels.
Steph started off her testing with a DXA scan, wanting to discover metrics like bone density and body fat percentages. She spoke about how crucial it was to receive data on her current health, as well as her longevity goals, saying “As much as I want to be an athlete, I just want to be healthy and be there for my kids as long as I can.” She also added how getting a baseline for her body will be something she continues to track down the road in her life.
Steph also wanted an in-depth look at her heart rate zones from VO2max and lactate threshold testing, expressing that knowing and having this data will help her become the best runner she can be. Speaking on the importance of these tests Steph said, “One of the biggest things I took from today was my heart rate zones and how that can change the way I’m training.”
In addition to VO2max and DXA scanning, Steph did force plate testing and a movement screening. Steph has had a history of injuries during her athletic career, and the testing can highlight how previous injuries lead to imbalances. She found out key data on how her body and muscles are functioning, as well as ways to enhance performance moving forward.
Steph said one of the most important parts of her visit was the in-person data review. Sitting down with our team of expert physiologists after testing, breaking down what the data means and how she can implement changes based on the results. “I think the feedback I got was phenomenal, I’m a numbers gal and they were really great in that aspect” recalled Steph.
While juggling the many demands of her life, Steph has maintained the motivation and strength to train for longer races, including half marathon and 10-mile distances. However, when speaking about her future running plans, she said, “The race I’m most excited about is running a 5K with my daughter.”
The content she creates is catered to other runners, moms and anyone looking for quality fitness advice. She posts her times and distances, locations to run, strength training workouts and more, showing how she mixes her personal training and family life. Her experience serves as an inspiration for anyone striving to balance their passions and responsibilities while pursuing excellence in health.
Steph emphasized the importance of taking time to focus on your own health and well-being. With so many responsibilities, it is easy to forget to make time for yourself. She gave advice to other busy mothers, saying, “Invest in yourself” and encouraged others to take a step to improve their own health.
It was a blast to have Steph visit the lab and sit down with us to chat. We are grateful she trusted us with her performance testing and will be cheering her on toward her future running goals! Watch Steph’s full interview below.
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