Congratulations to Our May Featured Member: Erin Thrash

Erin Thrash has been part of the RoughFit community for about a year, and in that time, she’s become a strong, consistent presence who embodies exactly what RoughFit is all about. By day, Erin is a licensed architect leading an in-house design team at Rexford Industrial, where she focuses on industrial development across Southern California. She brings a thoughtful, innovative approach to her work, with a particular passion for sustainability—integrating everything from low-carbon materials and drought-tolerant landscapes to more unexpected solutions such as solar-powered fixtures. It’s clear that whether she’s designing buildings or tackling a workout, she’s always looking to improve, adapt, and push forward.

Outside of work, Erin is happiest outdoors. Much of her time is spent hiking, backpacking, skiing, and keeping up with her kids’ busy sports schedules, but if given the choice, she’ll almost always choose a trail day. She’s drawn to the quiet, the challenge, and the sense of reset that comes with being outside. In fact, she jokes that in her next life she plans to come back as a bear—wandering the woods with no emails or meetings. 

Her introduction to RoughFit began in a way many members can relate to. Her husband Chuck joined first and began getting noticeably faster on their runs, all while talking about how great the community was. Between seeing his progress and feeling a little FOMO, Erin decided to check it out for herself. Once she started attending Tuesday classes, she said that she quickly realized that all the longtime RoughFit women have incredible arms- so naturally, she wanted in on that!

While she jokes that she keeps coming back to “chase her fat away and earn her Tuesday night burritos,” what truly keeps Erin consistent is the community. The relationships she’s built, especially with her new running buddies, Sue and Mike, have helped her show up and give her best effort. Along the way, she’s picked up simple yet powerful mental strategies to help her push through challenges. During Jenni’s workouts, Jenni often says — and Mike likes to remind everyone during that final tough interval — “Last one before the last one; the last one always takes care of itself.” That mindset shift has not only helped her power through difficult workouts, but has also carried over into many other areas of her life. 

Since joining RoughFit, Erin has experienced noticeable changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. She’s faster, stronger, and able to go longer than she ever would have pushed herself on her own. Just as important, she’s found a consistent outlet to manage the stress of work, parenting, and a packed family schedule. That time to reset has become an essential part of her routine, giving her both energy and balance. She notes that, physically, she is still holding out hope for her arms to fully join the RoughFit club by summer.

One of the most meaningful milestones in her journey hasn’t been a specific time or performance goal, but a shift in perspective. What once felt like something she had to do has become something she genuinely looks forward to. Tuesday run club now provides structure to her week and has turned into a highlight rather than a task—something she never expected when she first started.

For anyone new to RoughFit, Erin’s advice is simple: just show up. There’s no need to be fast or perfect. The structure, the people, and the accountability will take care of the rest. Before long, it becomes more than a workout—it becomes something you build your week around. Erin’s journey is a great reminder that progress comes not just from effort, but from community, consistency, and finding joy in the process.

Erin has been such a wonderful addition to RoughFit, and we are incredibly thankful to have her as part of our community. She brings so much joy, positivity, and an adventurous spirit that continually inspires those around her. Thank you, Erin, for being awesome!!

Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that she and her family love baseball — go Dodgers!!