Roaster Spotlight: Taylor Lehmann

From Coach Pete: Our newest spotlight is someone that I have personally known for well over 10 years. Taylor and I worked at the same gym when I was getting started. I went to her wedding and eventually we became neighbors. Ive had the pleasure of watching her grow through the years into the amazing person she is today! Taylor is a dedicated mother, loving wife, and friend to just about everyone she has ever met. Her kindness is rare and her ability to love is plentiful. She truly is a great human and we are very fortunate to have her and her family in our community. Our gym is special, but it’s not because of stuff. It’s special because we have some of the best people under one roof, working hard towards a common goal. Taylor, thank you for trusting me and our coaches with your fitness!

1 – What is your why? What gets you out of bed in the morning?

My ‘why’ is first of course for my husband and three kids. They are my ‘why’ for waking up and living every day. My ‘why’ for training is really for my own mental health and clarity. I like going to the gym first thing in the morning because it sets me up mentally positive for the day. And what gets me out of bed to train specifically…. it’s honestly to make myself proud and to show up for myself. I think my favorite part about waking up to train is my mental control and discipline. That’s something newer for me that I’ve mastered the past year and keep getting better at everyday- it’s the mental discipline. No one is telling me to get up and train- it’s me and my own self that pushes myself past the uncomfortable feeling every single day to wake up and train and work hard!

2 – What is your definition of success?

  Ever since I was little – all I ever wanted in life was to be a mother and have my own babies and a husband. That was my goal… and to me, that was the definition of success. I couldn’t wait to grow up and have my own stable, loving, family that I would build with a safe and loving husband. I was fortunate to achieve that early on, and I am beyond grateful for that.  Now that I’ve fulfilled that, success is about continuing to be a good mother, caring and loving wife, and then personal consistency, discipline, and showing up for myself no matter what. I also think it’s about being true to myself and living in a way I can be proud of. Not perfect, just fully myself.

3 – If you could give your younger self advice, what would be?

Oh my goodness. So much. I literally think about this all the time, because raising children is a constant reminder that I was once their age, and reminds me of my different experiences and how I handled them, and what I know now that could have helped me back then. So anyway, to sum it all up- if I could give my younger self advice, it would be stay true to myself no matter what, and to never lose hope. I would also let myself know that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought.

4 – What is your biggest goal right now? Could be life or fitness or anything.

I have 2 current goals…one for my family and one for myself. I guess I kind of said this in question 2, but my current family goal is to raise my children to be decent human beings that can positively contribute to society and live healthy and fulfilling lives.  My current fitness goal is to stay consistent and keep getting stronger… physically and mentally. I want to keep challenging myself, hitting milestones like stringing my double unders together, climbing the rope all the way up, doing pull-ups unassisted, and lifting heavier. I’d love to be able to RX more workouts, but for me, it’s less about perfection and more about showing up, putting in the work, and proving to myself that I can keep growing every day.

5 – If you could have lunch with anyone ever, who would it be and why?

I think I’d pick Candace Owens. It’s not about politics… I’m not into that. I just really admire her strength and discipline, and how she sticks to her beliefs no matter what. I think it would be fun to discuss conspiracies with her! She is very outspoken and doesn’t care if people don’t like her. She is also respectful of other people and their beliefs, even if she doesn’t agree with them- which I think is an amazing quality! She is very intelligent and truthful, and I really admire that about her. I’d love to hear about her journey, what keeps her focused, and how she pushes through challenges. I think it would be so inspiring to connect with someone who has that kind of mental clarity.

6 – What is your favorite part of training?

I love the mental challenge the most, which is funny because that’s something I used to really dislike. Now, I thrive on pushing past what makes me uncomfortable and surprising myself with what I’m capable of. I also love seeing the physical gains and healthy changes in my body. Walking past the mirror and really noticing the progress that comes from all the hard work makes the mental hurdles worth it! On top of that, I absolutely love the community at Roaster Barbell. Everyone is so kind, encouraging, and helpful, and being part of that has definitely propelled my growth as an athlete. And of course, there’s nothing better than finishing a workout, hitting a PR, or just feeling like you’ve truly improved!

7 – What is your least favorite part of training?

I’m having a difficult time thinking of what I don’t like about training. I guess once in a while, there will be a workout programmed that I don’t like… BUT I still make myself show up and get it done…. and that is really the greatest feeling- completing a workout you were dreading, but you got it done! 

8 – What has been your biggest obstacle on your fitness journey?

My biggest obstacle has been my health. A few years ago, I went through cancer and endured extensive chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant. The treatments saved my life, but they left me with residual health effects that sometimes make training physically challenging. On top of that, I manage several medical conditions that most people don’t see, and just this past June, I was hospitalized after having a stroke. Even with all of that, I’ve learned to focus on what I CAN do rather than what I can’t. Every time I show up to the gym, push through a workout, or hit a milestone, it’s a reminder of my strength and resilience. Those obstacles don’t define me…they just make the progress and discipline I’ve built even more meaningful.

9 – What would your ideal day consist of?

My ideal day would start with me waking up early, going to the gym and then taking my kids (Hadley, Nova, and Sebastian) and my poms to Starbucks(or any café) for coffees and pup cups. Then we’d go somewhere fun, like a museum or fun activity, then have my hubby(Ryan) take me to a nice restaurant, then come home at the end of the day and have the whole family snuggle up on the couch while we watch our current favorite family show, 911. 🙂

10 – What is something that no one knows about you?

A few years ago, in 2014, I was on a couple episodes of WWE Raw on live TV. I even got paid for it! I got to be in one of the wrestler’s entourage and walk/dance him out to the boxing ring and back. During that experience, I got to work with actor Kevin Heart AND John Cena! I have pictures and videos of this experience deep in my Instagram! 🙂

11 – Who is your biggest inspiration?

I’d say my 22-year-old self inspires me, the person who went through cancer treatment and fought for her life(all while pregnant and having 2 additional toddlers at home!). That experience showed me just how fragile and precious life is. Remembering what I went through motivates me to keep showing up, pushing through challenges, and appreciating the moments that matter, and I hope it can remind others that they’re capable of more than they think, too.

12 – What brought you to Roaster Barbell?

Pete is actually what brought me to Roaster Barbell. I’ve known him since 2012, about as long as I’ve known my husband, Ryan. I first met Pete when I was working front desk at Powerhouse Gym in Berea, where he was a personal trainer and coach. We became friends there, and he even came to mine and Ryan’s wedding in 2013! Fun fact–I still have the wedding gift Pete gave us and use it every day! 🙂 A few years later, I heard he had opened Roaster Barbell, but at that time I wasn’t training due to my cancer treatments and ongoing health issues. Then, by total chance, Pete and I ended up buying houses on the same street and becoming neighbors. Seeing him and Suzi every day looking so athletic and fit definitely inspired me to join his gym, and that’s when I finally joined Roaster Barbell in 2021!

13 – How has the gym influenced your life outside of the gym?

Although I’ve been a member since 2021, I didn’t start taking the gym seriously until the beginning of last year, and that’s when Roaster Barbell really started to influence my life outside of the gym. Now, everything revolves around my training schedule. I’ve made working out a true priority this past year, and it’s helped me so much mentally and physically. Training has also pushed me to take better care of myself in other ways. I’ve cleaned up my diet to support my goals, and I haven’t had a drink since June of 2025 because alcohol doesn’t serve me or help me feel my best. It’s also helped me build healthier habits, like getting better sleep and going to bed earlier so I can train harder and recover properly. Overall, Roaster Barbell has helped me create a lifestyle centered around growth, discipline, and self-respect.

14 – What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about CrossFit and Roaster Barbell?

If you’re on the fence about starting CrossFit or joining Roaster Barbell, my advice is to just try it. Roaster Barbell is such a wonderful community of people who all share the same goal of bettering themselves and living a healthy lifestyle. Everyone starts somewhere, and no one expects you to walk in knowing what you’re doing or being the strongest person in the room. What matters is that you show up,  because once you do, you’ll realize how welcoming and supportive the community is. I remember when I first joined, Pete told me something that stuck with me: there will always be somebody better than you, and there will always be somebody worse than you. That perspective really helped me let go of comparison. I was intimidated at first too, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.

15 – If you could go anywhere in the world for a day where would you go and why?

I’d love to go to Greece, especially the Aegean Islands. My grandparents and family came from there, and I’ve never been. It just looks absolutely stunning, and I think it would be amazing to experience the beauty, the history, and the culture there. Even if just for a day!:)

16 – You have 1 guaranteed wish, what would it be?

If I had one wish, I would wish that my three children each had a healthy, fulfilling, safe, and happy life. Honestly, the thing I want most is for them to have a better life than I did and to just be happy. I want the world to be kind to them and for them to always feel safe and loved.

17 – What is one important lesson you learned the hard way?

I’ve learned that your health and body are precious, and you really can’t take them for granted. During Covid and all the time spent quarantining at home, I ended up gaining a lot of weight, and losing it was way harder than I expected. I wish I hadn’t given in to overindulging in food and alcohol, because those habits were tougher to break than I thought. It taught me the importance of being consistent, disciplined, and mindful about how I take care of myself… lessons I carry with me every day now.

18 – What makes you the most happy?

My husband, Ryan. He is my home and my safe place. He does so much for me, and I love him so much. He is also a wonderful father, and it makes me so happy that my children have such a sweet, loving, and present dad!

19 – You can have anything, what is your ideal meal?

Beef brisket, crab legs, and mac and cheese:) With an appetizer of nachos and fried mozzarella sticks!

20 – Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to say how truly grateful I am for Pete. I honestly don’t think I would be on this health journey or as successful as I am without him. He has believed in me and invested in me over the nearly five years I’ve been coming to Roaster Barbell, and that means so much. I appreciate the little things, like his texts reminding me to show up, keeping me in check, and helping me stay on track. Pete is not only a great coach, but also a genuinely amazing person, and he holds a very special place in my heart.

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