“I never intended to start my own business, but people inspired me,” Mehan said. “The problem was I lived in Schuylerville, and to get fitness I would have to drive 15 to 20 minutes to Saratoga, spend an hour and drive 15 to 20 minutes back. It took a big chunk out of my day and as a mom it’s a lot. I’m like, ‘We need something in Schuylerville where you can wam-bam, 45 minutes, get it done, work hard and then get home all in an hour.’ We just didn’t have it here.”
As of Monday, July 8, Mehan moved to a new facility at 122 Broad Street in Schuylerville. What was once a vacant corner has now become a vibrant establishment with an open front window for all to see the members of Challenge by Choice leading a “health revolution” in Schuylerville.
“When I first started, I wanted a health revolution because there’s an obesity epidemic,” Mehan said. “I’m not going to change the world, but I can at least help the people in my town.”
Mehan has also taken fitness to the next level by leading a group of women known as Saratoga Savage to fitness competitions around the country. After competing to a fourth place finish last November in the bikini division at the Fitness Universe international show in Las Vegas, Mehan was hooked.
Soon, 10 future members of Saratoga Savage would be hooked as well and business would take off.
“When I came back from the show and had done well, I introduced it to other people who were not fitness instructors,” Mehan said. “They were moms, gym teachers, had office jobs, [worked at an] ice cream shop. They just started to incorporate it. People say, ‘I want to be a savage girl. Can I do it?’ I’m like, ‘Absolutely.’ Who says you can’t do a show? Who says you can’t be a competitor? You can fit it in. You do it in your lifestyle. You don’t have to work eight hours a day. You have an hour a day to work out and the nutrition is the biggest part and we teach them that.”
Before Mehan went to Vegas, she began using the Cathy Savage workouts. In less than half a year’s time, the mother of two girls became an ambassador for Cathy Savage Fitness in December of 2012, making her the go-to in Saratoga County for the company.
If someone wants to train in the upstate area, they go to Mehan.
Saratoga Savage’s last regional competition was April 27 at Foxwoods. Out of the seven competitors represented, the team came back with five trophies, including Mehan’s first-place performance in the bikini division and second-place showing in figure.
There are also divisions in fitness and model. Most of the Saratoga members compete in one of the four categories.
“It’s a lifestyle and this whole place is about lifestyle behavior change,” Mehan said. “I get people eating differently on whole foods and this is just taking it to the next level (showing). You’re already doing it, why not just get into show prep and see what you can do? Now they all got bit because they went and they did awesome.”
Their next show is September 7 in Atlantic City, with four members currently going and two on the fence.
Aside from the small group that shows, Challenge by Choice offers a variety of workouts to people who don’t want to get on stage as well. There is also an even more minute group of those who do everything but show, outside of the Savage routines, called Club Shred. The group of six goes by Mehan’s workouts and nutrition plans.
“It’s picking up the town,” said Mehan, who is originally from Stillwater. “It’s putting some life into our town.”
Men have also been joining recently, including firefighters and members of law enforcement, who have been offered a free session by Mehan.
“In their job they need to be fit to serve,” Mehan said. “Firefighters die of a heart attack before they die of smoke inhalation or burning. It’s a heart attack from being out of shape and the adrenaline of the situation.”
Challenge by Choice also offers the Insanity Max Interval Training workout now, which makes it one of the first places in the area to do so.
“It is a commitment,” Mehan said. “But what’s great about it is you’re not alone. We have a sisterhood. It’s the comradery and that you have the support. If you do have to wake up at 3 a.m., because you’re busy, you know that other people are doing it too. That’s what I wanted to create. I was lonely doing it by myself the first time. I want to encourage more women to do it because they can. It’s believing in themselves.”
For schedules and more information, visit Challenge by Choice Training’s website at challengebychoice.net or email Mehan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
