IMPACT-X MEMBERS SHINE ON GLOBAL STAGE (11 Photos) (2025-03-04)
Valley Sports ReportOCALA, Fla. — Several athletes from Impact-X Performance, formerly known as Journey Fitness, recently competed and placed in the top 15 here at the prestigious DEKA World Championships.
“What an incredible couple of days at the DEKA World Championships," said Travis Barnes, owner of Sayre's Impact-X, and COO of Impact-X franchise. "We are so proud of everyone who came out to represent their gyms, especially our Impact-X Performance family.
"It was inspiring to see so many amazing individuals push themselves to their limits on such a grand stage," he noted.
"It’s been said that ‘comparison is the thief of joy,’ and I want to remind all of our participants of something truly powerful: No matter how we placed, we competed in a world championship.
"Many of us started this journey with simple goals — to lose a few pounds, to feel a little healthier, to take small steps toward better fitness," continued Barnes. "And now, here we are, rising to a level of physical ability and determination that allowed us to compete on a global stage; that transformation is nothing short of remarkable and something we should all be deeply proud of.
"Congratulations to all the competitors, and thank you for inspiring not only those around you but also the next wave of individuals who may now dream of achieving what you have," added Barnes. "Today was a victory for health, perseverance, and community.”
The elite event showcased top athletes from around the globe as they competed in two grueling categories: the DEKA Strong and the DEKA Mile.
DEKA Strong is a test of pure strength and endurance, featuring 10 functional fitness zones designed to challenge participants’ power, stamina, and grit.
DEKA Mile takes it a step further, combining those same 10 zones with 160 meters of running between each station for an added cardiovascular challenge.
Unique to the DEKA team events is the age category system, which is based on the combined ages of both teammates. This allows participants to strategize and pair up for optimal performance.
The following Impact-X members represented their gym and community with outstanding performances:
• Scot Saggiomo: Secured 3rd place in the DEKA STRONG and 8th place in the DEKA MILE (age 60-64).
• Alex Rupik: Achieved 3rd place in both the DEKA STRONG and DEKA MILE (age 65-69).
• Travis Barnes & Alex Rupik: Finished 11th in the DEKA STRONG Team category (age 100-119).
• Denise Spaulding & Kristan Wales: Took 7th place in the DEKA STRONG Team category (age 120+).
• Andrew Wales & Scot Saggiomo: Earned 10th place in the DEKA STRONG Team category (age 120+).
• Shannon Taylor & Kristan Wales: Secured 14th place in the DEKA STRONG Team category (age 100-119).
• Mark Detrick & Travis Barnes: Finished 12th in the DEKA STRONG Team category (age 100-119).
“Four years ago, I took a leap and joined a gym for a six-week challenge. My goal? Lose 20 pounds," said Andrew Wales, a competitor and Impact-X coach. "Little did I know, that decision would change my life forever.
"Fast forward: 60 pounds gone, Type 2 diabetes reversed, and new goals set," noted Wales. "Last January, I dared to dream big, I wrote down my BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): qualify to compete at the DEKA World Championships. And guess what? Thanks to my incredible Impact-X Performance Sayre coaches, mentors, and teammate Scot, I made it.
"When it comes to fitness, it’s never too late to start, and most of us aim too low," he added. "Set the bar higher — you might surprise yourself. There’s nothing like the feeling of crossing that finish line, giving it everything you’ve got, and leaving it all out there.”
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