Fit Life in the Spotlight: Angie Reeves

I first "met" Angie when I noticed she was featured in  a lot of the marketing promotions for one of my favorite companies - Momentum Jewelry. I knew she was a fellow football wife from one of her bios and so I reached out to her! We sure end up making friends crazy ways sometimes, don't we? I should seriously do a post just about the random ways I've made friends! Spoiler: "Shameless" should be my middle name. Regardless of how we met, it has been fun to see her navigating through having 4 kids, being a D1 football wife and being an awesome fitness coach! I'm so excited to feature Angie Reeves today! 

Meet Angie. She and her husband Rob have been married for 14 years. He's the tight ends coach for the Minnesota Gophers. In a rare football world occurance - the Reeves have been with coach Jerry Kill for 20 years! Angie and Rob are college sweethearts, they met at Saginaw Valley State where she played basketball and he played football (under Coach Kill). After graduation, Rob started his coaching career under Coach Kill and they have since lived in Emporia, KS, Carbondale, IL, DeKalb, IL and now Minneapolis, MN. Rob and Angie have 4 kids: Riley (10), Addison & Jackson (8) and Brady (5). On top of being a mom to 4 busy kids and a football wife, Angie teaches group fitness classes M-F at a local gym and is an online health & fitness coach through Beachbody. Prior to staying home and working in the fitness industry, Angie was a high school English teacher for 9 years. 

Have you always been active?

I have! Family environment I'd say had a lot to do with it. I come from a family of six kids, but my brother and I were close in age and the oldest, then six years before the next sibling. We were always outside, always active. My dad was a teacher and would open the gym in the evenings for pick-up basketball games. When I was too young to join, I'd bring a ball and shoot on a side basket, watching the older kids/adults play. I loved it! I ended up playing basketball through college.

What is your favorite way to workout?

I now teach group fitness classes, so I love being up in front of the class. But I also love working out at home - fell in love with home workouts after having my first child. Back then it was Tae Bo with Billy Blanks! More recently I've fallen in love with Insanity, PiYo, and TurboFire!  

What motivates you to exercise?

I am super blessed that I LOVE exercise. I don't need much external motivation - I truly enjoy sweating and relieving stress through exercise. I also now work as a fitness coach - online - helping others live their healthiest lives. That creates another layer of accountability! I can't push the people I'm coaching to workout and eat clean if I'm not living that example myself! 

What do you eat for breakfast?

l am a total creature of habit! Four years ago I was given a sample of a shake to try - by a mom friend who promised I'd feel great, lose cravings for junk and gain energy just by drinking the shake. I had never been a shake gal and was pretty skeptical that it could deliver all she said, but I gave it a try and fell in love. Four years later, it's rare that I don't have my Shakeology for breakfast! Chocolate Vegan is my flavor of choice! 

How about a favorite post-workout snack?

I love chocolate milk after a workout! If I've really hit it hard I'll have P90x Results & Recovery as well, although BeachBody, who I work for, has just come out with a new Sports Performance line - so I'm excited to try out the new Recover drink! 

Otherwise, I also like fresh fruit in cottage cheese, and I have a soft spot for these clean fig newtons I found at our local Trader Joe's! 

What is the biggest challenge in balancing your own fitness, work and being a football wife?

We all know how crazy our husband's schedules are - if it's not season it's recruiting! Very little down time. We've been married 14 years and dated 5 years before that, so I've come to roll with things pretty well. My kids know when it's Mommy's workout time they need to find a way to entertain themselves! ;) 

My work allows me great flexibility - I basically set my own hours around the kids' schedules, so I'm blessed in that way. I use to teach high school English, but after our fourth was born, it just wasn't feasible anymore to have us both working outside the home. So, I've been home with the kids now for five years. 

What do you love most about teaching fitness classes?

I love the energy of the class! Even on those days when I drag myself to the club and hope no one shows up for my class... the moment the music starts and I feel the energy from the members, a flip switches inside and it's ON! I also love the connections made. Some of my closest friends, outside of my football family, are women I've met through the classes I teach. 

How do you incorporate fitness into family time?

We have four very active kids who all play hockey, baseball/softball, football, etc. Their fitness is their sports! ;) 

What's harder for you? Exercising consistently or eating right? 

Since I love and crave fitness, I'd say the eating right is more of a challenge. The biggest struggle is just finding ways to eat clean and healthy meals that the kids won't complain too much about! 

Do you have a favorite motivational quote?

You GET OUT what you PUT IN! 

How many times have you moved as a coach's wife?

We've lived in Michigan, Kansas, So. IL, No. IL and now Minnesota! 

What tips do you have to get involved in a new fitness community?

Just let your passion be contagious! Start small if needed, as a sub, and then build the excitement about what you bring to the class by showing up with fire each day! 

Would you rather train with friends or alone?

With friends, no doubt! I always crank it up a notch when I'm working out with friends than when I'm alone. And it's just more FUN!

Do you ever train with other coaches' wives?

I sometimes train with their husbands - LOL! We live in the Twin Cities of MN, and we're super spread out around the cities. I sometimes head up to the football offices and lead the guys who want to participate in a Kettle bell class. I enjoy that, and my husband's reports of guys not being able to walk the next day always make me smile ;) 

Is there any food you absolutely avoid?

Not really. I'm all about the 80/20 rule. I eat clean 80% of the time, but we all have to enjoy a cheat once in a while! 

It's SPLURGE day! What are your go-to foods?

Chocolate!!!! And red wine!!

If you could do a workout ANYWHERE with ANYONE what would it be?

Live with Chalene Johnson out by her pool! No doubt! 

What fitness things are on your “bucket list”?

I've completed two Tough Mudders - that was on my bucket list for sure. I'd one day like to be a Master Trainer with BeachBody - traveling around training others to become dynamite instructors! 

What is your typical game day routine? 

These days I'm usually racing from a hockey rink or two before the game, just hoping to get to the stadium before kick-off! My tailgating days have been put on hold, as our 10, 8, 8 and 5 year old kids are super involved in sports! Once we're at the stadium though, we always stand in the tunnel to high-five the team as they walk in & get a hug from Dad! The girls bring him a good luck necklace, and he always has bubble gum to pass out! Love that game day routine! 

What are your favorite sports to do/to watch?

Thankfully I love watching college football! Even when my hubby's gone, I up for Game Day, and I'd watch all day long if I could. I also love watching college basketball & hockey (especially the Gophers obviously!) I joined a women's Learn-to-Skate league since moving to Minnesota. With four kids in hockey I figured I better learn more about this crazy game! I enjoy that, and of course I love shooting hoops! 

What is your proudest accomplishment? 

My proudest accomplishment - wow! That's tough to just name one. Raising four amazing kids would have to be at the top! Making marriage work for 14 years - and really working to keep the love stronger than ever - that's an accomplishment I'm pretty proud of! 

Any other tips for us? 

Make time to take a step back - and realize how truly blessed you are! And always give the glory to God! 

THANKS ANGIE and GO GOPHERS! 

Fit Life in the Spotlight is a regular feature on Home Field Fitness. I love sharing what fit and healthy women in the sports world are doing! They sure motivate me - and my hope is that they will motivate you too! If you know someone (or you yourself) that should be featured here - send me a message! 

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