Charlene “Ma”
BACK THEN…TO TODAY!
MAY 26, 2020
IT ALL STARTED WITH JACK
I began my fitness journey at 29 when I trained and began teaching fitness classes for the recreation department. That was the “official” start to my fitness journey, but in reality it began long before when I was just a toddler. I remember getting on the floor with my mom and exercising to a popular morning fitness show called Jack LaLanne. I continued to exercise with Jack after my first and second babies were born. Now if you don’t know who Jack is then look him up, because you are probably younger than my four kids! I taught aerobics classes for many years through my 3rd and 4th pregnancies and beyond, all through the days of Jane Fonda, leg warmers, big hair, and Footloose! Jack came into my life once again when the very first Jack LaLanne fitness gyms opened…the precursor to modern gyms of today. Jack’s gyms put an end to my aerobics classes and, although I continued teaching other recreation classes, I had to continue my fitness journey on my own time at the local gym…all because of Jack.
FROM JACK TO JACKIE
After several years, many life-challenges, and many grandchildren, I never stopped exercising. I brought bands and weights to the hospital when my daughter was undergoing chemo, I walked stairs whenever I traveled, and I continued to hit the gym as often as possible. You could say that I have always been extremely active and health-minded. The problem was even though I was motivated, the older I got the harder it was to challenge myself. I did bodyworks, treadmills, stationary bikes, and spin classes but nothing really motivated me. I also tried small group-workout gyms (which I will not name) and almost died trying to keep up with all the local firemen there…although watching hot, sweaty firemen was a teeny bit motivating!!! What I really was looking for was a safe workout that challenged me, didn’t injure me, and kept me coming back for more. My search seemed fruitless…until I found Jackie
JOURNEY WITH JACKIE
Truth is I cannot take credit for finding Jackie, it was my daughter Mary who brought us together. Mary had just completed four years of chemo treatment for Leukemia, and had just suffered a pregnancy loss when she began looking for some way to get her strength back…both physically and mentally. She stumbled upon one of Jackie’s 3-week challenges and dragged me, my daughter Sarah, and my daughter-in-law Tanya there to join the challenge with her. The whole family began exercising our little hearts out together with Jackie, and it was an answer to prayer!!! So if you ever wonder why Jackie calls me “Ma” and I don’t look Asian…now you know why.
JACKIE JUNKIES
That was over three years ago, 4 more grandbabies (5 including Savvy), plus a pandemic and isolation that has tried to take us down! Even my youngest daughter Dominica has joined the Jackie Junkies as we forge along on our daily Zoom workouts. Jackie challenges me to bigger and better things, motivates me to never give up, and yet she is sensitive to my personal needs. Jackie is more than a fitness coach, she’s a life-fitness coach! Her approach positively affects mind, body, and soul…focusing on inner strength while building confidence and keeping us committed and accountable! I have never been stronger and more energetic, and this 66-year old gramma is a testament to the benefit of being a “Jackie Junkie”. I can hear her now saying “Come on Ma…you can do one more!”, and I always do!!! Thank you Jackie for keeping me focused, and making my body stronger than I ever thought I could be! My frail mother was my motivation, my daughter who suffers from chemo trauma is my inspiration, and Jackie is my navigation to a healthier-happier-stronger me!
My life-motto has always been “Don’t ever stop exercising…it’s money in the bank”. Dang! I must be rich!!!