At FFC, community is more than just a word—it’s the foundation of who we are. When you’re a member or part of our team, you’re part of our family. That’s why when longtime trainer Eric Glickstein shared his daughter Bria’s passion for dance, we were proud to support her team through the FFC Cares Foundation.
A Lifetime in Fitness
Eric has been with FFC for over 16 years, though his career in fitness spans more than five decades. As FFC’s only Resistance Training Specialist®, Eric is dedicated to helping members move better, build strength, and overcome challenges. He has worked with countless clients over the years—including one with advanced Multiple Sclerosis, who regained significant mobility through their training together. For Eric, FFC has always been more than a workplace; it’s a community of colleagues and members who inspire him daily.
Bria’s Passion for Dance
That sense of community extends to his family as well. Eric’s daughter Bria has been dancing since she was a toddler—what began as natural movement has evolved into a lifelong passion. Dance, he explains, has given her purpose, discipline, and self-expression, while also fueling her natural athleticism.
A Team with Big Goals
Bria now competes with the Lincoln Park High School Dance Team, which is preparing for a season of local, regional, and national competitions. Last year, the team placed third nationally, and this year they are aiming for the championship.
How the FFC Cares Foundation Makes an Impact
Supporting teams like Bria’s takes more than talent and hard work—it also takes resources. Contributions like the one from the FFC Cares Foundation help cover uniforms, travel expenses, and competition costs, making these opportunities possible for student athletes.
More Than Just a Job
For Eric, the gesture is a reminder of what makes FFC special: “Almost every person I have met at FFC has been awesome, from the members to my co-workers. This community has impacted my life far beyond just my job.”
One Community, Many Passions
From the weight room to the dance floor, fitness and performance may take different forms, but at their core they share the same values—discipline, creativity, and resilience. At FFC, we are proud to celebrate and support the people who make our community stronger every day.
“If I can learn this stuff, anyone can.” That’s how FFC Oak Park member Michael Costello sums up the incredible progress made since starting on a fitness journey in January. With the support of personal trainer Lawrence Kay, a meaningful gift from Michael’s mother, and the welcoming community at FFC, Michael’s health and outlook on life has already been transformed. Michael’s story is a powerful personal training success story rooted in consistency, support, and a total mindset shift.
A Wake-Up Call — And a Gift That Sparked Change
At 46, Michael had reached a point of feeling stuck. Between raising two teenagers and working more than full-time as a music minister at both a church and a school, fitness simply wasn’t on the radar. Michael’s weight climbed to 320 pounds, and a visit to the doctor revealed a diabetes diagnosis — a moment Michael describes as a personal wake-up call.
That’s when Michael’s mother stepped in with a powerful gift: a one-year FFC membership complete with personal training sessions. In January, Michael sat down with FFC’s Julius to create a plan — and hasn’t looked back since.
Support, Structure, and a Whole-Person Approach
Michael works out three times a week for an hour with personal trainer Lawrence Kay, who built a plan that went far beyond just cardio. With guidance around nutrition, hydration, movement, and lifestyle habits, Michael has already lost nearly 50 pounds. Even more importantly, Michael’s A1C has dropped dramatically — now just one-tenth of a point above normal. Michael’s doctor recently took them off two medications and is thrilled with the progress.
This personal training success story is about more than just weight loss. It’s about education, accountability, and the power of showing up with support. “Working with a personal trainer has been incredible — I could have gone to the gym without Lawrence, but I wouldn’t have had the same amount of success.”
“I Didn’t Grow Up Around This” — Rethinking Fitness as a Lifestyle
For Michael, this journey hasn’t just been physical. It’s been a total mindset shift. Michael didn’t grow up around people who valued fitness or viewed it as part of everyday life. That meant there was a learning curve — but one Michael’s tackled with commitment.
Now, fitness is a regular part of Michael’s routine. Michael takes walks, looks forward to workouts, and feels a sense of belonging at FFC Oak Park. “You start to get to know people. The membership team is always so welcoming, and I see the same faces each week. There’s a wide range of ages and fitness levels, and that makes the space feel inclusive.”
Michael’s experience shows how a personal training success story can begin at any age — and how support, education, and community can reshape your entire lifestyle.
Everyday Wins: Strength That Shows Up in Real Life
Michael’s transformation is showing up in unexpected ways — from everyday tasks to being a musician. “I play piano and harpsichord and move a lot of gear. Now it’s so much easier.”
Michael recently bought a house and finds that everything from stairs to home maintenance feels more manageable. “I feel stronger. I feel more confident.”
Looking Ahead: Healthy Habits and Long-Term Goals
Michael’s ultimate goal is simple: to get to a healthy weight and manage diabetes without relying on medication. Michael once weighed 200 pounds and hopes to get close again, but is more focused on sustainability than a specific number.
“I used to do extreme dieting, but it never lasted. Now, I still enjoy many of the foods I love — I’m just wiser about when and how I eat them.” The psychological benefits are just as powerful: more energy, better moods, and no more daily naps.
Michael’s even starting to dream a little bigger. “I never thought I’d do a 5K — but now I think, maybe I could.”
Leading by Example — At Home and in the Community
Perhaps most rewarding of all, Michael is becoming a role model — for their teenage children, coworkers, and others watching the progress. “A coworker joined FFC after seeing how well I’m doing. I want to show my kids that this can be a part of life.”
At FFC Oak Park, and with personal trainer Lawrence, Michael has found not just a gym — but a supportive, knowledgeable, and empowering environment that makes wellness possible, even with a packed schedule. Michael’s journey continues to inspire others and stands out as a real-life personal training success story that proves it’s never too late to start.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Michael-Costello-1-scaled.jpg20482560Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2025-06-18 15:50:362025-07-10 14:46:45Member Spotlight: Michael Costello’s Powerful Journey Toward Health at FFC Oak Park
Lisa Brigham has been a member of Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) in the Chicago Suburbs for over 17 years. Lisa has always prioritized health and wellness in her busy life. A mom of 3 teens who works a full-time job, Lisa has always been determined to improve her health. FFC Oak Park has provided a space for her to focus on herself outside her busy work and family life. Through Lisa’s 17 years of being a member, FFC has continuously given her more ways to enhance her workouts. Her health has benefited in unexpected and exciting ways.
FFC in Chicago is the holistic health solution that has immensely improved Lisa’s mental and physical well being. FFC has given Lisa much more than a fitness floor with machines. For 17 years out of the 40 years FFC has been around, FFC has provided her with an entire community filled with group fitness classes, nutrition guidance, a relaxing space for recovery and so much more.
“I am obsessed with the benefits FFC has added to my life, and I have been able to climb towards my goals and become my healthiest self, all thanks to my membership.”
Group Fitness Classes Impacting Health
Lisa started attending daily group fitness classes and quickly realized how beneficial the classes were for her health journey. Through Lisa’s fitness journey at FFC, she has lost over 20 pounds due to her dedication. She has more energy and is in a better mood after spending her mornings at FFC each day.
FFC Group Fitness Classes have been a key aspect in Lisa’s health journey. She has tried an exceptional amount of classes from Pilates to yoga to strength training. Not only are FFC classes convenient for her extremely busy schedule; they also push her out of her comfort zone. Lisa has a blast trying various forms of exercise through a variety of exciting classes that FFC offers. As someone who used to say, “I hate spin,” she now adores it and takes a spin class every Monday and Friday morning! She is able to enjoy and appreciate spin as it puts less pressure on her joints, allowing her to maintain a fitness routine even when her muscles are sore from her other FFC Group Fitness Classes.
In addition to her spin classes, Lisa frequently prioritizes the 9:00 am Endura 94 heated workout classes. This heated workout class focuses on building endurance while simultaneously strengthening every muscle in your body. When Lisa wants to give up during a particularly tough workout, she is encouraged to keep going through the supportive atmosphere of her instructors and friends, motivating her to push through her discomfort.
These classes remind Lisa of why she attends FFC daily and why she decided to become a member. The combination of mentally and physically challenging classes help her stay motivated. Fitness has become not just a routine for Lisa, but also a rewarding experience. Convincing friends and family around her to join classes has become a hobby. Lisa loves seeing them discover their own strength and resilience! The progress Lisa sees in herself and her community reinforces her commitment to FFC. Her daily attendance is nonnegotiable. These classes are more than just workouts; they are a significant part of her journey to becoming a healthier and happier individual.
Mental Health
Lisa has built close friendships through FFC that encourage her to wake up each morning and come to class. FFC Group Fitness Classes have helped Lisa establish these friendships both in and outside of the club. As Lisa has explored new motives for fitness, she has encouraged her friends to to step out of their comfort zone as well. These bonds are a key reason Lisa eagerly wakes up each morning to attend class.
The environment has expanded beyond FFC. Attending morning classes has lead to catch ups with her gym friends after class. After a hard workout, Lisa and her friends will treat themselves to coffee before beginning their workday. They enjoy talking about their fitness journey in addition to other activities going on in their hectic lives, blossoming a strong friendship. These friendships provide Lisa with the benefit of feeling part of a tight-knit community. Her overall mood is boosted both in and out of the club.
Lisa knows that mental health is just as important as physical in one’s overall health. Working out and engaging with the FFC community has helped decrease her stress and enhance her job satisfaction. Beginning each day with a workout has given Lisa a sense of focus, making tackling work tasks tremendously easier. Not only does starting the day with a workout energize Lisa, but it also sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. With a busy schedule, it is crucial for her to stay on top of tasks and her morning ritual. FFC has become an essential part of maintaining balance and achieving her goals.
The Impact of Nutrition
Exercising at FFC has helped Lisa feel great for 17 years. However, there was one part of wellness that Lisa knew she needed to tackle in order to feel her absolute best: her diet. Lisa was able to seek out one of FFC’s Registered Dietitians to get personalized guidance for her body’s needs. In 2020 when Lisa realized that she wanted to improve her overall health to an even greater extent, she understood that what she consumed was a major part of this journey. Lisa and her FFC Registered Dietitian crafted a plan that would work for her. They focused on incorporating more whole foods into her diet and cutting out the processed ones. When changing her diet, Lisa noticed an immediate boost in her energy. She felt more in tune with her body during her fitness classes than ever before.
She has been able to change her lifestyle at home, as she grocery shops with her new fitness community that she created through FFC! Lisa uses this beneficial and social time to find healthy options to bring into her pantry. This has become a fun and exciting experience for Lisa. She enjoys learning new types of food to incorporate into recipes from her friends. Lisa has makes sure to choose each item carefully, using her newfound nutrition knowledge from FFC to help guide her decisions.
Not only does she feel better about what she eats, but she also now enjoys healthy eating! Working with a dietitian has proven to be the final piece to the wellness puzzle that has allowed Lisa to finish the complete transformation of her lifestyle. She now feels more empowered and energized in every aspect of her life.
Influence on Family
Having been a first-hand witness to the full range of benefits that FFC has provided Lisa over the years, her husband and her 3 kids were encouraged to walk into the FFC doors and see what changes the club would provide them. Her kids, all involved in athletics, carve out time to come into FFC. They’ve seen increased results in their athletic performance. Lisa’s kids access the main fitness floor then after, use the recovery lounge to prevent injuries in their sports.
Although Lisa’s kids are highly dedicated to their fitness, they are also still in school. Her kids often stay after a workout to get work done at the Local’84 cafe. Lisa is able to feel confident in her kids future as they are able to properly balance their time by using FFC resources. Lisa loves getting to see her kids follow on their own fitness journey, guiding them to better success as a whole.
According to Lisa’s daughter Kennedi, “Watching my mom flourish with her membership at FFC has been truly special. The relationships my mom has built, and the support she has been given, is inspiring. I have loved getting to watch her thrive in her fitness journey. Witnessing her commitment has had an incredible impact on me. On the days that I struggle to find motivation, I think of the fact that my mom is already at the gym. Through my mom, I have found a passion in creating my own community at FFC.”
FFC As Lisa’s Holistic Health Solution
Fitness Formula Clubs tailors an approach to provide a different experience for individuals’ unique needs and values. Through her 17 years as a member, Lisa has consistently felt a personal connection with the FFC team. They have encouraged her in achieving her health and fitness goals, constructing her to be confident in continued progress. Lisa believes that as long as she remains an FFC Member, she will keep improving her health. The combination of expert support, personalized attention, and a powerful sense of community at FFC has transformed Lisa’s approach to health and fitness. Wellness is now one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of her life.
“Becoming a member of FFC has led me to feel amazing both mentally and physically.”
Post Written by Kennedi Brigham, FFC Summer 2024 Marketing Intern.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Lisa-Brigham-1-scaled.jpg19202560Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2024-08-28 11:11:382024-08-28 11:35:32FFC: Your Holistic Health Solution
Educators have played an important role in every single one of our lives. Our educators helped us get from pre-school through high school graduation. For those of us with children, the impact of educators has taken on an entirely new meaning. If you are an educator reading this, know that your influence is immeasurable. We know that your job is not easy. Educators spend their careers serving others. We want to ensure that these educators take the time to serve themselves. In 2024, burnout is all too common. There are many ways that educators can prevent and treat burnout. At Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC), we provide a space for Chicago educators to combat their stress.
In this article, we will tackle one of the most important ways educators can stay energized and motivated in their careers: taking care of their physical health and personal wellbeing. We reference facts about educator burnout, the importance of physical health, and even reference an FFC member and educator!
Risk for Educator Burnout
According to the Rand Findings from the 2024 State of the American Teacher Survey, “compared with comparable working adults, about twice as many teachers reported experiencing frequent job-related stress or burnout and roughly three times as many teachers reported difficulty coping with job-related stress.” Burnout occurs when excessive and prolonged stress creates emotional drainage that leads to a lack of interest and motivation in day-to-day tasks. Educators are tasked with an incredible feat every single day: supporting the well-being of the children in their care. The weight of this responsibility puts them at an automatically higher risk of burnout than other professions. This emotional burden, combined with financial stress, lack of sleep, and an inability to distance themselves from their work (especially since the COVID-19 Pandemic introduced virtual learning), are reasons why educators need to actively find ways to both treat and prevent burnout.
Importance of Educators’ Physical Health for the Educator and for the Students
Chuck Lair, FFC Member and Chicago 2nd grade teacher of 29 years, knows that being an educator takes energy. Where does he find that energy? Daily workouts. According to Chuck, “The more you exercise, the more energy you have. The everyday workouts help me deal with stress at school.” Exercise is proven to not only help regulate stress and boost energy, but also to improve sleep, confidence, and mental health.
Daily fitness routines help educators disengage from the workday. As our world becomes increasingly digital, educators find it nearly impossible to fully separate themselves from job-related stress. Daily fitness routines provide a space to set work aside, focusing on just the workout at hand. They also help educators build a community of friends outside of the classroom. When educators set aside time for their physical health and life outside of the classroom, they are better able to combat burnout and show up as their most energetic, positive, confident selves.
How to Maintain a Healthy Physical Wellbeing
Educators in Chicago like Chuck Lair look to Fitness Formula Clubs as their place to exercise, socialize, and unplug from their careers. Physical wellness can look different for everyone. For Chuck, it includes indoor swimming, group HIIT classes, and focusing on healthy eating with the help of the FFC Nutrition Team. Chuck has built a community at FFC for the past 12 years. The connections he has made through fitness encourage him to stay consistent and have fun while doing so! While educators’ careers will always cause stress, prioritizing daily physical activity helps prevent the lack of motivation and energy that encompass burnout. Educators have one of the most stressful, but also one of the most rewarding careers. At FFC, we encourage educators to prioritize their wellbeing so that they can lead healthy, satisfied lives both in and out of the classroom.
Post Written by FFC Marketing Manager Sydney Meyer.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Instagram-Posts-scaled.jpg25602560Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2024-08-21 10:49:122024-08-22 10:58:34The Importance of Educator Health and Wellbeing
Maria Vazquez used to be intimidated by the gym. She had the impression that gym-goers were unwelcoming and judgmental of people early in their fitness journey. Her mindset completely shifted when she met the friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable FFC community. Specifically, working with her Trainer Theresa, and her Nutritionist Griselda.
Maria grew up in a Latinx household where she didn’t receive much education about living a healthy lifestyle.
“I was brought to see a nutritionist at a very young age, without fully understanding why I was meeting with them. That did not help my view on diet and exercise.”
Finding the Motivation to Make a Change
In 2021, Maria decided that she wanted to make a change. Still fighting negative biases around fitness centers and dietitians, she started her wellness journey on her own. For over a year, Maria’s exercise routines involved 6 days of cardio workouts, utilizing a free trainer on YouTube.
She began to watch her diet as well. Having very minimal knowledge around nutrition, Maria simply attempted to minimize her food intake.
Maria quickly realized that without a real fitness or nutrition plan, she would hit a dead end.
At this point, Maria had caught the wellness bug. Though the YouTube workouts served as a helpful start, and she had the genuine desire to eat healthy, she was beginning to feel like her makeshift routine had plateaued.
“I wasn’t feeling as great as I hoped I’d feel, and I knew I needed support.”
Changing Fitness Direction with FFC
Maria found FFC when she noticed the incredible results her friend was seeing. She signed up for a tour of FFC Lincoln Park, where she felt immediately welcomed and inspired. That’s when her health journey changed directions for the better.
Maria joined FFC in January of 2024. In just five months, Maria’s diet and exercise routine had completely transformed. The major change? Working with FFC’s team of experts!
Working with an FFC Nutritionist
Maria began working with FFC Nutritionist, Griselda Ayala, immediately upon joining. Griselda taught Maria so much in just the first session. The two discussed the importance of incorporating protein, what portions should look like, and the science behind properly fueling your body. The most influential shift that Maria has experienced in her dietary journey since working with Griselda, though, has been her mindset change.
“I no longer see food as “good” or “bad.” Griselda has provided me with the education around nutrition that has shifted my perspective to view food as just providing “more energy” or less energy.”
Having gone from simply restricting food as her main method of dieting, incorporating the knowledge that Maria has gained from Griselda has helped her fuel her body with healthy, protein-rich foods that give her the energy to show up as her strongest self in both her workouts and in her daily life.
Incorporating FFC Personal Training into Maria’s Routine
Not only has Maria worked with a nutritionist at FFC, she has also worked with Personal Trainer, Theresa Maloco. Maria’s past fears of a hostile environment at the gym completely melted away. Theresa created a safe environment for Maria. She also met Maria’s needs right where she was at. Having previously only focused on cardio, Theresa helped Maria build personalized and intentional full-body workouts.
“Theresa pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’ve lost weight, gained muscle, and have more energy than ever before.”
Fitness and Nutrition as a Lifestyle
Having come from a family that didn’t have much education around health and wellness, Maria is able to share her newfound passion with those closest to her. She’s even encouraged friends and family members to give FFC a try!
In addition to working with Griselda and Theresa, Maria enjoys FFC by participating in group Dance Classes and utilizing the Boxing Studio. Through FFC, Maria has gained not only muscle, but also confidence, and an incredible community of like-minded FFC members and employees. Her hope is that others like her who have had a negative view of the world of fitness and nutrition can see that it’s not so scary. FFC has shown Maria that fitness is for everyone.
Post Written by FFC Marketing Manager Sydney Meyer.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7463.jpeg6781536Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2024-06-24 10:03:242024-06-24 10:03:24Maria Vazquez – Fighting Negative Fitness Biases and Making Lasting Life Changes with FFC
In August of 2021, Sophie Lester was experiencing something that many of us adults have also experienced: burnout. She needed a way to take time for herself and relieve stress. Seeking a way to build physical and mental confidence outside of her job as a Chicago preschool teacher, she felt motivated to join a fitness club. She was curious about options such as working with a personal trainer or a nutritionist. Although Sophie had dabbled in gym memberships and group classes before, she had never found something that she resonated with enough to stick with. However, from the moment she stepped into FFC Lincoln Park, Sophie felt an immediate sense of belonging, the first step in her journey to physical and mental confidence.
Overcoming Skepticism
Struggling with weight fluctuations throughout her adult life, Sophie was a bit skeptical in her early days as an FFC member. I’m sure most of us can relate to trials and errors in exercise. Maybe you tried a new workout, loved it for a few months, then realized it wasn’t a “fix-all,” so you quit. Sophie was the same way. Sophie’s determination to make lasting life changes convinced her to fight off her skepticism and work with a personal trainer at FFC, Michael.
Similar to exercise routines she’d tried before, working with Michael wasn’t a “fix-all.” Instead, Michael led her to an approach unlike any fad diet or exercise she had done in her past.
“I knew right away that this was the approach I should have been taking all along.”
The Impact of a Personal Trainer
Michael met Sophie right where she was at. He talked through her goals, corrected her form, and helped her build strategic workouts targeting the right muscles, to work toward those goals. In addition to the fitness side of things, Sophie couldn’t say enough positive things about Michael’s encouragement. Have you ever felt intimidated by the gym? So had Sophie. Michael made her feel comfortable, and made the program he was working on with her personal and attainable.
The shift in perspective in working with a trainer was profound for Sophie. What once felt like a chore is now one of the best parts of her day. Michael’s support has helped her gain confidence in her physical abilities more than ever before. Starting with modifications and gradually working her way up, Sophie is finding herself achieving milestones she once thought were beyond her reach; she is even working toward a powerlifting competition!
“I’ve been able to prove to myself that I am capable of anything I set my mind to, no matter the size of my body.”
Discovering a Holistic Approach to Nutrition
In addition to exercise fads, have you also tried fad diets? Maybe the diets that influencers rave about? You try these diets, and realize that it is not a long-term solution. Sophie had been down that path as well. Seeing the incredible results she experienced with a trainer, Sophie was motivated to work with a nutritionist at FFC in 2022. Sophie’s nutritionist, Griselda, worked with her to take a holistic approach to wellness. Shifting her focus from the restrictive diets she once explored, Sophie now focuses on nourishing her body. In the same way that Michael met Sophie where she was at, Griselda helped Sophie develop a balanced approach to eating that prioritizes stability. And guess what? This is something that she can stick to long-term and actually enjoy it!
Managing Mental Health Through Fitness and Proper Nutrition
The transformations Sophie has experienced extended far beyond the physical benefits. For Sophie, FFC has become a safe space for her. She uses FFC as a tool to manage anxiety and depression. Before a stressful morning meeting, or after a long day of working with young children, Sophie uses FFC to relieve stress and cope with the ups and downs of life. The mental clarity and confidence are what keep Sophie motivated to continue.
Fitness as a Community and a Lifestyle
What sets FFC apart for Sophie is not just the facilities or the expertise of the trainers, but the genuine care and support extended to every member. From personalized workout programs to nutritional guidance, Sophie has found that FFC goes above and beyond to ensure that each client feels seen, heard, and empowered on their journey to wellness. And, her FFC community have become friends of hers as well!
As Sophie reflects on her transformation, she is beyond grateful for the role FFC has played in her life. What began as a search for physical fitness has evolved into a journey of mental and physical confidence. She can no longer see a life without a focus on fitness and wellness. With each workout she completes, Sophie takes one step closer to her goals, knowing that she carries the lessons learned and the strength gained at FFC Lincoln Park in every other aspect of her daily life.
Post Written by FFC Marketing Manager Sydney Meyer.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/email-images-2024-05-21T163150.613.png325975Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2024-05-22 10:29:102025-05-07 11:31:29How Sophie Lester Found Physical and Mental Confidence at FFC
Emily Oberst is a 25 year old Wisconsin Native, current Chicago resident, 2020 University of Illinois graduate, AND a member of Team U.S.A’s Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team. She and her team will be competing in the Paris Paralympic Games this summer! Emily is a member of FFC Gold Coast, where she completes most of her training for the Paralympics.
I met with her to learn about her background, how she found Wheelchair Basketball, her journey to making it to the Paris Paralympics, and what her training schedule looks like at FFC Gold Coast. Keep reading to learn Emily’s story, or watch our interview below!
From Cancer Survivor to Paralympic Athlete
As a young girl, Emily was obsessed with basketball. She spent her weekends traveling for tournaments, and had dreams to one day play in the WNBA and maybe even make it on the Team U.S.A Olympic Basketball team. At age 12, Emily was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a bone cancer that was in her leg. The diagnosis meant she would have to undergo a forced surgery, causing her to lose the ability to run and jump.
“At the time, I was more devastated to learn I wouldn’t be able to play basketball than the actual cancer, because I was only 12 years old and I didn’t really know what (receiving a cancer diagnosis) meant.”
The great news: after undergoing the surgery and chemotherapy, Emily is in full remission!
Emily explained that her best friends at that age were her teammates. Though she was grateful to be healthy, when she was told she wouldn’t be able to play basketball anymore, she crumbled. She stayed on her basketball team as a manager, but she couldn’t stop herself from desperately missing the sport that had been such an important part of her life.
Discovering Wheelchair Basketball
To satisfy her passion for sports and fitness, Emily explored alternative options to basketball. She tried out golf, which did not require full leg function. At age 15, she was approached by a Wheelchair Basketball coach in her hometown of Milwaukee to try out the sport. He invited her to attend one of their practices.
“I was originally very hesitant. I didn’t understand that because I walk in everyday life, I could still play an adaptive sport.”
She went to the practice anyways, with the goal of politely saying, “thanks for thinking of me, but I don’t think this sport is for me.” Emily was immediately surprised with what she saw on the court. A sport she had assumed was slower paced with little excitement seemed to be just the opposite. Emily fell in love with the energy, athleticism, and competitiveness of Wheelchair Basketball. It encompassed everything that she loved about able-bodied basketball!
But, she wasn’t in a wheelchair in everyday life. How could she participate? Emily learned that anyone who is unable to participate in able-bodied basketball as a result of a disabling conditioning or injury is able to play wheelchair basketball. Having experienced a surgery at 12 that prevented her from running and jumping, Emily was qualified to play wheelchair basketball.
From that practice on, Emily’s passion for basketball was reignited.
Journey to College and National Team Success
Emily worked on building upper body strength and learning the differing rules of the Wheelchair Basketball game. From what Emily explained, in addition to the sport being incredibly fun, the Wheelchair Basketball community is incredible. She said that everyone has a unique story that got them there. They also have many commonalities, including their love for sports and basketball, that bonds them.
Emily played Wheelchair Basketball throughout high school. She went on to be recruited for the University of Alabama College Team at age 17. She transferred to University of Illinois, where she finished her career as a college athlete. During her time at University of Illinois, she also made the U.S.A Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team and won a gold medal in the 2019 U.S. Women’s U25 World Championships!
Reigniting Passion Post-College
After graduating college in 2020, Emily’s focus turned to her career in operations and logistics. She was loving her post-college life in Chicago. However, she felt a part of her was missing without having basketball in her daily routine. In the summer of 2021, she watched as some of her college teammates competed in the Tokyo Paralympics, taking home the bronze medal for Team U.S.A.
“I have never known what (winning a Paralympic medal) felt like, so that sparked my passion (for Wheelchair Basketball) again.”
I can’t imagine what it would be like to work a full time job AND train for the Paralympics, but Emily is pulling it off flawlessly. Since picking up the sport again in 2021, Emily and the Team U.S.A Women’s Basketball Team won a bronze medal at the World Championships and a gold medal at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Her next goal? Win gold in Paris!
Paralympic Training and FFC Gold Coast
Emily spends one long weekend a month at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The rest of her Paralympic training happens at FFC Gold Coast.
“It’s super nice that this (FFC) location has a basketball court so I can easily come shoot hoops when I need to get those sessions in and then lift for the conditioning portion of my training.”
How You Can Support Emily’s Journey
My first question for Emily as we were finishing up our time together was how we can best support her from back in the U.S. while she is in Paris competing with Team U.S.A. The first step is to follow her on Instagram, @emily_oberst. She posts updates on her Paralympic journey there. She will also be going to China in a few weeks to compete in a “Friendly Tournament” against China and the Netherlands. Follow along with her team there as well!
Interested in watching the games in Paris? Me too. Emily informed me that they will be streaming on Peacock!
Emily, your FFC Family can’t wait to support you in the Paralympic Games. We are so lucky to have you as a part of our community!
Post Written by FFC Marketing Manager Sydney Meyer.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Emily-x-FFC-Court.jpg684683Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2024-05-06 16:42:082024-05-06 16:42:08Emily Oberst’s Road to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Emily has completed her 12-week program – did she accomplish her goal to squat 180 pounds? Find out below.
Twelve weeks ago, Emily started her Day One program with the goal to squat 180 pounds. Let’s take a look back at weeks 9 – 12 of Emily’s program to see if she accomplished her goal!
Week 9
When we last checked in with Emily, she was experiencing some pain from her training. Now, she’s feeling nervous about further injury as she heads into the home stretch of her program.
“I’m feeling nervous because last week I had some tricep pain,” Emily said. “I took the extra rest day, which is great, but I’m really just wary of I think risk of injury, and I also don’t love that this is happening two weeks before the big lift.”
As the final week of her program approaches, Emily’s friends and family offer messages of support for Emily’s hard work.
“I just want to say how proud I am of my daughter Emily,” her mom said. “She’s worked so far to reach her goals.”
Emily’s sister, who helped inspire Emily to start strength training, also expressed how proud she was of her sister.
Finally, Emily’s boyfriend Aaron shares how Emily’s confidence has grown through the course of the program.
“One thing I can say about Emily is that she is much more confident about lifting and working out in general,” he said. “Before, she told me she was a little bit intimidated about lifting heavy and having to get the big giant squat rack on her, but now she’s just jumping to it. And shoot, she can squat me now!”
Week 11
The big day is finally here!
“Today I am going to attempt 180 pounds and I’m so excited,” Emily said.
Watch the video above to see Emily head to the squat rack for her final rep.
Now that Emily’s goal has been accomplished, we check in with her to hear about her experience with the program and working with her trainer Kyle.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” Emily said. “Now [that it’s over], I feel the after-lift blues a little.”
FFC Personal Trainer Kyle Decker trained Emily to increase her squat to 180 pounds over the course of the program. Emily had this message for Kyle after the program:
“Hi Kyle – I wanted to say a huge thank you to you because not only are you professional skilled and taught me so much, but I think you really cared for me during this whole three month journey, Emily said.
Kyle also had a message for Emily after the program:
“Emily, I didn’t doubt you a minute,” Kyle said. “This entire journey has been great. You’ve done everything I asked of you, and I’m so proud of you for hitting your goal. I look forward to helping you achieve many other fitness goals.”
Congratulations, Emily, on accomplishing your goal! We can’t wait to continue supporting you on your health and fitness journey!
Check out all of our Day One participants’ journeys by following along on our YouTube channel!
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Untitled-design-2.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-10-04 16:06:552022-10-04 16:06:55Day One Journey: Emily Is Ready For The Big Day!
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Emily is now more than halfway to her goal to squat 180 pounds.
Emily’s program has flown by over the past 8 weeks, and she’s well on her way to squatting 180 pounds with the help of her FFC Personal Trainer Kyle Decker. In addition to her weekly training sessions, Emily has had the chance to test her RMR and VO2 Max at FFC as well as receive therapeutic massages at the FFC Spa. Let’s take a look back at weeks 5 – 8 of Emily’s journey.
Week 5
As part of the Day One program, Emily gets a Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test and a VO2 Max test.
RMR tests, administered by a Registered Dietitian at FFC, tell the test-taker what their basic metabolic needs are at rest, which comes in handy when fueling your body and meeting nutritional needs.
The VO2 Max test, administered by a FFC Personal Trainer, provides intel around your oxygen consumption during a workout and your personal heart-rate zones.
Emily shared her excitement right before receiving her tests at the club.
“I’ve worn a heart monitor once or twice but never really tracked [my heart rate during a workout], and I’m pretty excited to see how this will go,” Emily said.
Emily learned some found valuable pieces of information from her VO2 Max test.
“I actually found out that I have excellent recovery and a great potential for stamina,” Emily said. “[I found out] I’m in a superior fitness level, so that’s really cool to hear, and it means I have no excuses anymore!”
At the halfway mark in her program, Emily shares how she’s feeling about her training plan so far and what has surprised her about her journey.
“The most interesting thing I have learned during this process is seeing how much everything blends with each other,” Emily said.
She’s been careful to stick with her nutrition plan and her four workouts per week from her trainer Kyle, while incorporating rest days, stretching and getting a good night’s sleep.
“Seeing it all in action makes me realize how much discipline [it takes] and how proud I am so far at this halfway point that I’ve been careful to do this to the best of my abilities,” Emily said. “Kudos to everybody who works really hard to incorporate [training] in your life and doesn’t have a whole package deal because it’s hard, it really is.”
Week 7
Therapeutic massage at the FFC Spa is a wonderful way for strength trainers to incorporate recovery into their training routine. Emily received a massage with FFC Massage Therapist Arthur Green at our FFC East Lakeview Spa.
“The reason I would have [strength trainers] come in and get a massage is because there’s a battle going on with your muscles every time you contract them, relax them, every day you work out,” Arthur said.
In addition to getting regular massages, Arthur recommends a spending a good amount of time stretching after workouts to prolong the amount of time needed between massage appointments.
Of course, those who strength train regularly aren’t the only people who can benefit from massage.
“Almost everybody has some kind of stress build-up in their upper back, in their rotator cuff muscles,” Arthur said. “If you feel little bumps in your [back muscles], that’s probably an indication that you’ve got knots, and they really need to be worked out with the compression of the magic thumb.”
A few weeks before her big lift, Emily wakes up to some pain in her arm, making her nervous about her ability to complete her program injury-free.
“It kind of worries me because I only have about two and half weeks left until my major lift,” Emily said. “I just feel a little guilty for not being more careful.”
Stay up-to-date with Emily’s journey by following along on our YouTube channel!
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Emily-and-Kyle.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-09-19 15:43:352022-09-19 15:43:35Day One Journey: Emily Trains For Her Big Lift!
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Let’s meet one of those members: Emily!
Emily is a member of FFC East Lakeview and she applied to our Day One Program with a very specific goal: squat 180 pounds.
Emily started weightlifting in 2019, but once gyms shut down during the pandemic, she lost a bit of her momentum with lifting. Before she started the Day One program, she was able to squat close to 100 pounds, but she is looking forward to the structure that comes with working with a personal trainer.
“Even though I’ve been on the machines before in the gym, I think coming back to the gym and doing these types of workouts still takes a lot of discipline and trust in yourself and in your trainer.”
Emily is in her final semester of graduate school, and she hopes this program will help her manage the stress that comes along with applying for jobs and transitioning from school into a career.
“It’s going to be an interesting 90 days to see how this program will help my own mental health and stress routine,” Emily said.
Week 1
As part of the Day One program, Emily is paired with FFC Personal Trainer Kyle Decker. Emily and Kyle will train together for 12 weeks to get her ready for her big lift.
Emily was inspired to squat 180 pounds because someone once told her that 180 pounds is the average weight of a man.
“That was just something that kind of hit me because I really am about women-empowerment, building strength and also being able to protect yourself, so that number really stuck out to me,” she said.
If she reaches her goal, Emily will be able to squat her own bodyweight and a half, which is another reason she chose to make 180 pounds her goal.
With 12 weeks to prepare Emily to squat 180 pounds, Kyle determined she will need to increase her squat weight every week by 5 pounds, which Kyle mentioned was a “lofty goal.”
“Considering I really hope to get as close as I can to 180 pounds – or actually hit 180 pounds because that would be super cool – that’s his gameplan,” Emily said.
During Week 2 of her program, Emily tries her training program on her own. After completing the four workouts assigned to her by Kyle, Emily leaves the gym feeling empowered.
“I’m feeling really good. The movements are definitely a lot easier and I just feel really excited. I also feel really good stress relief from that workout,” she exclaimed.
Week 3
In addition to her weekly training with Kyle, Emily is also seeing FFC Registered Dietitian McKayla Braender to make sure she’s fueling her body properly.
“Three must-haves if you lift regularly would be protein, carbohydrates and hydration,” McKayla said. “For a weight lifter, our protein is going to be much more important.”
Emily then shows us what a typical post-workout meal looks like for her, with veggies, a sandwich and a protein shake.
Week 4
It’s week 4 of Emily’s program, and we check in to see how her training sessions with Kyle have been going.
“I really like the way that [Kyle] instructs because not only does he really emphasize proper form, but he explains why we’re doing something – why this is the process and the pace we’re going,” Emily said.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and the pickleball craze has hit FFC! FFC Creative Director Josh Beaton shares his experience learning the sport and explains why it’s a great way to stay active and connect with fellow Chicagoans.
With the sting of sweat lingering in my eyes, I got into position. Squinting to see through the sun’s gaze, I heard the crack of the paddle hitting the ball. The game was on. Barreling toward me was a neon green wiffleball, spinning in the air like a major league pitch. I adjusted my stance and swung my paddle. Crack! The ball exploded off my paddle, barely clearing the net and flying toward the sideline. “Out!” yelled a player on the opposing team. The word echoed in my head. Followed closely by, “That’s game!” After muttering an apology to my partner, I walked off the court with my head down. This was defeat. This was pickleball.
If you’re unfamiliar with pickleball, it is a paddle-sport that is similar to tennis, ping-pong, badminton and other racket sports. Pickleball was invented in Washington State in 1965, and according to USA Pickleball, there are now around 4.8 million players in the US. Pickleball can be played outside, typically on a tennis court surface, or indoors on a basketball court. The court is smaller than an average tennis court, and the game can either be played as singles or doubles.
I came onto the pickleball scene recently. In February 2022, our Director of Fitness was telling a group of us at the FFC Corporate office how fun the game is. I have to admit, I thought pickleball was for senior citizens. I assumed this was just a modern version of shuffleboard or something. Little did I know, I would become addicted after one game.
A group of us from the office headed to FFC Union Station for a lesson on the rules of pickleball. Truth be told, pickleball rules are a bit confusing at first. There are areas that you can’t step foot in, new words to learn and rules about bounces. The serving order is also tricky. Because of these things, the initial intimidation factor is high, but it doesn’t take long for the rules to become second nature. In no time, you are tiptoeing along the “kitchen” line and hitting “dinks” to win the point.
To actually play the game, the learning curve is low. Hit the ball over the net without it going out of bounds. Seems easy enough, right? The thing is, pickleball is a lot like chess. It take minutes to learn and a lifetime to master.
Soon after our first lesson, I was on Amazon searching for pickleball paddles to buy for myself. After some intense research, I decided on a paddle and eagerly awaited its arrival. Once the box hit my doorstep, I was looking for ways to play more games throughout the city. Through the app Team Reach, I discovered many groups around Chicago that play pickleball in area parks and decided to head to meet up with a group in Rogers Park.
When I got to the park, I timidly approached the tennis courts where I could see the pickeballers playing. There were around 20 people already playing, and I thought I would sneak my way in and just watch for awhile. As soon as I stepped on the court, a game ended and someone asked, “Hey man, do you want to play?” I was scared, but also determined, so I said, “absolutely.”
I thought I would immediately be banished when the group saw how new I was to the sport. On the contrary, they were very welcoming and helped me when they saw me struggling. After losing the first game, I moved on to another court. Again, the players were amazing — not only in skill but also attitude. They never made me feel dumb for not playing at the level they were used to. After losing game after game and moving from court to court, I finally won a game. As a highly competitive person, I thought that would be the most important thing that happened. I was wrong. While I was moving around the courts, not only was I learning how to better play the game, but I was also meeting a great group of people.
Fast forward a few months and now a group of us in the office play every Thursday. Not only that, but I also play with the Rogers Park crew every Saturday and Sunday for four hours each day! It gives me some solid exercise, and I get to see the people I can now call friends. My game has gotten a lot better, and now I get to welcome people when they show up for the first time. I even joined a pickleball league that starts this fall, and I’m looking forward to seeing how I compare to other competitive players in the area.
I know what you are thinking…”Josh, I have social anxiety and I would be too scared to just walk up to strangers and ask to play with them.” I get it. What I have found is the pickleball community is one of the most welcoming and friendly groups out there. If you are interested in learning to play pickleball but feel nervous about joining a group, come to Rogers Park any weekend or FFC Union Station on Thursday mornings! I promise there will be a court and a few friendly faces waiting for you.
FFC Elmhurst, FFC Gold Coast, FFC Oak Park, FFC Park Ridge and FFC Union Station offer open pickleball play on their basketball courts. Lessons and tournaments are also offered from time to time. To view open play times, head to the Club Events section on the FFC+ app.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/pickleball-blog-1.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-07-20 14:58:552022-07-20 14:58:55What Is Pickleball? Learn Why This FFC Employee Loves The Sport
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Renu has completed her 12-week program – did she accomplish her goal to run a 5k? Find out below.
In March, Renu began her 12-week journey to train for a 5k through our Day One program. Let’s take a look back at weeks 9 – 11 of Renu’s program to see if she accomplished her goal!
During our Week 9 video, we talk to both Renu and her trainer Nick to see how they’re feeling about the upcoming race and Renu’s progress throughout the program.
“When I take a step back and look at how I felt when I applied for this [program], I feel a lot stronger [now], I feel more optimistic,” Renu said.
Her trainer, Nick, is thrilled with the progress Renu made throughout her training program.
“Over the course of the [program], I’ve seen dramatic improvements out of [Renu] just in terms of her range of motion, her strength, her endurance, ” Nick said. “She was able to persevere through a lot, so I really feel that for this race, she will be able to persevere just because she has that mental grit.”
Week 10
It’s race day for Renu! Watch the video above to see Renu take on the Lincoln Park Zoo 5K!
Week 11
Renu’s Day One Program comes to a close after she accomplishes her goal to run a 5K! In our last video, we check in with Renu after her race to hear how the program has impacted her life.
“I feel most definitely that this is a beginning,” Renu said. “I don’t think of this as a finish at all but rather a start of how good it feels to achieve something you didn’t think you could do.”
So what’s up next for Renu? She plans to keep on running and already has her next goal in mind.
“To be able to run 3 to 5 miles on a more regular basis in my next goal,” Renu said.
Congratulations, Renu, on accomplishing your Day One goal! We are so excited to see what you do next!
Check out all of our Day One participants’ journeys by following along on our YouTube channel!
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/renu-and-daughter.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-07-07 12:33:302022-07-07 12:33:30Day One Journey: Renu Is Ready For Race Day!
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Renu is now more than halfway to race day as she trains to run a 5k.
It’s been eight weeks since Renu had her first training session with FFC Personal Trainer Nick Rodriguez. In addition to her weekly training sessions, Renu has been working with FFC Registered Dietitian Kathy Chung, hitting the streets to practice the route for her upcoming 5k and more. Let’s take a look back at weeks 5 – 8 of Renu’s training.
Renu has been working hard to fit in the time for her workouts and training sessions. In Week 5, Renu shares how she and Nick had to reschedule their session to an early Saturday morning – a time when Renu says she is normally asleep. Early bird gets the worm!
Week 6 marks the halfway point of Renu’s Day One program, and Renu laces up her sneakers to give the 5K route a test run.
“I hadn’t run outside in awhile and it was really helpful because it kept me honest,” Renu said. “I had to run/walk more than I thought I would, but I’m looking forward to [race day].”
Week 7
FFC Registered Dietitian Kathy Chung has been working with Renu throughout her program, and Renu said she has started to make great changes in both what and when she eats.
One of the biggest changes Renu has made is adjusting her nutrition during a busy day.
“You don’t always have time to have a proper meal, so being able to stock your office with healthy things that you can grab without having to think is important,” Renu said.
Renu also learned the importance of eating before and after her workouts, and she hopes that her nutrition counseling with Kathy will help her continue to be more mindful about how she fuels her body.
“I think we’ve worked to help improve her relationship with food, [which in general] is our overall goal,” Kathy said. “We also worked on helping her fuel properly for her fitness, her workouts, her training sessions and hopefully her 5K.”
Week 8
During Week 8, we take an inside look at Renu’s training sessions with Nick. It’s the final week of training before the big race! Stay tuned to find out how Renu’s journey to run a 5K ends!
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Untitled-design-2.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-06-08 15:13:032022-06-08 15:13:03Day One Journey: Renu Gears Up For Her 5K
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Let’s meet one of those members: Renu!
Renu has been an FFC member for 26 years, and she applied for our Day One Program with the goal of running a 5k. Renu moved to Chicago from Atlanta, where she regularly ran 5k and 10k races, but Chicago’s cold weather has kept her from developing a regular running routine in recent years. She hopes that participating in our program will help her recommit to running.
“I haven’t run in a long time,” Renu said. “For me, it’s more of the process to get ready [to run a race] that is motivating to me.”
A lifelong exerciser, Renu enjoys yoga, cycling and swimming in addition to running.
“I’ve always exercised, however, the intensity and frequency have varied based on what’s happening in life,” Renu said.
After suffering an unexpected personal loss in 2020, Renu is excited to have this goal and this program as “an integral part of moving forward and starting a new chapter.” She aims to become physically and mentally stronger and be a role model of strength and resilience for her daughter and family.
“I just want to feel strong again,” Renu said. “I want to strive to be able to say, ‘This is the healthiest I’ve been’.”
Renu is also looking forward to having the support of the FFC community as she trains for race day.
“I think the pandemic has isolated so many people, and this [program provides] a community to be a part of that’s focused on being healthy.”
Week 1
As part of the Day One program, Renu is paired with FFC Personal Trainer Nick Rodriguez who will help her train for her upcoming race. Renu and Nick will train together for 12 weeks leading up to race day, and before her first training session, Renu said she felt “energized and eager and hopeful that [she] can match [her] energy with what [she’ll] be doing in the next three months.”
Nick said his priority for their first few training sessions together is to get to know Renu and her goals so he can build a program that will help her prepare for her race.
“It will be interesting to see how her endurance and her cardio is today and then in the next couple of months, how much that progresses,” Nick said.
With a big goal ahead of her, Renu is ready to get the ball rolling on her training.
“Anytime there is a big project or big task ahead of you, the best way to tackle it is to start. So that’s what I want to do: start and not overthink it,” Renu said.
During Week 2 of her program, Renu has her second training session with Nick.
“Nick said I have a lot more in me to unlock,” Renu said. “I’m already feeling a little bit better and I have a lot more that I am excited to explore.
Week 3
As Renu continues her training with Nick, she checks out the Recovery Lounge at FFC Gold Coast and tells us how she’s feeling so far.
“I’ll tell you, this program, it keeps you honest,” Renu said. “I’m trying, and I’m really excited and a little bit nervous if I’m going to be able to meet my goal, but we’ve got a plan and Nick is awesome.”
Week 4
In addition to her weekly training sessions, Renu receives monthly massages at the FFC Spa to help her relax and recover over the course of the program. In our week 4 episode, Renu shares the importance of massage in her routine.
“I’ve gotten [a massage] at the club before, and I’ve always wondered why I don’t do it more often,” Renu said. “It helps you to reset your mind and your body, and it’s nice to do it at a familiar place every time.”
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Juan has completed his 12-week program – did he accomplish his goal to learn how to swim? Find out below.
In January, Juan began his 12-week journey to learn how to swim through our Day One program. In addition to weekly sessions in the pool with FFC Personal Trainer Joy Miles, Juan supplemented his training with nutrition counseling, massage and metabolic testing. Let’s take a look back at weeks 7 – 12 of Juan’s program.
Week 7
Just past the halfway point in his training, Juan had a breakthrough when he successfully made it the length of the pool kicking on his back without any assistance from his coach Joy. As Juan became more comfortable in the water, Joy began to introduce pieces of freestyle stroke into their training. Joy describes that Juan had an “Aha moment” during Week 7 of his training.
“He’s now realizing how much work it is in learning how to swim,” Joy said. “There’s a lot of things you need to consider when you’re in the water, versus when you’re on land.”
Breath, body orientation and knowing how to move your body in a constantly moving environment will remain high on their priority list as they continue their training sessions.
In Week 8, Juan takes a resting metabolic rate (RMR) test with one of our registered dietitians to learn more about his body’s metabolic needs.
By taking an RMR test, Juan learns how many calories his body burns in a typical day – first without factoring in any movement or exercise. The test also shows estimates for how many calories a person can expect to burn in a 30 minute workout. This information is valuable because it can help guide a person’s caloric needs for the day.
Based on the results of his test, Juan learned that his metabolism is 33% faster than that of the average person. Because he is swimming regularly and has a goal of adding lean muscle mass, the results of the RMR test help determine how many calories he should eat during a day to accomplish his personal goals.
Week 9
Juan takes another type of test during Week 9: a VO2 Max test. A VO2 Max test tells you the volume of oxygen you consume per minute, which is helpful to know if you are working on your endurance.
“[Because Juan] is currently in a swimming program, this goes hand in hand to get a better understanding of where his conditioning is at,” FFC Fitness Director Christopher Berlanga said.
VO2 tests are traditionally done on a treadmill or a stationary bicycle where the participant wears a mask connected to a machine that analyzes the body’s consumption of oxygen during exercise. This test can be repeated every 90 days to see how your level of physical conditioning has improved from your workout sessions.
Both the RMR and VO2 max test are performed at our FFC locations. For more information, email metabolictesting@ffc.com.
Week 10
With two weeks left in his training program, we check in with Juan to see how he’s feeling about completing his goal.
“I’m pretty confident that I am getting everything that comes along with swimming, so I’m going to put everything together and see what happens,” Juan said. “As we are wind down on the program, I am making extremely good progress, I feel, and I can’t wait to show everyone.”
Week 11
It’s the big day! Can Juan swim the length of the pool with the skills he has learned over the course of the program? Watch the video above to find out!
Week 12
As Juan’s journey comes to a close, we ask Juan and Joy to reflect on the last 12 weeks and discuss how far Juan has come in his journey to learn to swim.
“I feel 100 times better than when I started [swimming],” Juan said. “When I first started I was like, ‘Oh my God, am I going to be able to do this? Am I gonna drown?'”
From Juan’s first week to Week 12, Joy said she saw a “vast improvement” in Juan’s skills and comfortability in the pool.
“There’s still a lot to be done with going into a full freestyle stroke, but he knows that it’s a process and everyone’s learning curve is different,” Joy said. “He’s much more comfortable in the water, much more confident in the water than when he first started, so I’m very happy about that.”
Juan said the biggest surprise of learning how to swim is how involved every part of the body is.
“Every piece of your body has to be working on something at some moment,” Juan said. “Where are your glutes? Where are your legs? How are you kicking? Where are your arms? What is your breathing like? You have to worry about everything.”
So what’s next for Juan?
“Now that I have a new skill, I will be using it, improving on it and will see where it takes me, and [Joy], I’ll be calling you next month,” Juan said.
Congratulations on completing the Day One program and learning how to swim, Juan! We are so proud of the progress you’ve made and the skills you have learned.
We will be highlighting three more FFC members as they tackle their own Day One goals this year. Keep an eye out for new episodes weekly at youtube.com/FitnessFormulaClubs.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Untitled-design.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-04-15 11:15:532022-04-15 11:15:53Day One Journey: Juan’s Journey Comes To A Close
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!Juan is now halfway through his journey to learn to swim and we catch up with him below.
It’s been six weeks since Juan had his first private swimming lesson with FFC Personal Trainer Joy Miles. In these first six weeks of training, Juan has learned how to balance his body in the water, both on his back and prone with his face in the water, how to breathe comfortably in the water and how to develop his swim stroke. Let’s take a look back at weeks 3 – 6 of Juan’s training.
Week 3
During Week 3 of his journey, Juan takes us along as he prepares for his training session with Joy. Juan is also practicing on his own to work on the drills and skills Joy has been teaching during their sessions. With swim practice, “sometimes you’ve gotta dive right in,” Juan said.
In Week 4, Juan takes a trip to the FFC Spa to get his first Deep Tissue Massage with FFC Massage Therapist Michelle Mendoza. Michelle herself is a swimmer, and she said when she is working with swimmers, there is typically a pattern of tightness on the back of the body, including the glutes, shoulders and neck.
Michelle recommends that swimmers get a Deep Tissue Massage at least once a month if not twice a month.
“What you’re doing is bringing more blood to muscle groups with a deep tissue [massage],” she said. “The blood then is supplying those muscle tissues with more healing benefits.”
Massage can benefit everyone’s daily lives, and Juan is already looking forward to his next appointment.
“[The massage] went really well, it was very relaxing,” Juan said. “I will definitely do this again in the future.”
Week 5
Each of the participants in our Day One program is paired with a FFC Registered Dietitian to help guide them as they take on a new fitness routine. In Week 5, Juan meets with FFC Registered Dietitian McKayla Braender.
After his first meeting with McKayla, Juan had a number of takeaways, mainly that he needs to prioritize taking a lunch break during the work day and increase his protein intake.
McKayla asked Juan to keep a food journal to get a better idea of his eating habits, his likes and his dislikes in order to best individualize her nutrition guidance. This practice will also help Juan become more aware of his nutrition habits.
“She has taught me to be more mindful of what I’m eating and what nutritional value that could provide,” Juan said.
Because swimming is a total body workout that burns a lot of calories, McKayla said swimmers should focus on having a great pre-workout snack that is easily digestible – like a banana, apple sauce, a plain bagel or fruit snacks.
Post-workout, McKayla said swimmers should focus on refueling carbohydrate stores and adding in more fiber. Brown rice, whole wheat toast or whole wheat pasta are great choices to replenish energy stores when paired with a protein.
Week 6
As Juan reaches his halfway mark in Week 6, he shares that he is getting more comfortable in the water and can see that progress is being made.
“I feel more comfortable as a swimmer, thanks to my instructor Joy,” Juan said. “Joy’s taught me the importance of working with the water and not trying to fight against it.”
One of the things Joy suggested to help Juan get more comfortable putting his face in the water is to grab a large mixing bowl, fill it with water, put his face in the water with his goggles on and exhale out in the water.
After he is more comfortable with breathing in the water, Joy will be working on stroke development with Juan.
“I feel great about the program so far,” Juan said. “I feel like I am gaining new life skills, and we’ll see how it all plays out in the end!”
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled-design-2-1-1.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-02-17 15:31:312022-02-17 15:31:31Day One Journey: Checking In With Juan At The Halfway Mark
In late 2021, we asked our members, “What’s Your Day One?” Dozens of members shared their 2022 fitness goals with us, and we chose four members to follow on their journeys from Day One to Goal Accomplished!First up, let’s meet Juan!
Juan joined the FFC Family in 2012 after graduating from college. Over the years, Juan has worked on and off with a personal trainer and has also come to the club for cardio and lifting workouts on his own. One thing he hasn’t tried in his 10 years of membership with FFC? Swimming.
“Usually when I’m in a pool, I’m holding an alcoholic beverage,” Juan said with a laugh.
In his submission video, Juan said that it has been his goal to learn how to swim since joining the club.
“I have not achieved that goal yet, but I’m hoping that you all can help me learn how to swim and lead a healthier lifestyle of having that routine of swimming,” Juan said.
Typically, Juan hits the gym about three times a week, but he had a busy few months near the end of 2021 in his career as a Data Analytics Manager. By learning how to swim with our Day One program, Juan hopes that swimming will give him another reason to visit the club regularly.
“I also want to learn how to swim just to have a new life skill,” Juan said. “Global warming, riding sea tides, you never know,” he joked.
Each of the participants in our Day One program is paired with a FFC Personal Trainer to help them achieve their goals. Juan is paired with Joy Miles, a 40+-time triathlete who has worked at FFC as a Personal Trainer for more than 12 years.
“I love teaching people, especially adults, how to learn to swim,” Joy said.
Joy learned how to swim just three months before her first triathlon, and her advice to new swimmers is to get in the pool often.
“Swimming is more technical than golf,” Joy said. “If you can get into the pool at least three times a week when you’re first learning how to swim, your swim IQ is going to jump dramatically, versus just swimming once a week.”
During her first sessions with Juan, Joy introduced some balance drills and helped him get comfortable with putting his face in the water, which she said is one of the biggest learning curves for people when they are learning to swim.
“One of my homework assignments for [Juan] is to get the largest mixing bowl that you have, fill it with water, put your goggles on, and put your face in the water,” Joy said. “Exhale out in the water and turn your head to get that air.”
After he is more comfortable with breathing in the water, Joy will be working on stroke development with Juan. She said she is excited to be working with someone who is motivated and who is taking their swim lessons seriously.
“His attitude is really good, really positive for this because he wants to do this,” Joy said. “And that makes all the difference when it comes to learning how to swim.”
Joy is confident in Juan’s abilities to reach his goal, and Juan is looking forward to seeing how the program progresses over these 12 weeks.
“This is my first time doing something like this,” Juan said. “I just want to fully take it all in, learn a new skill and hopefully be up in the pool every day working out and getting my summer body in shape.”
Watch below for a sneak peek on all 4 of our Day One participants!
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Untitled-design-2.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2022-01-17 16:15:252022-01-17 16:15:25Day One Journey: Meet Juan
Corynne Cooper is the General Manager of 111 S. Wacker Fitness Center, managed by FFC. In part three of this three-part series, Corynne shares how her Olympic dreams lead her to collegiate athletics and how the sport of gymnastics has influenced her life.
Having spent so many years training, I of course had dreams of representing my country in the Olympics. However, we all know there are only a select few who make it that far. Nonetheless, I still went as far as I could. I competed nationally and internationally, mostly in the US and Europe. This sport provided a path for me to travel to places I may not have ever seen.
Around age 14, once I realized the Olympics was not in my future, I turned my sights to collegiate athletics. I had no idea of the expense associated with going to college, however, I did know I wanted to get a degree, and I didn’t want my parents to feel obligated to fund it.
Growing up, my parents made it very clear that they would fund our education, no matter what that meant for them in regards to their own lifestyle and retirement. However, while the Olympics did not happen, a college scholarship did. I accepted a full scholarship to the University of Iowa and was a four-year contributor to the gymnastics team. I competed in every single competition during my four year tenure.
It amazed me how different USA gymnastics was from collegiate gymnastics. USA gymnastics is amazingly intense, and in some cases, not team-focused at all. Collegiate gymnastics is more energetic – with fans screaming, school-colored pom-poms and the school’s fight song playing after a stuck landing. While Individual competition is important, collegiate gymnastics is heavily team-focused. We’re all rooting for each other to do well. There’s techno music playing in the background at a collegiate competition, rather than dead silence or elevator music playing at a USA gymnastics competition.
The sport allowed me to travel to different colleges across the country and also solidified a handful of friendships I cannot live without today. I have attended bridal showers and weddings and have even been a Maid-of-Honor on a few occasions. I have attended various baby showers and Christenings, and now that I’m older, I have been a part of so many moments related to their growing families – vow renewals, graduations, and house warmings.
While watching the Tokyo Olympics this past summer – or any Olympics for that matter – I felt a strong sense of nostalgia and competitiveness but also empathy. The life of a competitive gymnast is so difficult but also unbelievably rewarding. When I watch these pretty girls on the TV screen, I’m sure they all want to be there. They have trained countless hours to perform for less than five minutes. Think about that. A vault takes about 10 seconds, a bar routine is about 45 seconds, beam and floor routines are no longer than 90 seconds each. Thousands of hours of work. Repeating skills over and over and over again searching for perfection. All of this time and effort to perform and be judged in five minutes.
During the 2020 Olympics, there was a lot of talk about Simone Biles stepping back from Olympic competition. She was the reigning World and Olympic champion and the medals were there for her taking. How could she step away from the possibility of adding even more medals to her collection?
For those who may be confused by her decision, listen up. One of the main things gymnasts must have is something called “air awareness.” Air awareness is knowing where you are and what your body is doing while in mid air in the midst of doing your skill. The goal with just about every skill is to launch yourself into the air and land on your feet safely. Landing in any other way can result in deductions or injury. If a gymnast loses this awareness, it’s called the “twisties” or being “lost in the air.”
Some say it’s similar to vertigo, and a gymnast has no idea that this will happen. It’s a mental block that slaps you in the face. It’s doubtful a top athlete would plan to have this issue at the Olympic Games. Simone Biles did a vault, and to no fault of her own, she only did 1.5 twists instead of the planned 2.5 twists. Luckily, she landed on her feet, but it was obvious by the positioning of her body in the air and her face when she landed that something was wrong.
When you’re lost in the air, all you can do is hope you land safely and not on your head or neck. Momentum, gravity and prayer are carrying you at that point. Getting lost in the air breaks your confidence, and you don’t know if you can safely do the skill again. Is a medal worth a severe injury? Simone Biles made the decision to preserve her long term health and we have to respect that decision. She has a lot of life ahead of her after the sport of gymnastics ends for her.
Physically, gymnasts are strong, powerful, flexible, coordinated and have incredible air awareness. Mentally, gymnasts are disciplined, health-conscious, respectful, humble and hard-working. To this day, the things this amazing sport has taught me are embedded within my soul, as if I were born this way.
This sport, coupled with an amazing upbringing, has made me who I am today. I am respectful to everyone and have never talked back to an adult. And when I make a mistake, I’m still so hard on myself. Physically speaking, the athlete in me is still going strong. I still work out daily, two times per day actually. I will run myself ragged before I ever quit. I am up before 4 AM, seven days per week, and I’m constantly assessing my diet to see how I can become healthier. Once a gymnast, always a gymnast!
Even though my gymnastics career is in my rearview mirror, my competitive spirit is still there! I feel like I still compete every day, either with myself to beat my previous time, weight or reps, or with the oblivious person next to me in a class or on the treadmill. I recently raced my significant other up the bleachers. Well, I was racing…I don’t think he cared either way.
When gymnastics ended after college I relaxed a bit. It felt odd to wake up without a set plan. It was weird to not have a four hour practice every single day. I didn’t know what it felt like to spend a weekend at home, not traveling to a competition. It was difficult for me to adjust to not having every second of my day/week/month planned. While in graduate school, I decided to try powerlifting and Olympic lifting and competed for about five years.
While studying and competing in both of these circuits I took on bodybuilding as well. I won my pro card in bodybuilding in only my second show and competed professionally in bodybuilding for another 10 years! Again, traveling throughout the country doing shows, working booths at fitness events and being hired to do guest posing events. After bodybuilding I took on CrossFit and competed Regionally. I’m proud when I look back on the things I’ve done, but I also still feel unfinished. What’s next?
Post written by Corynne Cooper, General Manager at 111 S. Wacker Fitness Center – managed by FFC.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/6.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2021-10-25 08:45:582021-10-25 08:45:58Employee Spotlight: Once A Gymnast, Always A Gymnast by Corynne Cooper
Corynne Cooper is the General Manager of 111 S. Wacker Fitness Center, managed by FFC. In part two of this three-part series, Corynne shares how her career as a gymnast began and the tough love training that accompanies the sport.
As a child, my mother was focused on making sure we were well-rounded in our experiences. From an early age, I was involved in a number of activities – piano lessons, swimming, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball, ballet, and tap dancing. But my sport of choice was gymnastics. In situations where a practice or activity overlapped with gymnastics, gymnastics always won. I would skip any other practice for a chance to do gymnastics.
The story goes, as soon as I took my first steps, I began doing odd flips and jumps, as my mother would call it, around our living room. I turned the couch into a vault by running and launching myself over it, and every curb miraculously became a balance beam. When I knocked over a lamp and broke the glass on the coffee table in our living room, my mother said enough is enough, and she enrolled me in a park district gymnastics program just as I turned two. After about a year at the park district, the instructor pulled my mom aside and told her I was “fearless, oddly strong and gifted,” and she should consider enrolling me in a more structured, results-driven program. My mother did exactly that. She signed me up at a private gym and that began my 20 year gymnastics career.
Once at the private gym, I started taking basic classes one to two times per week as part of the “D team.” Athletes were divided up into A, B, C and D teams, with A being elite and D being beginner. As a youngster, D team practice would end around 4 PM, when the older girls would come in for their practice. I remember asking my mother to pick me up an hour later at 5 PM, after my own practice, so I could stay and watch the older girls on the “A team.” These were the “it” girls who made gymnastics their life. They practiced for 4 hours or more, six days per week, and they either left school early or were homeschooled and competed nationally and even internationally. I hung around their practices for several months and one fateful day, the head coach invited little old me onto the floor to train with the older girls.
After that day, he invited me again…and again…and again. Within just a few months, around age seven or eight, I began training with the coveted “A Team.” Because I was so young, my mother would not allow me to practice six days a week, for four or more hours per day, so she and my coach came up with a plan so I could slowly work my way up to that. The more I trained, the more I fell in love with the sport. There was something about the depth of the sport that kept my attention. The possibilities in regards to skills and choreography were endless. I became obsessed with the daily challenge and felt like each day was a chance to learn something new or perfect something I had been working on.
For the next 10 or so years, I trained – hard – and never stopped. I said goodbye to every other sport, as gymnastics became my sole focus. My father built a balance beam for me on our patio so I could practice, and I spent hours on that homemade beam coming up with dance routines and practicing certain flips. I would have teammates come over and we’d pretend to be Olympic gymnasts, competing in front of millions and winning the prestigious gold medal.Of course, there were times when I wanted to quit the sport, but somehow, I found myself packing my gym bag and limping back into the gym the following day.
My coaches, who defected from Germany to open my gymnastics school, were harsh. Very harsh. Practices were closed, meaning parents were not allowed to watch; we were all alone. Talking back or speaking up if you were injured or ill was a death wish. They made you feel guilty or inadequate for missing practice or for not being able to fully participate for any reason – illness, injury, family travel. Constant yelling and name calling, public weigh-ins, and outrageous punishments for missing a skill were the norm. Your punishment could include hundreds of pushups, multiple rope climbs or being kicked out of practice altogether but not being allowed to call your parents to pick you up so you could leave.
We spent so much time together as a team, traveling to various competitions and skill camps, that my teammates became like my sisters. Oddly enough, one of the main summer camps we went to as a team was at a gym in Michigan and was led by the gym’s head coach, John Geddert. Without diving too far into the topic, John Geddert was implicated in the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal that focused on his long time associate Larry Nassar. Geddert, who was charged with more than 20 criminal charges, committed suicide in February 2021. Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for his crimes. The affected are now pressuring the Senate to hold the FBI accountable for botching this investigation which allowed the abuse to continue. The athletes are also asking for all enablers to be held accountable. This includes coaches and United States Association of Gymnastics (USAG) staff who did not act appropriately when they were told of the abuse.
Just as with these athletes, but on a much smaller scale, my teammates and I were in this battle together. Throughout my time in the sport, I saw many people leave due to injury, eating disorders or because they were unable to deal with the constant criticism and pressure. There were plenty of times when I left the gym firmly believing I would never return. Some days I wanted to quit more than anything. I remember one particular day when my coach basically yelled at me for four hours straight. I couldn’t do anything right and I remember feeling worthless. I wondered why I was in a sport that was so cruel. I remember crying to my mother, begging her to let me quit. Her response? “I already paid for this month’s sessions and that money can’t be wasted.” Let’s get one thing straight, due to my parents scarce upbringing, one thing they surely are not is wasteful. When the next month came about my mother would ask if I wanted to continue and by then I was back in love with the sport.
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/5.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2021-10-19 09:13:462021-10-19 09:13:46Employee Spotlight: Training With The “A” Team by Corynne Cooper
Corynne Cooper is the General Manager of 111 S. Wacker Fitness Center, managed by FFC. In part one of this three-part series, Corynne shares her family’s history and describes how her parents were early supporters of her love of sports.
As a former gymnast and current fitness professional, I have been asked many times about my professional, personal and athletic background. There is no doubt that my participation in sports growing up has shaped who I am today, but my upbringing has played an equally – if not more – important role in the way I live my life.
Both of my parents grew up beyond poor. Unarguably impoverished, to be honest. They grew up in South Carolina during a time when they were given used and outdated textbooks in school, had to sit in the back of the bus or give up their seat to a white passenger, had to use a separate unkempt bathroom and water fountain, and they could only use the back alley door to enter businesses. My father, who loves westerns, would go to the movies with his friends, and they would have to use a back entrance and walk up an old creaky stairwell to make their way to the balcony. The entire theater could be empty, but to the balcony they must go, because African Americans were not allowed to touch the premium floor seats.
My father, along with his mother and father and six siblings, grew up in a happy home, but the living situation was minimal. My paternal grandfather was a janitor by day and factory worker by night, and my paternal grandmother was a cook at a social services facility. They had minimal space, furniture and beds and only certain rooms in the house had lights. They could only eat until their stomachs no longer growled — never truly feeling full, fearing they would run out of food. My father witnessed many days when his parents would not eat dinner to make sure their kids were fed.
My mother grew up in what some refer to as “the projects” – meager accommodations, to say the least. Her mother was a nurse’s aid and also ironed clothes for a white family who owned a farm in Charleston. My mother would make her own clothes and spent most of her days studying, knowing she had no intention of staying in her current situation. She was a straight A student, very inquisitive and very smart, but she most certainly could not afford to go to college. It wasn’t until her Pastor learned she would not be going to college that her life changed. My mother worked at the local church and the Pastor, knowing how smart my mother was and what she had to offer the world, said her mind was too great to waste. He offered to pay for her first year of college.
This was their life. When many around them were settling or struggling to get out of a life of poverty and oppression, they both always knew they wanted so much more. My parents are both first generation high school and college graduates. Neither of their parents (or siblings, except for one brother) even finished high school. My parents met in college, married after graduation (and have now been married for 53 years), rented a small bedroom in someone else’s home and took on teaching jobs in chemistry (father) and biology (mother).
My parents had a total of three children, although I am the only surviving child today. After serving in the Army, my father worked at an industrial gases firm (which is what brought them to Illinois) and became their top salesman. My mother stayed home with us while earning her Master’s degree. Once we were older and in school full-time, she went back to teaching. Both of my parents worked their way through their respective professions and both spent many years working in extremely high-level positions within their organizations. My father retired as a Partner and CFO of his firm and my mother retired as a Chairwoman and Senior District Administrator within the school system.
They provided an amazing life for their children. Every single one of our needs were met, and we had the majority of our wants. I have no clue how they did it, but they did. They moved us to safe neighborhoods without hesitation so we could ride our bikes and play basketball outside without worry. They sent us to amazing schools and stressed the importance of education. They took us on vacations so we had a sense of the different cultures and lifestyles in the world. They took us to church but also taught us about all religions so we were aware, unbiased and could decide on our own how/if we wanted to incorporate religion into our lives. We took music lessons and were taught multicultural appreciation in hearing music from different time periods and cultures.
While enforcing education (yes, “enforcing,” my mother was quite serious about our education), my mother always talked to us about being well-rounded, so she also enrolled us in just about every sport known to man – soccer, baseball/softball, swimming, diving, basketball, volleyball, golf, running, football, tennis, and gymnastics just to name a few! This kept us busy. We had zero time to spend loitering at the mall or skating rink. We also had zero time for relationships with the opposite sex. She wanted us to get good grades and pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, but she also gave us an outlet to exert energy and challenge ourselves physically, not only mentally!
Sports became a massive part of our lives – not only for my brother and me but for my parents as well. Parents, I’m sure you understand – when your child is on a traveling baseball team, for example, it’s a family affair. We had some sporting or music event/practice after school just about every single day and on weekends. By day, my parents were executives and by late afternoon, they became logistically choreographed chauffeurs driving us from practice to practice.
From the time I was 2 to the time I was 21, while running a household and excelling in demanding jobs, my parents did not miss one sporting event or recital. Not one! They were always in attendance no matter where our activities took us, and they were always energetically engaged. My parents were the ones who gave rides home to those whose parents could not attend or waited in the parking lot until the child’s parents arrived. They hosted pre and post game festivities and volunteered for fundraising events whenever possible. Yes, they were “those parents.”
https://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/4.png14002280Sydney Meyerhttps://ffc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Best-Gyms-In-Chicago-2025.pngSydney Meyer2021-10-12 16:42:422021-10-12 16:42:42Employee Spotlight: How My Upbringing Shaped Me by Corynne Cooper
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