Success Story - GoodLife Fitness

Jane’s Story
My name is Jane. I am 50 years old and am entering this contest to let others know how much having Sarah as my
personal trainer has changed my life. I got a personal trainer for unusual reasons, which did not include weight
loss. To appreciate and understand what having a personal trainer has done for me you must see where I came from
and how desperate I was for change.
I had an early diagnosis of highly active Rheumatoid Arthritis at 20 years old, and have been on a barrage of
meds, lowering my immune system for 30 years now. Even as this progressed, I became a Registered Nurse with 2
children, and was highly active and fit.
My life was shattered 4 years ago in a boating accident, when a storm came up and under the bow of the boat; a
huge wave threw me to the ceiling, smashing my head. For one year an undiagnosed head injury and two
fractured vertebrae led to misdiagnoses, medication cocktails, 41 Doctors and appointments, shoulder and neck
spasms causing chronic pain, dizziness, headaches, loss of balance, sleep disorder, chronic anxiety, inability to
work, drive or motivate myself to even get up and get ready. I was unable to work in any capacity, could not walk up
stairs normally and was emotionally, physically and mentally worn down and out. The additional drugs lowered my
immune system, and I developed pneumonia and was hospitalized one and half months almost dying, and almost
coming home with home oxygen. The scarring of my left lung left me with 39% lung capacity and put me straight
onto a lung transplant list in Toronto. The spasms in my neck left me having three vials of Botox injected every
three months along with major pain medications.
Two years ago my best friends bought me a membership to try to get me moving, as life consisted of the couch, ice
packs and a lot of crying. When I hadn't even been to the gym in six months, I came in last July 2008 to put my
membership on hold, but after talking to Jamie and Steph that day, with their encouragement and knowledge and
trust I put in them, I left buying a training package of 36 sessions. I needed the hope they offered me.
With Sarah my trainer, we started out building on the goal of strengthening my knees and included increasing
balance, co-ordination, core strength and shoulder strength. We meet two times a week and I go a third time by
myself. The natural progression with Sarah's specialized techniques, took me from going upstairs one step at a time
and ice packs, to never needing ice packs on my knees and using stairs properly and being pain free. She zoned in
on areas specific to me and my needs. I felt stronger, more confident and I had somewhere that I had to be, that was
special just for me. I was out of the house on my own at the gym with my own trainer. I made huge gains
physically, emotionally, mentally and signed up for more sessions. Sarah and I have bonded and feed off each other,
as she feels happy also, for my achievements. My whole body feels wonderful and as an added bonus my body fat %
has decreased from 29.3% at the start and most recently, is 23.9%. I am building lean muscle, have lost 5 1/2
pounds, 2 ½ inches off my waist, and have lost 2 inches off my thighs. I also sleep better now. My Respirologist
has put a hold on the transplant list as my lung capacity has gone from 39% to 59%, which he attributes to my
work at the gym. People even say I look happier, because I am!! I have no flare-ups of Rheumatoid Arthritis and
I just went to my Neurologist for Botox, and was able to have one less vial injected, by eliminating Botox in my
shoulders as the spasms are gone in them. I just bought myself two sessions per week for one year known as 96
sessions with Sarah. I love feeling this way! Sarah and I are a team, and I recommend everyone get a package of
training to learn to use the equipment properly and to set and achieve your goals. My confidence is blossoming
and I am truly changed and happy from this experience I am having!