The Basement Gym

☀️ ANNUAL SUMMER STUDENT MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL
To avoid overcrowding and keep the training environment enjoyable for our members, this special will be limited to just 25 students this summer. VISIT THE DESK AFTER 5 PM TO REACTIVATE. Looking forward to having you back!

TBG Member Spotlight: Efren Pelayo

Efren Pelayo has been part of The Basement Gym since 2019, bringing nearly seven years of consistency and grit to the community. His fitness journey started at 19 with a clear goal—becoming a police officer. At the time, he described himself as “skinny fat,” struggling to run a mile or bench 100 pounds. Through daily training and discipline, he transformed his fitness to pass the POWER test and successfully enter law enforcement, building strength, endurance, and confidence along the way.

Today, Efren serves as a Police Sergeant, with eight years of prior experience on a SWAT team. Fitness remains a non-negotiable for him—not only to meet the physical demands of his job, but also to manage the mental stress that comes with it. For Efren, there’s no better reset than a hard lift or a solid run.

Outside the gym, his biggest pride is his role as a father. He’s leading by example, raising two active boys who are already developing their own love for fitness—from pull-up routines at home to training sessions at the gym and even completing an 11-mile hike in the Smoky Mountains together. That influence and shared experience clearly mean everything to him.

In the gym, Efren doesn’t point to a single standout accomplishment—instead, he takes pride in making fitness a lifelong habit. Nearly two decades into his career, he’s still wearing the same pant size he did when he started, and he’s in even better shape now at 42 than he was in his early 20s.

He’s a fan of dumbbell chest press (no surprise), avoids overhead work when he can, and keeps his mindset grounded in patience and consistency. His advice is simple but powerful: focus on small wins, stay consistent, and chase how it feels—not just how it looks.

Right now, Efren is setting his sights on a new challenge: completing a 20-mile race this fall.

Strong, steady, and leading by example—Efren is exactly what the TBG community is about.

TBG MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Jennifer — a member since the very beginning.

What originally got you into fitness?
Played sports in school and have kept physically active through most of adulthood. I enjoy it and keeps me sane.

What keeps you motivated to stay consistent?
I want to create a different family history.

What is your day job or career outside the gym?
Retail.

What is something you are especially proud of accomplishing in the gym?
Just having consistency.

What is an accomplishment outside the gym that you’re proud of?
My family and marriage.

What is your favorite exercise or workout?
Full body day!

What is your least favorite exercise (the one you know you should do)?
Push ups.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their fitness journey?
Just start. With something. Anything. Even if it’s small and stick with it. It will take root and grow and so will you.

What do you enjoy most about The Basement Gym community?
That it’s much more than a building with weights inside.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
If you know me it’s not surprising, but one of my big motivations for strength training is to be a better equestrian.

Do you have any personal goals you’re working toward right now?
Stepping up a class in horseshows.

Had the pleasure of representing TBG at the St. Charles East employer appreciation banquet for our team member Gio. Gio is graduating this year and has been a joy to have at the front desk! What a wonderful program led by Ms. Stone.

TBG MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Name + Start Date:
Patrick Griffin — March 2022

What originally got you into fitness?
I had a second heart attack in November of 2022.

What keeps you motivated to stay consistent?
My health and my family.

What is your career outside the gym?
Carpenter.

What is something you are especially proud of accomplishing in the gym?
Mental and physical transformation, having energy and changing my diet. Lost 60 pounds and off all medication.

What is an accomplishment outside the gym you’re proud of?
30 years of marriage.

Favorite workout or body part to train?
Core and upper body.

Least favorite workout?
Leg day.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
That the commitment you make to yourself will change your outlook on life and your self-esteem.

What do you like most about The Basement Gym?
I like the atmosphere and John is very encouraging and knowledgeable. He has been there for me since the beginning of my journey.

Fun fact about you?
I have 4 grandchildren.

Anything else you’d like us to know?
I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and had a slow recovery, so working on getting my strength back.

TBG Member Spotlight 🔥 AMBER

1. What is your name and how long have you been a member at The Basement Gym?
Amber Lewis, since 2021.

2. What originally got you into fitness?
I’ve been lifting weights since I was 14 and it’s always been a way for me to release tension.

3. What keeps you motivated to stay consistent?
My children believing I’m the most jacked/physically capable human alive.

4. What is your day job or career outside the gym?
I’m the Director of Operational Effectiveness for BMO Bank’s US and Canadian regulatory reporting. I’m also an aspiring author, an on-again-off-again yoga instructor, and a wannabe homesteader.

5. What is something you are especially proud of accomplishing in the gym?
Being on the TBG PR board.

6. What is an accomplishment outside the gym that you’re proud of?
Committing to my loc journey and finally feeling like myself.

7. What is your favorite exercise or workout?
Dumbbell press and shoulder press - they make me feel like I’m fighting for my life, but I have a chance to win.

8. What is your least favorite exercise (the one you know you should do)?
Warming up.

9. What advice would you give to someone just starting their fitness journey?
Experiment until you find the modality that you enjoy, then do that. Also, invest in training, you will not regret it.

10. What do you enjoy most about The Basement Gym community?
As a 17 year Army veteran I LOVE the military friendly vibe/community - it makes me feel like I’m putting the uniform back on when I walk through those doors.

11. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m working toward becoming a COO within the next ten years.

12. Do you have any personal goals you’re working toward right now?
After four years of dedication, I very recently “finished” the manuscript for my memoir, Respect the Thorn. My goal is to get a book deal and have this thing “available anywhere books are sold.”

Favorite pump-up song:
Currently, Mahogany by The GOAT, Lil’ Wayne.

Get yourself some new gear for spring!

TRAINER THURSDAY
Meet John Daum. Co-owner of TBG and owner of John Daum Fitness
John brings a dynamic mix of functional, HIIT, and athletic-based training to the floor it’s programming that keeps things practical and effective.

When it comes to favorite movements…
Fav movement: squats 😎

Why he loves training: Watching clients shift their mindset

Fav food: skirt steak is the go-to.

Fav indulgent food: cinnamon buns don’t stand a chance.

Fun fact: John is a dad of 3 stepdad of 1, a pretty solid sketch artist and car enthusiast.