by Deion Clifton
Getting Back on Her Feet
Fitness is essential to Brittany Timko’s life. On May 5, 2024, Brittany will compete for the fifth time in the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia. Though she’s completed the race several times over the years, the first time she ran the Broad Street Run was a very emotional experience. She ran the 10-mile race in one hour, 37 minutes back in 2013. “It was something I needed to do, not just for my physical health, but also for my mental health,” says Brittany. “That year, I did not care about the time; my goal was just to finish.”
Four years earlier, on April 20, 2009, Brittany was involved in a car accident that would alter the course of her life. The accident left her with a compound fracture to her tibia and fibula. “I had a rod and screws put in [my leg]. And then [the doctor] told me I would never run again.” While the doctor gave his prognosis from the x-ray, there was no test he could perform to gauge her spirit and tenacity. These dismal words from her doctor lit a spark that would grow into a flame. “I said, ‘That’s it! I’m going to prove him wrong.’”
And she did. More than one year and six surgeries later, due to reoccurring battles with a bone infection called osteomyelitis, Brittany would fight through depression and self-doubt to “find something for me that I was just going to work hard at – not let the doctor tell me what I couldn’t do.” By the end of 2010, Brittany had found her stride in running, pushing her to eventually go further and make fitness a large part of her daily routine. “Running saved my life,” she says. “It kept me sane.”
Fast forward to 2024, Brittany maintains a positive spirit, is fitness-focused, has run numerous 5K’s and one half-marathon, and is training to run her seventh 10-mile race.
Rediscovering her Passion
For seven years, during high school and college, Brittany managed a gymnastics center in Pennsylvania, where she taught children between the ages of 15 months to third grade. Teaching gymnastics was her first passion until she found her purpose – being a mom. After having her first child and moving to Delaware, Brittany put her teaching on pause. While raising a family is something she adores, she felt like something was missing. That is until she discovered the Hockessin Athletic Club (HAC).
Brittany started bringing her children to ISR swim lessons, where she would make connections with other members and staff. By fall of 2022, she was invited to teach acro at the club. She was skeptical, but once she’d taught her first class at HAC, her passion was rekindled. Brittany now teaches a variety of classes such as parent and tot, Acro 101 and 102, level 1, intermediate, and advanced classes. She missed teaching and felt like it was something she could do for herself again while being a stay-at-home mom.
When her kids’ school schedule conflicts with her acro role, Brittany utilizes HAC’s childcare facility, which “is an amazing benefit to parents, allowing us to either work or workout knowing our children are in a safe place.”
Brittany spends most of her day here, and she and her children have become more involved in HACtivities than ever, participating in almost everything the club offers. Her kids, Ryan, Lucy, and Richie (ages 2, 4, and 6), are involved in many youth programs, including inline skating, basketball, Acro, flag football, and swim lessons.
In addition to being one of the many talented instructors for Stage Stars Dance and Acro, Brittany takes various group fitness classes, regularly attending Les Mills Strength Development®, BodyPump®, Core, 5 Rounds, Cycle, SGPT classes, and hot yoga. Plus, she’s a new member of the HAC Run Club this year. She has even become part of an informal 5 AM workout group with fellow members and friends.
Brittany jauntily notes, “I have always been an athlete, but never this consistent until I joined HAC. Over the past 18 months, I have developed habits that allowed me to hit a lot of my fitness goals, and I have never felt better physically or mentally.” She continues, “It’s a great community here; it’s one of the best things I found. There’s nothing like the HAC.”
Fitness Friendships
Making friends at HAC is a relatively easy task, especially for Brittany. She describes herself as “a very social butterfly” and is grateful for the bonds she has formed here. She has developed countless friendships with members at group classes, on the treadmills and stair climbers, in the sauna, and at the pool. And those friendships have helped keep all parties accountable. “We push each other to keep going and get better,” she adds. One group of friends was formed at 4:55 AM while waiting for HAC’s doors to open – the 5 AM crew, as she calls them. A handful of the 5 AM crew recently started taking over the Garage during non-class hours for rigorous circuit training together.
Joining HAC has helped Brittany stay focused on her commitment to her physical health, mental health, and athleticism, and it has even motivated new-found friends to do the same. While focusing on her fitness journey, she is proud to balance life as a stay-at-home mother and acro instructor. “Starting my day off by working out allows me to be a better mom, wife, friend, and person. It helps get my mind straight. And none of this would be possible without my supportive husband, Rick. He makes sure the kids get up and ready for school and has always encouraged me on my journey.”
Brittany encourages members to get out of their comfort zone. “The hardest thing about exercise is starting. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others, work out even when you don’t want to, and exercise for your mental health. Challenge yourself by doing something you’ve always wanted to try, and with consistency and discipline, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.”
