Carl's Blog
 Periodized Training for Life’s Seasons: How to Stay Consistent Year-Round
Staying on track as the seasons change isn’t about controlling what we can’t—it’s about planning for what we can.
You can’t control the weather, your work schedule, school calendars, travel, or holidays. But you can control...
Â
Making Time, Building Strength, and Growing Where You’re Planted
This month’s Client of the Month is Amy Harmon, a busy mom of six who understands just how easy it is to put everyone else first—and how life-changing it can be to finally make time for yourself.
Amy returned to training during on...
Every January, people set bold goals with the best intentions. Lose weight. Get stronger. Feel better. And for a few weeks, it feels good. Motivation is high. The plan is fresh.
Then life happens.
By March, most goals have quietly slipped away. Not because people don’t care—but because goal-settin...
Jim Curtis knows pressure.
As a lawyer, long days, constant mental load, and high expectations come with the territory. Decisions matter. Deadlines don’t move. And for years, like many high-performing professionals, Jim did what needed to be done to succeed at work—often at the expense of his own h...
The holidays are meant to be a season of joy, connection, and celebration. But for most adults, December quietly becomes one of the most stressful months of the year. Calendars fill up, routines get disrupted, and before long, the first thing sacrificed is often the very habit that keeps everything ...
Dave Skogen has never been interested in doing things halfway. Whether building a business, investing in people, or taking care of his health, Dave approaches life with intention, humor, and a deep sense of purpose.
Outside the studio, Dave keeps things refreshingly simple. He enjoys reading, and h...
Barb Skogen is the kind of person whose strength doesn’t announce itself — it’s felt. In conversation, in consistency, and in the way she shows up for the people around her, Barb embodies what it means to live with intention, grace, and quiet determination.
Outside the studio, Barb enjoys reading —...
NorthStar Fitness — Client of the Month FeatureÂ
Some people walk into NorthStar and quietly elevate the entire room. They bring depth, humor, resilience, and a kind of grounded optimism that makes you want to be better.
Dr. John Schirger is one of those rare people.
He’s a cardiologist with a qui...
At NorthStar Fitness, we believe every client’s story is a journey of discovery—one where we guide, equip, and support them as they become the hero of their transformation. This month, that story belongs to Jay Sparks, our Client of the Month.
Â
Jay joined NorthStar just over a year ago with one s...
In a world that glorifies weight loss and quick fixes, it’s easy to believe that health is just about doing more, eating less, or chasing a smaller number on the scale.
 And our client of the month this month reminds us what lasting health actually looks like.
 This month, we’re celebrating a Nort...
From Military Discipline to Lasting Wellness: How Mike & Barb C Reclaimed Their Strength Together
When Mike and Barb C walked through the doors of NorthStar Fitness, they weren’t just looking for another gym—they were searching for a sustainable way to invest in their health and their future. What ...
At NorthStar Fitness, we don’t just train bodies—it's our mission to transform lives. And sometimes, a client’s journey reminds us all what’s possible when someone commits not just to showing up, but to rising up. This month, we’re proud to spotlight Connie Nau, whose path from professional success ...