June Member of the Month: Tony Bigonia

Tony Bigonia

 “Of course, I told her she was trying to kill me...!”

My name is Tony Bigonia and I have been a member of Razor Sharp Fitness on Washington Avenue since March of 2014. I have always thought that fitness should be a part of my life,  and since I was in high school, I have always had that work/life balance, including fitness in all aspects of my life. After my wife passed away in November 2013, however, that balance was not there anymore and I knew I needed some help.

My wife was also a fit person and was a member of Razor Sharp, attending many regular classes – yoga, weights. Originally, when I had met with Membership Director Laurie Swanson, it was to cancel my wife’s membership. In the end, I signed up for a membership of my own. At the same time, knowing that I could not do this by myself, I also signed up for a personal trainer to help “whip-me-into-shape.” In walks Krystal DeBaker to my life!

Let me tell you a little bit about Krystal….

First, the reason, I think, that Laurie recommended Krystal for my personal trainer is that she is a runner and I had said that I wanted to get back into running. Also, she is this little young lady that knows how to make sure you get your money’s worth from every workout. Krystal also knew my wife.

I remember, vividly (though some of this may be exaggerated), our first meeting. Krystal took me to the track area and asked me to jump on top of a 4’ high box.

I told her that she should do it first. You must know that Krystal is maybe 5’ tall and I am 6’4”, so that was funny.

Once done with that, she told me that I needed to push that box 50 yards, a couple times. She then left and came back with 50 pounds of weights to put on the box I was to push.

Of course, I told her she was trying to kill me! And that began the weekly, or semi-weekly, test of what Krystal could come up with that Tony could not do, or would struggle to do.

More recently, I went back to the Razor Spa to take an Acupuncture treatment for my allergies, since Laurie had most recently had lots of success with the treatment. I met with the Acupuncturist on a Tuesday and within a week, was medication-free and never felt better.

I also found out that some of the side effects of the drugs I was on for my allergies were causing other medical issues, of which I wasn’t aware.

So, for over one year, I have been a very happy and a healthy member of Razor Sharp.

That’s why I’m happy to host a Razor Sharp table at my business, Uncorkt on Main Street in downtown Racine, during special events. If I can encourage my customers to exercise more, I can count on their business for many more years to come! I also appreciate that Razor Sharp is a local business like my own, and that we can cooperate to build each other’s clientele, like friends and neighbors do for each other.

April Members of the Month: Michelle Westrich and Donna Hammond

Michelle Westrich and Donna Hammond just
completed the second year of their
fitness journey together

Workout buddies celebrate two years of their healthier, fitter lives!

Michelle’s Story:

“What started as a weight loss goal has become a healthy lifestyle goal.”

My weight and activity level has fluctuated over the years. I had joined gyms and Weight Watchers multiple times and would find some success but never really met my goals. In December 2011, due to poor eating habits and very little physical activity, I found my weight at an all-time high and my elevated cholesterol requiring medication.

As a cardiovascular nurse, I knew I was not headed down a good path. When Razor Sharp opened the Erie Street location I was finally ready for a change.

I worked out by myself for a few months and began tracking what I ate using the MyFitnessPal app. I made a little progress on my own, but I had so much weight to lose.

When I started working with Personal Trainer Nick Estep, things started to come together. With Nick’s help I learned to not just track my food, but to be concerned with the nutrients in food. I learned to not just exercise, but to exercise the right way.

 By training every week, incorporating what Nick was teaching me and holding myself accountable by tracking my food, I was able to lose 82 pounds, lower my cholesterol and stop taking medication. After almost two years, the weight is still off and I still train with Nick every week.

What started as a weight loss goal has become a healthy lifestyle goal. Nick continues to challenge me and help me improve and reach new goals. I still track my food; I find that if I don’t, the scale begins to creep up.

Donna and I encourage and keep each other accountable. Having a friend with similar goals is very valuable – not everyone “gets it.” Donna does. When you embark on a major lifestyle change, and losing 82 pounds is a big change, you need to surround yourself with the right people to help you succeed.

On a very basic level, losing weight is about eating less and moving more. The most valuable things I’ve learned have to do with the details of that basic premise. I have also learned that it’s not about losing weight so much as being healthy. I have incorporated these details into my life. I continue to work at it and challenge myself, and Donna and I are always there to support each other!

Donna’s Story:

“I’m NOT going back to that life.”

I joined Razor Sharp in October 2011, but it wasn’t until the following May when I finally walked in to work out. I had lost 40 pounds before, but then gained it all and back – and more. I couldn’t believe how difficult the mental battle was to get started again! However, with a family history of heart attacks – my father died at age 48, and two of my brothers survived heart attacks at 40 and 46, AND my mom survived one at 75 – I felt like I was a ticking time bomb.

So, I began working out 5-6 days a week. Still, the scale barely moved. Frustrated, I decided to add the weight machines at the gym and began using MyFitnessPal to track my food. That combination, along with consistency, finally started to pay off.

Another great help to me was doing this with Michelle. She and I had been friends and had jogged together on occasion since she lives near me. We became friends on MyFitnessPal, started going to the gym together when we could, and have been able to cheer each other on during this journey. She was working with Personal Trainer Nick Estep, and I saw her progress with strength training and toning. I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, so I felt I couldn’t justify a personal trainer when I wasn’t working.

In 2013, after losing 46 pounds, and my youngest getting ready to graduate from high school, I began asking myself, “What now?”  My answer that spring was to take the classes required to renew my teaching license.

My weight loss gave me confidence to apply for jobs and interview. I was hired at a middle school in Racine in August 2013. It has been one wild ride, but the weight loss and energy I have from exercising has given me what I have needed to handle my job.

With a paycheck coming in, I decided to start training with Nick in July of last year. I felt like I was in a rut with my exercise and needed something different to keep me going.

Nick changes things up every week, tailored to what I need to challenge me and help me progress. He is also very patient with my endless question: “Why am I doing this???” The extra toning and strengthening he’s done with me is particularly beneficial at my age, when I am naturally losing bone density and flexibility.

This past winter, I gained about 10 pounds. As I saw the scale moving up, panic crept in. My new clothes were beginning to feel uncomfortable. Six weeks before Easter, I re-committed to using all the tools available to me – though I was still exercising, I had stopped tracking my food. I also shared this new dedication with Michelle for accountability.

At the end of six weeks, I had lost 8.2 pounds and was able to wear my summer clothes on a trip to Florida. I was so incredibly excited when everything fit!  The combination of food tracking, consistent exercise, a friend who would come to my house to drag me to the gym (if necessary), some personal training, and an “I’m NOT going back to that life” attitude has been the key for me!

March Member of the Month, Jim Geiss

Jim "Chip" Geiss

Start living, or keep dying....

At the age of 54, I had to make this decision. After the loss of my sister in 2009, I fell into a depression and could not stop gaining weight. A visit to a wonderful new doctor in 2014 got me thinking differently, and I joined Razor Sharp last November.

I have been lucky to work with Personal Trainer Anthony Matoska to get me on the right track. In the first three months, I have lost 20 lbs, and my blood levels are all better than they have ever been. Not to brag, but my cholesterol is down to 130. Still at 400 lbs, I have the momentum and motivation to continue with my weight loss and body building.

All the staff and members at Razor Sharp treat me so well, they are definitely a part of my motivation. I spend an average of four days a week working out, including swimming, weights, walking on the track and using all the equipment. My trainer is a vital part of the entire experience.

February Member of the Month, Sharon Bellin

Sharon Bellin

Already halfway to reaching my first goal....

I came to Razor Sharp last September. I remember the day of the tour with my walker, I didn’t even want to see the whole facility because of weakness and pain. In a few short months, I have been able to trade my walker for a cane much of the time.

My goal was to lose at least 65 pounds and gain the strength needed for knee surgery. So I am going to a weight loss clinic and training with Ben Kempen for an hour twice a week.

I’m already about halfway to reaching my first goal of losing the weight and gaining strength for surgery. But after surgery and its physical therapy, I know I'll need more strength training.

From the very beginning, I have felt very comfortable at Razor Sharp. I like the friendliness of all the people that work here. I am sure all the trainers are like Ben, and adjust the training activities to your specific needs.

Thank you for choosing me as Member of the Month.

January Member(s) of the Month, Scott Jiroch and Curt Haarsma

Scott Jiroch

Curt (left) and Scott (right) spend time on the
weight machines and the basketball floor

Four days in the hospital gave me plenty of time to figure out that I needed to get back in shape....

In 2012, I was 222 pounds with a 38” waist – along with four broken ribs and 10 stitches in my head from a bicycle accident.

Those four days helped me decide to join Razor Sharp to start the process. I was under the direction of several trainers, and learned from them the importance of not just working out, but working out the right way. Now, two years later at 59 years old, I’m down to 180 pounds and my waist is 36”.

I especially enjoy the front desk staff and the atmosphere. But most of all, I have a renewed motivation and dedication to work out daily with all of the new friends I’ve made at Razor Sharp who share the same goals.

Curt Haarsma

I wanted to be around to see my son grow up....

Eight years ago, after my divorce, I decided it was time for a life change. I began to eat healthier and started a workout routine. Part of my motivation has been my son, who is now 16 years old. I realized that I wanted to be around to see him grow up, get married, and someday to take my grandkids to Door County and be able to enjoy the outdoors together with them.

Curt and Scott with, left to right, Personal Trainer Krystal DeBaker, Front Desk/Daycare
Director Marianne Lawson and Membership Director Laurie Swanson.

Now, at age 45, I have lost 40 pounds and 4” from my waist, and gained 3” on my arms and chest. I also just feel better and have more energy. This was a really important change for my life and health.

None of this would be possible without the wonderful trainers and staff at Razor Sharp. They really make the gym a family atmosphere. Special thanks go to my work-out buddy, Scott Jiroch. I would never have been able to accomplish this without him.

December Member Of The Month, Maria Steffen

On November 16, 2013, in my own mind, I was in pretty good shape. But, I wanted to try something new...

I realized, shortly into my very first CrossFit class, how my perception of fitness was significantly off-target. It was truly a humbling experience.

Through the first week, each workout was physically and mentally more challenging than the previous day’s. I was actually scared to go work out! But, I thought, “I signed up for six months, so I have to give it at least that much time to see if this was what I wanted.” And so, my journey began!   

The intimidation, anxiety and fear that I originally felt was replaced within days with feelings of inner strength, passion and the desire to become stronger. I realized that the worry I had felt was because CrossFit forced me to step outside of my comfort zone.  Once I had accepted that, CrossFit became an addiction!

I am very pleased with what I have learned in a little over a year as a member of Belle City CrossFit. But, I’m not done! Every day is a learning experience. Every day is an opportunity to push my own limits. 

I participate in CrossFit classes five days a week, minimum…most weeks, six days. I’ve learned that in order to truly make a difference in my performance, I must stick to this regimen. At first, I did it because I felt I needed to. Over time, I realized I do it because I love it.  In my opinion, if you’re going to have an addiction, this is a good one with positive results!

My success is not just because of my hard work. My success is a combined result of the dedication and motivation of my coaches and all the other CrossFit athletes.

We’re like a family.

November Member Of The Month, Kathy Hainchek

Kathy with Beatriz and Amanda

"Play Everyday! We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing...."

This year, I competed in the "Senior Olympics" held in Milwaukee and won two gold medals in Basketball and Basketball Free throw shooting. My team (60-64 age group) has advanced to the 2015 national tournament in Minneapolis as have I in the individual Free Throw event. 

Although I am growing older, it is so exciting to know that there are opportunities available for seniors to compete against other seniors in a variety of sports. This is a great incentive for me to continue to stay in shape and to pursue competing in other sports. I would like to encourage any seniors to check out this great opportunity.

I have belonged to many health clubs in the past, but I really enjoy the professional atmosphere Razor Sharp provides. More importantly, I like the fact that the fitness employees have degrees in their area of expertise and hold specific certifications in what they teach. It is very important to me to have proper training/technique from qualified instructors.

I would like to particularly thank Beatriz for providing a fun-filled Zumba Toning class and for encouraging me to add Hot Yoga to my workouts, and Amanda for working with me on my yoga technique. The combination of these classes, cardio, weights and stretching have contributed to my ability to successfully compete in sports at my age. In addition, thank you to Marianne for returning all my lost articles to me during my senior moments!


Just because we grow old doesn't mean we have to stop playing. I have had some setbacks in my life, ankle reconstruction, back surgery, several abdominal surgeries and I am an ovarian cancer survivor. So, if you have a setback, please keep in mind that it is possible to get back to your workouts and lead a healthy life.

Play on!