Growing up inside a training space changes how a child sees health, effort, and community. At enduraLAB, we’ve seen firsthand how movement becomes more than a workout—it becomes a mindset.
This week’s story highlights 11-year-old Isla Hargrave, a Fort Worth native who has spent her entire life surrounded by barbells, chalk, and coaches at enduraLAB. Her definition of fitness is simple—eat well, move often, and recover on purpose—but her perspective is powerful. Isla represents what happens when a community leads by example and raises the next generation to move, think, and live stronger.
Early Lessons in Movement and Mindset
Isla’s journey began before most kids learn to walk. Her parents, Lee and Isis Hargrave, trained throughout pregnancy and brought Isla to the gym at just four weeks old. Between naps and sets, she watched movement become a language—and eventually, playtime became practice.
Over time, the gym turned into her classroom. She learned from D1 athletes, professional basketball players, and everyday members who modeled consistency and care. The result? A confident, curious kid who talks kettlebells and recovery as naturally as most kids talk about TikTok trends.
“Fitness isn’t complicated,” Isla says. “You just eat good food, move a lot, and rest when you need to.”
Small Goals, Big Lessons
One of Isla’s proudest moments? Dropping her school mile time from over 11 minutes to 9:48.
Instead of chasing perfection, she built a plan:
🏃 Practice regularly
💬 Ask for coaching
😴 Prioritize sleep and recovery
This structured approach mirrors what adult athletes do inside enduraLAB—proof that consistency beats intensity at any age.
Her mindset toward challenge stands out, too. Movements that stump her—like pull-ups—don’t frustrate her; they fuel her. She calls them “fun hard,” reminding us all that growth happens when you make the work a game, not a grind.
Recovery: Where Awareness Meets Action
At enduraLAB, we teach that recovery isn’t rest, it’s training. Isla already understands that.
She knows pain doesn’t always appear where it starts (“heel pain might come from a tight calf”) and uses recovery tools with purpose, not gimmicks.
Her go-to recovery lineup:
❄️ Cold Plunge – a mental and physical reset
💨 Box Breathing – managing stress and focus
🦵 Normatec Boots & Massage Gun – recovery and circulation
🌙 Sleep – the ultimate performance tool
Even more impressive? She teaches her friends how to breathe through stress and discomfort. That’s what we mean when we say we train the whole athlete—body, mind, and recovery system.
“Recovery helps me think clearer,” Isla explains. “Cold water resets me. Then I can do hard things again.”
Food as Freedom: Learning to Fuel, Not Restrict
Nutrition is where Isla’s independence shines. She packs her own lunches, balancing protein, carbs, and color:
🥩 Beef sticks or yogurt for protein
🍎 Fruit and veggies for energy
🍞 Whole grains or a “chip” for staying power
Cooking with her mom taught her to see food as fuel and fun. She experiments with seasoning, texture, and technique, learning that taste follows curiosity.
At home, there’s balance:
- Mom prioritizes nutrient-dense meals.
- Dad makes room for flexibility and joy.
That mix keeps food neutral—not something to fear or control. When kids learn to fuel themselves with confidence, they grow up with self-trust instead of food guilt.
Girls Who Lift: Confidence in Motion
Isla’s role models—a D1 thrower and a pro basketball player—redefine what strength looks like for young girls. Through them, she’s learned that strong and feminine aren’t opposites—they’re allies.
Training has taught her that strength means:
🧍♀️ Confidence—in herself and her abilities
🏌️ Performance—keeping pace with boys on the golf course
💪 Pride—in what her body can do, not how it looks
At enduraLAB, we believe every girl deserves to be coached like an athlete from day one. Teaching girls to hinge, push, pull, sprint, and recover builds not just strong bodies—but strong self-belief.
The Blueprint for Family Fitness
Isla’s story shows that fitness is family work—and kids learn best when parents model the habits they want to see.
Here’s what works for families like hers:
🧠 Keep the language simple
🏋️ Make the gym inviting and fun
❄️ Treat recovery like training
🍽 Let kids lead in the kitchen
👩🏫 Celebrate strong role models (especially women!)
When health becomes a shared project, progress feels playful—not punishing.
“It’s not about being perfect,” Isla says. “It’s about showing up and having fun doing it.”
Join the Movement: Youth Training at enduraLAB
Whether your child is new to sports, recovering from an injury, or just needs a positive outlet, enduraLAB’s Youth Program in Fort Worth teaches more than fitness—it builds resilience, confidence, and community.
From foundational strength to recovery education, our coaches help kids discover the joy of movement that lasts a lifetime.
👉 Learn more and sign up for a free Strategy Session at enduraLAB.com.
