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In Episode 5 of RACStars, host John Hinman sits down with Alexis Smith, a certified personal trainer and fitness coach at the Rome Athletic Club. With a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in sports management, and a lifetime spent around athletics, Alexis brings together her love of sports, fitness, and people in her work at the RAC.

Growing up in small-town Cedar Bluff, Alabama, Alexis began playing sports at just four years old and spent much of her childhood competing in basketball, softball, and cross country. She shares some of the lessons athletics taught her early—including a piece of coaching advice that has stuck with her into adulthood: control what you can control.

Alexis also reflects on graduating high school during COVID, making the difficult decision to walk away from opportunities to play college sports, and discovering what fitness looked like when there was no longer a coach or practice schedule telling her what to do. That transition eventually helped turn the gym from something connected to sports into an important part of her own life.

Today, Alexis brings those experiences to her work as a personal trainer at the RAC. She talks with John about her coaching philosophy, why she loves high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and how she adapts her approach to meet clients wherever they are—from someone simply wanting to move better and keep up with their grandchildren to someone chasing a specific strength goal.

In this episode: growing up as a lifelong athlete, navigating the end of competitive sports, finding community and direction in college, building a career around fitness, understanding HIIT, and learning what it means to coach the person—not just the workout.

Key takeaway: Control what you can control—and when something is outside your control, learn to let it be.

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In Episode 4 of RACStars, host John Hinman sits down with Jessica Barger, an art teacher, mother of five, competitive bodybuilder, and regular at the Rome Athletic Club. Jessica's story is one of discipline, resilience, and finding time for yourself, even in the busiest seasons of life.

Growing up as the daughter of a Special Forces soldier, Jessica reflects on an unconventional childhood, overcoming dyslexia, ADHD, and Asperger's, and discovering that determination could overcome almost any obstacle. Those same qualities eventually led her from someone who had little interest in fitness to a competitive bodybuilder with a passion for strength training.

Jessica also shares what life looks like behind the scenes: balancing a career as a high school art teacher, raising five children in a blended family, helping with the family bike shop, and still making time to prioritize her health. Along the way, she discusses the importance of whole-food nutrition, tracking progress, working with a coach, and why consistency matters more than perfection.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Growing up as an Army brat and finding community
• Overcoming learning differences through determination
• Teaching creativity in today's classroom
• Building healthy habits in the middle of a busy family life
• The journey from the 75 Hard Challenge to competitive bodybuilding
• Why strength training is for everyone, especially women
• How routine and consistency create lasting change

Whether you're a parent trying to make time for yourself, someone beginning a fitness journey, or simply looking for encouragement to tackle your next challenge, Jessica's story is a reminder that progress comes from showing up day after day.

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In Episode 3 of RACStars, host John Hinman sits down with Rome Athletic Club member and competitive bodybuilder Elizabeth Newberry. What begins as a conversation about training and bodybuilding quickly becomes a powerful story of resilience, discipline, and personal transformation.

Elizabeth shares how growing up as a lifelong athlete eventually led her to competitive bodybuilding, despite once insisting she hated lifting weights. She reflects on recovering from a serious knee injury, losing more than 80 pounds, competing alongside her sister, and discovering a passion that would completely reshape her life.

The conversation also explores a much deeper journey. Elizabeth speaks candidly about overcoming an abusive relationship and how the gym became more than a place to build muscle. It became the place where she rebuilt her confidence, rediscovered her self-worth, and learned to show up for herself every day.

Along the way, Elizabeth shares practical advice on:

• Building consistency in the gym
• Nutrition and meal planning
• Structuring effective workouts
• Preparing for bodybuilding competitions
• Why beginners shouldn't fear the weight room
• Learning to compete with yourself instead of comparing yourself to others

Whether you're just beginning your fitness journey or you've been training for years, Elizabeth's story is a reminder that strength is about far more than the weight on the bar. It's about resilience, discipline, and becoming stronger than the challenges you've faced.