Congratulations to Jessica Clanton, our July Fitness Patron of the Month!

Check out her story here:

Hi, I’m Jessica, and I’m truly honored (and a little surprised!) to be named July’s Fitness Patron of the Month. I’m not one to talk about myself, but if you’ve ever tried to keep up with me—you know I don’t sit still for long! I’m a single mom of four amazing, active kids, and our family calendar is packed from sunup to sundown with softball, soccer, wrestling, basketball, track meets, and more. I coach their soccer teams when I can, and when I’m not coaching, I’m cheering loudly from the sidelines (yes, loudly—my voice is basically part of the game at this point!). I like to bring energy and fun into everything I do—whether it's at a game, in a fitness class, or during everyday chaos. Supporting my kids and helping others stay active is a huge part of who I am. In addition to being a full-time mom, I also work full-time as a Finance Director for a municipality. Balancing a demanding job, parenting, coaching, and staying active isn’t easy—but for me, fitness is a priority. Growing up, I played basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball—team sports have always been a huge part of my life. I went on to play college soccer, which deepened my love for movement, teamwork, and pushing myself. And yes, I am very competitive— whether it’s on the field, in a fitness class, or even a friendly game night, I bring my A-game! In my classes at the rec center, I’m always silently competing against my last best effort—trying to lift a little heavier, move a little faster, or push through one more rep. It’s my way of staying motivated and proving to myself what I’m capable of. Whether it’s early mornings, lunch breaks, or whenever I can squeeze in a class between everything else, the rec center is where I reset. I love trying new workouts, seeing familiar faces, and encouraging others to join me. One of the things I value most about Carbon Valley Rec Center is the people—the camaraderie in the classes is real. The energy, support, and friendships built there are powerful, and the people I work out with inspire me to keep showing up. Working out is more than just physical for me—it’s how I process, recharge, and stay mentally strong. Life has its challenges, and I’ve had my share, but even on the hardest days, moving my body and being surrounded by positive energy reminds me I’m not alone. I try to be that same source of encouragement for others because there’s something truly powerful about showing up—especially when you don’t feel like it. I’ve always believed movement is medicine—for the body and the mind. When I’m not at work, coaching/cheering, or at the rec center, I’m usually working on a DIY project around the house or doing something outside in the yard. I love staying busy and making things better—whether it’s organizing a room, planting flowers, or repainting a wall I changed my mind about (again). In the winter, I trade in cleats for skis and head to the mountains when I can. In the summer, you might find me volunteering at Rockies games, working the concession stand to help support our kids’ sports teams. And of course, I love catching games whenever I can—whether it’s the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, or my forever team: the Nebraska Cornhuskers! To anyone just starting out or feeling overwhelmed, I’ll say this: don’t aim for perfect—just show up. Start small. Find something that makes you feel good and build from there. You’ll be surprised at how much strength you have, and how many amazing people are walking right beside you. Thank you again for this recognition—it truly means a lot. Hope to see you in class (if you can keep up)! �