FITNESS SPOTLIGHT: Health First Poster Girl for Weight-loss Robyn Russell Eyes Covergirl Prize
By Space Coast Daily // June 5, 2022
Robyn is a full-time Health First Medical Group Patient Services Representative
Robyn Russell lost 165 pounds and got into terrific shape. Now, she wants to spread the message by winning the title Ms. Health & Fitness 2022 – and it’s an internet popularity contest.
Editor’s Note: The contest for the title Ms. Health & Fitness 2022 began earlier this spring with dozens of contestants divided into groups. Each contestant was charged with earning online votes. As of press time, the group campaigns had ended, and Health First’s Robyn Russell finished 1st and advanced to the finals. A winner will be announced at the end of the month.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Robyn Russell’s campaign for the title Ms. Health & Fitness 2022 is a daunting ambition. Her competition is mostly younger – “buffer,” she says – professional trainers or athletes.
Robyn is a full-time Health First Medical Group Patient Services Representative. And she’s had a different journey.
Today, Robyn’s nearing the end of group voting – there are four such groups, and only the top vote-getter in each makes the final national competition. Her fate depends on Facebook votes.
Incredibly, despite appearing older than the other contestants and having a personal history far from athletics and fitness, Robyn is a frontrunner.
She was No. 1 in the first cutoff, and again to make the Top 10. On Friday, there will be a Top Five announced, and Robyn expects to be in it. By close of voting June 2, the top vote-getter from her group will go on to the semifinals.
“It is so intense, but I am not scared!” she says.
CLICK HERE to vote for Robyn for the title Ms. Health & Fitness 2022 and help spread her story of regaining control.
Robyn suffered from a rare skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa since she was a teenager. She lost 165 pounds more than a decade ago and has kept it off through portion control, lots of exercise, prayer and meditation – and positivity.
Years ago, when Robyn’s weight topped 300 pounds, she asked a doctor for a lap band. The doctor insisted on lifestyle changes first. Initially, she couldn’t walk a mile, but Robyn, always upbeat and fearless, committed to it. She set out to walk just 15 minutes a day, every day.
Today, she has run numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, even half marathons. She credits her Practice Manager, Tami Wrasmann, who encouraged that aspect of her exercise regimen.
“Robyn is truly inspiring – I look to her now for diet and exercise tips,” Wrasmann said.
But Robyn has become adept at so much more. She is practiced at weightlifting and Zumba. She is a big promoter of portion control, and she chooses healthy snacks – mostly. She has gotten her weight down to about 160.
She registered for the Ms. Health & Fitness competition to share what she’s learned on her journey – the power of encouragement, of accountability and tallying successes, and positivity.
“My story is different. My journey is rare. My inspiration is unique,” she says.
Within a couple of years of gaining control of her life, she stopped having symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
CLICK HERE to vote for Robyn for the title Ms. Health & Fitness 2022 and help spread her story of regaining control.
Visit HF.org to find out what’s happening at Health First.