Ever since I was a child, around the age of 8, I have always been into playing sports and fitness. When I was in my early 20’s I became a Fitness Coach. I realized then that I had a passion for people and wanted to share my passion and knowledge with clients to help them live a healthier lifestyle. Initially my focus was around training body builders and individuals that wanted to get into shape and tone up. As the years passed my client focus shifted and I started to work more with seniors, elderly clients. In addition I specialize in treating clients with Cancer, Obesity, Blindness, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease.  Within the last two years I started specializing in prep training for those that are preparing to enter into the Army, Navy & Marines. I take pride in all of my clients progress!  

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In the evening, Sunday, March 31, 2019 I suffered a brain bleed and had a stroke. Since that moment my life instantly changed forever. I was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit immediately and was put on a ventilator and heavily sedated for 8 days. This was needed in order to help the bleeding on my brain subside. I also had a feeding tube for a few weeks because I wasn’t able to feed myself. In addition, my blood pressure was extremely high and that affected my kidney function. My doctor recommended that I start doing dialysis treatment for a three-month period. She felt that this would help heal my kidneys.

 

After 8 days of being in the ICU the doctors finally felt it was time to remove the ventilator.  I slowly started to build my strength up each day. Given the type of stroke I had it caused the entire left-side of my body to be paralyzed.  Physical therapist began to come in daily to try and help me sit at the edge of the bed. This was challenging for me but I tried my best each day.   The therapist would also try to get me to respond to certain commands like giving a “thumbs up” or raising my right arm.  I was only able to use my right side at this time because I had no movement on my left side. The Neurologist told my family that I would probably be disabled for the rest of my life and would not regain strength of my left-side. On Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019 I moved out of ICU and went into a step-down level room in the hospital because I was making slight progress.  I was still working with my physical therapists each day to help me get out of bed and to sit in a chair.  A speech therapist would come into my room each day to help me with my speech since I could not talk very well. Little by little my speech improved and my memory and cognitive skills became better. On April 16, 2019, they removed my feeding tube because I was able to eat pureed food on my own!  Each day I was making good progress with physical therapy. I started to move my left finger and my arm slightly--this was a miracle. 

 

On Friday, April 19, 2019 after 19 days in the hospital I was released and transferred to a Rehabilitation Center.  When I arrived, I had a rough start adjusting to my medications. I was very sick the first 3 days and very restless. At that point all I could do is sit in my wheel chair. While sitting in my wheel chair I had to keep a cushion in front on me so I wouldn’t slide out of the chair.  Never the less the first week in rehab was very tough for me.  During each session, I gave it my all because I knew this was the only way I was going to get better. I was tired from not sleeping and didn’t feel 100% but I still pushed through therapy.  When week two began, I started having therapy 3 hours a day Monday through Friday and weekends off.  The therapy consisted of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Week 4 was my last week as a patient. It was a breakthrough for me.  I regained strength in my entire left-side and was able to walk out of the rehabilitation center on Saturday, May 25, 2019. I improved drastically only two months after my stroke. I am truly blessed.

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I Thank God every day for giving me strength and for giving me a second chance at life.  By going through this unfortunate experience in my life it makes me appreciate life more each and every day. As for my business, having gone through this life experience it has changed my perspective of my clients and their individual needs more so than ever. I want people to realize through my life journey that you should never give up no matter what condition or illness you may be faced with. I am an example of what perseverance, strength, dedication and determination will do. My message to my clients and to each of you reading this is to never give up and fight the good fight each day, even though you may not be able to give 100% everyday! Small steps will eventually lead to bigger progress and a healthier YOU!