Meet the SQUAD: An Interview with Tahnee Peppenger
An Interview with Tahnee Peppenger
...on crushing stereotypes and kicking some major ass
Tahnee Peppenger is no stranger to the vast world of wellness. As former Miss Montana, this girl's got some serious dedication in her workouts, health and business. Tahnee is a fitness athlete, freelance model and one badass babe (I mean check out those legs!). Her can-do attitude has helped her skyrocket towards the top and make a name for herself in the health and fitness industry.
So I wanted to check-in with Tahnee on what she does on a daily basis, what it's like being a woman in the weight room, and how in the hell she stays so motivated. I'm so excited to have her on TWR as my first guest in a new monthly series I call Meet the SQUAD. I know you will enjoy her no-BS vibe as much as me....
1. So, tell us, who is Tahnee Peppenger?
Well, my name is Tahnee Lannae Peppenger and I'm 27 (soon to be 28!) from Great Falls, Montana. I graduated from Montana State University in 2010 with a Sports Medicine degree. I’m a big science nerd and love research… so don’t come at me with unmerited statements without knowing your facts, jack! Volleyball is my jam (might consider training for the Olympics someday, because why not?). I’m a bonafide Montana woman in every sense of the imagination. I love to rope, cowgirl, explore all the treasures of this state, and relish in this lifestyle. I come from a family of world-class wrestlers… hence, my extreme level of competition…. And it is extreme. I am former Miss Montana USA 2015. I cuss like a sailor. Ironic, I know. I have over 15 nicknames…. Why? I have no idea. I LOVE to cook and bake...and drink red wine simultaneously. I'm a self-proclaimed foodie and vino drinker! When I was young I wanted to be a zoologist just so I could adopt a Koala Bear and snuggle it. Seriously. I still want the Koala Bear situation to happen. I also wanted to be a jockey and race horses! I have a sweet tooth from Hell… it’s bad. Coffee is life. I’m a fitness athlete, freelance model and aspiring icon. NBD.
2. In a perfect world, what would your ideal day look like?
It would start with a glorious cup of organic, medium-dark roast coffee, perfect french toast slathered in real maple syrup, and accompanied with bacon… all the bacon. If I could have it my way I would honestly do everything possible one could do in a day’s time! I would hit the lake and boat, go for a hike or rope all afternoon, and eat good food paired with great libations. My ideal day would also include a damn good heavy lift session followed by an obscene post-workout meal - no carb denied! Next, I would host a fabulous party, preferably outdoors with a campfire and a plethora of s’more fixins! I love to entertain and I love having my friends and family around me especially surrounded by God’s country and gift we call Montana. Nothing brings more joy to my soul than to eat, drink, and surround myself with wonderful human beings. Life is worth celebrating and your loved ones are especially worth celebrating, so pop a cork, indulge in some decadence, give thanks and spread the love!
3. Being in the pageant industry as former Miss Montana, what does beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me encompasses a few different elements. Beauty is a sense of self-awareness and assuredness. Beauty is fully knowing who you are, accepting that, and enjoying every second of it. At the end of the day, we are who we are, we are designed exactly as we are. F*ck the rest. Honor who you are and how you are designed. Know your faults and acknowledge them, always work to better yourself, but understand you are valuable just as you are and have so many gifts to offer! So cultivate them, damnit! You will be amazed as to how your self-perspective changes once you become sure of yourself, what you’re doing, and where you’re going.
Beauty is the true character of your heart… the contents as well. There is no individual on this planet crafty enough to masterfully disguise an ugly heart, so nice try. One’s heart is displayed daily and through the smallest of means. I also believe beauty physically manifests through your health. Are you healthy? Are you happy? Is your spirit well and illuminated? Do you love your body and your unique attributes? Do you treat your body with respect? Simply exceeding any conventional standards for your own wellness radiates vibrantly!
4. Have you ever struggled with your health and fitness? How did you overcome it?
Fortunately, I really have never struggled in this arena. Health and fitness has always been a fixation of mine and I strongly attribute that to my mother, the Montana lifestyle I’ve been afforded, and being an athlete. I will admit, my mid-20s I became a tad stagnant/complacent in my training. I would run (which I hate) and do simple outdoor workouts, but there was nothing “athletic” about it. It was a joke, in all honesty. How did I overcome this? Well I set a lofty goal that wasn’t strictly fitness related…I decided to run for Miss Montana USA 2015! Granted, not everyone has that sort of opportunity, but we all have a choice to strive for something big. I knew that if I was going to take on something of that magnitude, I was going to fully commit and do it right. Period. Goals help because they give you vision. You see it, dream it, and conquer it, and ultimately, no one wants to disappoint their own vision… that’s too personal, too insulting.
5. I know you love your weight training, what stereotypes have you come across as a woman in the weight room?
Ahhh! This is a great question and one I don’t have a great response to! HA! Honestly, I believe you either subject yourself to a stereotype or you don’t. No bullshit, babe. I have sincerely not come across one stereotype in the weight room, ever. And I wish women would see this…If you get in there, show some work ethic and drive, ask for help when needed, and get your shit done, there is no such thing as a stereotype! In fact, most of the men who do decent work in the weight room will really respect you and give you your space (and equipment). The group of guys in my lifting community know my abilities, know my routines, know I’m there to work, I’m not there to be cute or chat, and they humbly clear the way so I can grind.
Oh wait, I guess there is one gym stereotype I encounter…. CREEPERS!! Reportedly, they stare, and gauck and creep, but I’m clueless. Until I catch one, dead in the eye, and after I cut their soul with my intense, fear-evoking, ‘I will murder you’ glare, they cease. According to the awesome staff, some have literally ran into walls checking out my gains! Bahahaha how ridiculous and I have no clue whatsoever! That’s how focused I am. Just ignore them, or cast the previously described look their way… that’s always fun!
6. What advice would you give to women looking to crush their fitness goals?
Set realistic goals, discipline your lifestyle, and don’t cheat yourself! These three things all come together to establish a healthy lifting routine, build a beautiful, strong, and attainable physique, and keep a woman’s perspective in check. You’re not going to develop a glorious booty after only 2 weeks of squats and deadlifts… GET REAL!! Keep putting the work in, it will pay off!
7. What are the top 3 health rules you live by?
1. Discipline. Without discipline, success is a mere fantasy. Discipline your work ethic, your habits, your expectations and you will conquer any goal you set for yourself.
2. Push your boundaries. Never be satisfied with the status quo or mediocrity… that is a slow death, my friends.
3. Honor your temple. Unfortunately, people don’t take this seriously often. You have this ONE life, this ONE body to explore the possibilities of your existence with, is it not reasonable to nourish it, to meticulously care for it? Don’t kid yourself, how you treat your body internally and externally plays a crucial role in your quality of life… But that’s none of my business.
8. How do you stay fueled throughout your morning to night routine?
CLEAN EATING AND AMPLE HYDRATION BALANCED WITH WELL-EARNED INDULGENCES!! I can grind through insane and demanding schedules no sweat by keeping hydrated and eating well and abundantly. Energy is not sustainable without constant replenishment and not all energy sources are created equal. It’s as simple as that. Take a little extra effort to prep and fuel your body with nature’s resources. I’m not getting all granola on you, but I firmly stand by natural nutrition and have no time for bullshit excuses as to why you can’t make it happen in your life. McDonalds sucks and if you eat McDonalds, you suck too. End of story. You need to eat clean 80-90 % of your week to enjoy special meals or treats with flexibility for 10-20% of your week. I DO NOT believe in “cheat days,” but rather “cheat meals.” What all of this comes down to is teaching yourself healthy eating habits and producing a healthy relationship with food. Food is love!! Feed your body the best kind of love!
9. You've got some serious goals planned for yourself. What's in store for you in the coming year?
I’ve been working on building a team to support my dreams. One thing that has taken me some time to learn the importance of, but it has made all the difference in my execution of these goals! I am building a personal brand and blog to act as a central hub for all things Tahnee. I realized a long time ago that I am a lot to take in. Why? Because God has blessed me with a lot of talents and interests. I’m a very dynamic woman and to my core believe that this will serve a great purpose. Some may think it narcissistic or arrogant, but whatever. I pay no mind to sheep. I am developing my strengths on all fronts, from personal training, to modeling, to motivational speaking and my unapologetic approach to life to become an icon for those seeking a role model. I am a natural born leader and I want to embolden others to conquer this life with intent and vigor!
I plan on taking my athletic persona to a new level and am working towards establishing myself as a credible fitness influencer/coach/model within the industry. I have been working on a new gym concept and business plan and hope to launch it in a year or two. Ultimately, everything I do, from building my modeling portfolio, to networking through my many diverse channels, plays a role in the bigger picture. Ya just gotta keep believing and keep grindin’!
10. Top fitness myth and what to do instead?
Oh my gosh, there are so many! Since I already went on the nutrition rant, I’ll opt for the next big one… “Weight lifting will make a woman become bulky or too muscular and masculine.”
Seriously, just put me out of my misery already. This is the biggest load of crap, ever! Just check out my personal progress pics after a year of heavy lifting and big eating.
What to do instead?? Get off that stupid treadmill or elliptical and LIFT THOSE DAMN WEIGHTS, LADIES!! If you need some guidance and motivation in this arena, call me. I’ll whip your butt into shape in no time....no pun intended ;)
11. The most motivating advice you've ever received...
"The only person you got to compete with, is yourself."
And when you’re a woman who normally sets aggressive expectations for herself, this advice does me well. I am constantly trying to better myself in all arenas of life.
12. Words to workout by...
Grind Get some! Train like a Champion
Never settle Don’t be a little b*tch Prove them wrong
Push harder Dig Deep!!! How bad do you want this?
Two more Let’s go, let’s do this Be better. Do more.
No bullshit This is you, all you Discipline yourself
Strive You got this, kid What? You’re gonna stop there?!
* I honestly coach myself throughout an entire training session and the above is what it sounds like.
