October Sessions - Terra Monson

As I've stated in the previous interview, most of my guests have a connection with KD the Writer, but a couple of peeps have ties to KD the Person. And for those new to this and to me, yes, there is a difference between KD the Writer and KD the Person...it's a whole entire thing. Take a look at my "Share Your World" interview series where I interviewed KD the Person. Anyway, where was I? Ties? Yeah...so one was Carrol Spool, another is my next guest.

People that follow me on Twitter have seen my occasional tweets about my fitness journey. I went from XXXL to hovering between L and M, and from 44 in pants to 34. One person set me on the right path. One person put me through my paces. Taught me the importance of form and working out safely. One person took me to my limits, then motivated me to push past them.

That one person is my fitness trainer. It is truly an honor to introduce Terra Monson.

KD: So first, let's get into it, shall we? You're on the world stage. Tell us about Terra.

Terra Monson: Haha, world stage, huh? I don't know what I would tell the world about myself, I'm pretty private. Kansas City, Missouri is my hometown, but I live in Colorado right now. I love my family. My daughter and husband are top priority in my life. I'm always willing to help and be of service to others. I enjoy working with seniors most. I collect rocks, minerals, fossils, bones and dragon figurines. As a family we do a lot of backwoods camping. In the woods and mountains is where I feel most at peace.

KD: And for relaxation?

Terra Monson: Snuggle and play with my dog. Vacation into the woods. I'm also a big fan of naps when I can get them.

KD: You had me at naps. I will take a nap in a New York minute. For any reason. Like, if I'm sitting still for longer than twenty minutes, chances are a nap is about to go down. Okay, time for a shout-out and represent what you like best about your neck of the woods.

Terra Monson: For Colorado, that's gotta be the mountains. They are a great place to escape to.

KD: Thoughts on the month of October? I mean, this being the October Sessions, I'm almost obligated to ask, right?

Terra Monson: October is the cooling weather and changing trees. Fall is my favorite season. It's time to break out the boots and sweaters. It's no secret I dislike Halloween.

(I wanna drive by a huge pile of raked leaves, dive in them like Calvin & Hobbes, then drive off.)

KD: So, time for the three-parter. What genre of music/movies & shows/reading do you listen to/watch/read more than others?

Terra Monson: Music- I like everything. There is always a song to fit or set the mood. Movies/shows- fantasy for sure. Anything with dragons, adventure and magical elements. Books- I like self help books. I'm always trying to learn ways to better myself.

KD: Dragons are so freaking kewl, right? Okay, so tell us a bit about your journey to become a fitness trainer.

Terra Monson: I think it started because I have a "little person" complex. Lol. I've always been small, short, and skinny. I wanted to be bigger. I had no confidence and felt like a weakling. I started working out, gained some weight and felt a lot better in my own skin. I saw how the mentality of that affected all other areas of my life and thought, I want to share this with everybody. Fast forward to several certifications and degrees later, I get to help people become the best versions of themselves, at least physically. Seeing that physical change lead to mental change in someone is very rewarding. I like being a part of that.

(I'm a witness. It took a good minute for my mind to catch up to my body. To accept I'm no longer that 273 pound guy.)

KD: Coffee, tea, or...?

Terra Monson : Coffee, coffee...

KD: Right?

Terra Monson : ...then more coffee.

(I mean...)

KD: You motivate others, but what motivates you? Gets you through your day?

Terra Monson: Coffee, lol. Helping others. Being useful and of service. We aren't put on this earth to be self serving. I try to fulfill my part in helping others every day. That's my motivation, be a good person.

(She's not exaggerating about the coffee. We train together five days a week. Five mornings a week she starts the hour with my chart in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.)

KD: How would you describe yourself as far as personality and character? Terra Monson: Ummm. You wouldn't believe it, but reserved, initially. Lol. I'm an observer. I mind my own business, keep my mouth shut, and like to stay under the radar. I'm a lover and a fighter. A nurturer. An adventurer. A child of God. All I want is to be a good wife, a good mother, and help as many people as I can with my time here on Earth. KD: You've definitely been a big help for me. And how would your friends describe you? Terra Monson: Haha, I think probably...positive, caring, and good at keeping their secrets. KD: Personally speaking, I appreciate you keeping one or two of mine. One sentence parenting advice. Terra Monson: Don't try to be "cool" with your child, you're their parent, not their friend.

(And they throw it in your face whenever they beat you at video games. Especially that Cars 3 racing game. Yeah, I'm looking at you, son.)

KD: Two sentence fitness advice. Terra Monson: It's never too late to change your life. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

KD: Where do you land on the introvert - extrovert scale?

Terra Monson: In the middle I guess. Introverted naturally, but my job requires more of an extrovert.

KD: I'm trying to work my way towards the middle. Until then, the life of an introvert. Can you elaborate on an instance where you’ve witnessed the biggest client transformation, fitness-wise? Terra Monson: Your transformation, "KD", this year has been impressive! You've lost 80 pounds of fat, and added 15 pounds of muscle. Starting to have confidence in yourself and come out of your shy shell a bit. Lol, I need to check those numbers, is that right?

(I put KD in quotes because she is one of the few guests who knows my real name. KD the Writer, KD the Person...again, it's a whole entire thing. And the numbers are pretty darn close.)

KD: What, to you, is the greatest aspect of America?

Terra Monson: I think we are all a little disappointed with what's going on with America right now. But I believe that people are mostly good. There is a lot of love here, unfortunately it takes tragedy to bring it out of most people.

KD: What are your other passions outside of training?

Terra Monson: Camping, shooting, hiking, fishing, prepping. Learning survivalist type things with my family. Rescuing animals. Dogs, cats, birds, any creature.

KD: Name something you wish you would have known or learned way earlier than you did?Terra Monson: How to identify, process, and manage my feelings. A big one I realized recently is depression comes from self pity, anger comes from control issues, and anxiety comes from the future. If you're living in the past, or tripping on the future, you're missing today. KD: Pet peeves? Terra Monson: Chewing with your mouth open. Smacking gum. Sitting still in a merge lane. Not controlling your child in a store. Someone finding my ice cream stash and eating it all. Just to name a few, lol. (Guess we're just not gonna mention that gym pet peeve of not putting away workout equipment after use, huh?)

KD: And can you tell me about a "wow" moment you experienced?

Terra Monson: The presidential elections...

(I mean, the way that answer can be taken left or right...)

KD: What was your biggest accomplishment of 2022 thus far? And, what's a goal you have for 2023?

Terra Monson: Keeping my 12 year old daughter in line, lol, no joke though. For 2023 I have a goal to save enough to put a down payment on a house.

KD: Both are worthwhile goals. What's an unpopular opinion you stand by?

Terra Monson: Haha. Is this a set up?

(I'm smiled as I typed that part up.)

KD: What are things that you wouldn't mind others knowing about you and your world?

Terra Monson: Goodness, lol. I don't know. I'm private and tend to be protective of my small space in the world. I've been through a lot, and managed to turn all my pain into growth. So if you need someone to talk to, I'm always open to talk about real stuff with anybody.

(Despite looking power-packed and being "drill instructor-ish" during training sessions, she really is someone a person can talk to.)

My thanks to Terra Monson for being my October Sessions guest! And for being instrumental in making me healthier today than yesterday. As for you, the reader, thank you for engaging with me. I hope you enjoy reading these sessions as much as I have conducting them! Feel free to share your thoughts! I can be found on Twitter @kdwebster4!

Okay, until the next session...