Danna’s Story
Danna Bond of Bartonville looses 35 pounds in 4 camps

Vanessa’s story
Vanessa White on Target to Lose 125 Pounds
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Men’s Camp

1 Man’s Frustration with the Gym leads 15 Men to Reclaim their Athleticism and Shed 74 + Pounds
in 4 Weeks

Home workouts have never been too successful for me. When left alone to complete a workout it was too easy to skip that last rep, set or even the workout all together. I built a home gym, however I’d go days making excuses not to walk into it.

So I put on a couple of extra pounds, bought slightly larger shirts and at each annual physical told my Doctor “Yes Doc I know I need to drop 10-15, don’t

put me on meds for Hypertension yet I plan on starting next week.”Then my wife Julie started Argyle Adventure Boot Camp with Kelli Calabrese in the summer of ’07 and was instantly hooked. She was a competitive athlete in High School and enjoyed the coaching that Kelli provided.

I was envious of my wife’s opportunity to attend camp. Other than a few opportunities to attend camp on Bring-a-Friend day, I was left out. On the few days I was able to attend the women’s camp I quickly realized it was the most efficient, enjoyable and productive workout for me. One other fact dawned on me; these ladies are making incredible progress!

What helped them I’m sure is the camaraderie they all feel. As individuals they are in it for personal goals, but as co-campers they are in it for each other. There were no egos at the women’s camp, without styled hair or make-up. The more experienced campers encourage the newbie’s, cheering on the less fit to complete the activity. I’d think to myself how wonderful it must feel to have campers cheering you on.

I have no doubt the culture of Argyle Adventure Boot Camp is a result of the experience, dedication and deep commitment of Kelli Calabrese. She obviously derives great personal satisfaction in helping others achieve better health through exercise, good eating and a positive attitude.

Kelli says, “I was standing in the parking lot of Cross Timbers Community Church in July when Julie walked up and said, “Why can’t you run a men’s camp other there”. And she pointed across the parking lot to a large open space. I stared at it for a moment and imagined what we have for the women, taking place for the men. Immediately after camp I went home to search for a male boot camp instructor.  Our Denton Boot Camp Coach, Laci Wallace recommended Brad Jurica and thankfully he liked to wake up early!  Brad is a doctorate student in sports psychology, is a marathoner, Brazilian Jujitsu student, competitive Ultimate Frisbee player, former Division 1 soccer player and has the biggest smile you have seen on a tough man!  He was a perfect for helping men make positive lifestyle transformations and physical makeovers and so began the makings of a men’s boot camp”. 

Brad admitted, “I was immediately interested in the opportunity because coaching the men’s camp would combine all of my skills as a fitness coach as well as a sports psychologist and athlete. I trained with Kelli for 6 weeks, passed my certification and then began the first men’s camp Sept 15th with 15 eager men of all shapes, sizes and abilities.  Some signed up with the goal to lose 10 or more pounds, others realized they weren’t the athletes they were back in the day, and others admitted their wives signed them up.  Regardless of their initial motivation, everyone is seeing life transforming results, firming up their midsections, improving their athletic performance, making friends and having a lot of laughs along the way.  Each morning I look forward to challenging these men and watching them relive their youth”

I’m just about to complete the first session of Argyle Adventure Boot Camp for Men and I am sore but that’s good! Brad is upbeat, knowledgeable and makes each session interesting. I see this as a lifestyle now and look forward to each session. The days I miss due to work are hard to accept. I’m meeting a great group of guys, diverse in many ways and without camp I doubt I’d have the chance to meet them. Jesse is training for the start of his season playing for Frisco Thunder. John in his early 30’s joined to get back in shape and in 3 weeks has noticed major improvements in shedding excess fat along with a huge increase in energy.  His headaches and backaches are gone, his co-workers notice his more positive attitude and his wife continually compliments him on his flat stomach.  Tom and Anthony are almost 50 and committed to having a six pack.  I look forward to the feeling of being back in High School athletics each session. No I’ll never have that 18 year old physique again but my mind is more clear, my muscles more firm and it feels like I’m 18 again as I give it my all each time Brad makes us sprint across the parking lot.