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Small Paragraph. Q: If you were to look back in time to when you first started working with me and you could tell yourself something, what is it that you know now that you did not know then?

A: Be patient- there were times, particularly in the early days of our relationship, where it seemed like we were moving slow, focusing SO much on form, or taking small steps. Now I see the big payoff of that...seeing my body do things that I never thought possible in a safe way, like deadlifting my own body weight or pulling you across the gym floor on a set of weights (I forgot how many lbs!).

A: Exercise can be fun! - I struggled with physical fitness my whole life and I think that's because no one ever took the time to help me explore what might be better suited for me. I struggled through PE classes and organized sports, often feeling awkward and embarrassed. I think this fed directly into the limitations I set on myself as an adult. Working with you has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and discover fitness activities I never knew existed. Doing that and succeeding (even if it takes me a few weeks to get the form down) has made working out much more fun and rewarding.

What do you do?

I’m an exercise physiologist. I work for MGH’s Home Base Program for Veterans with traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD. As a part of their wellness team I assist with the intensive clinical exercise program that has several components (cardiovascular, strength training, flexibility training and meditation). During the session we monitor their vitals and exercise form while educating them on the different components of exercise and the importance of self-care. The exercise piece usually comes at the end of the day usually after an intense therapy session. When it is time for the veterans to see us, it is not unusual for them to have spiked blood pressure readings, feel stressed or to sometimes not feel like exercising. However, once most of them get started, you can see that their mood starts to improve, they become more relaxed and enjoy what they are doing. When they finish, sometimes they will say thank you and state how much they appreciate that we care. The program is very holistic and the veterans receive individual and group therapy, nutrition education, yoga, tai chi and time in nature.

I also work as a part of the MGH Warrior Health and Fitness Team as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist one evening a week overseeing the group strength and conditioning session. This program is a little different where the veterans in these sessions do not have as many medical concerns and are not in need of the type of monitoring that is done in the intensive clinical program.

My second job is that I have my own business where I train clients privately in their homes and most recently online due to the COVID-19 outbreak. When the wellness center I worked at closed (at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) to make room for clinical space, I transitioned into private training. It was a tough loss for me (after 20 years) and the population that was served (employees, patients and community members) as it was close knit community that was not usually found your typical gym space. However, the closure provided the kick in the pants that I needed to reassess what the next steps in my career steps were going to be. I said to myself if I were going to give owning my own business a try, now was the time. I also look back and feel that it was a blessing in disguise because my schedule became less rigid and it afforded me more time to help care for my elderly parents who reside in Connecticut. The other advantage was it also allowed me more time to reconnect with and spend time with old friends.