Mike helps Katie reach her goals 

Katie used to be a member of another local gym in Grimsby for 10 years but rarely attended. After giving birth to eleven children, her body needed some self-love and her soul was crying out for some well-deserved recharge time. She needed to climb out from under the weight of being the main caregiver and discover herself again. Something changed when she walked through the doors of the
Niagara West YMCA.

Katie felt the friendly vibe and the atmosphere. Everyone greeted her by name and there was no judgement, just encouragement. She decided to start with the pool. She remembered that she loved swimming as a child, but had become so busy with her family in recent years that she never made the time. Katie then started lane swimming. It was difficult at first, but each week became easier and she loved the time it gave her to tune out of the world and just focus on her strokes. It was meditative and therapeutic.

Upon inquiring about a family membership, Katie was pleased to hear that her children would also receive swimming lessons as part of the monthly fee. Not only was this a big cost saving, it also meant that, in time, her children would be safe at family outings to nearby Lake Ontario. Her husband was not a swimmer and so it was her responsibility to watch over the children in the water. This membership would now allow her to relax and enjoy the family outings.

Katie then began signing up the entire family, including her husband, for swimming lessons and the various programs that the YMCA offered their members. Some of her children tried indoor soccer and basketball, while her pre-teens came out for Youth Action on Friday nights. On Saturdays, she would bribe her younger ones with the Bouncy Castle program that was always waiting after their swimming lessons. Her husband would work-out on the equipment upstairs. The YMCA in Grimsby became their second home.

But something seemed missing as Katie found herself losing motivation again. Since her entire family was there, it no longer felt like an escape. Soon, she found herself finding excuses not to go. That’s when she realized that she needed someone to guide and encourage her.

Katie reached out for a personal trainer at the YMCA. And that’s how she met Mike. He created individual workouts for her, taught her how to use the free weights and machines properly, and pushed her a little more at each session. Mike became Katie’s guide.

Just when things seemed to be going smoothly, all YMCAs across Canada shut down because of the pandemic. Katie’s entire family hunkered down at home, upset. During the lockdown, Mike texted her. He let her know of all the virtual services available on Facebook and the YMCA Canada website and he ensured that the Niagara West YMCA had her correct e-mail so she could receive updates as everything unfolded. Mike encouraged her to stay active.

When the YMCA in Grimsby opened its doors again, Katie was the first to show up, bathing cap in hand. Her children were all at home with virtual schooling and her husband had moved his office home. She needed a break from her family as it had taken a toll on her mental health and she was prepared to take the risk just so she could swim again.

Nervous at first, Katie was thrilled to see all the safety precautions that the YMCA had put in place and she gives the YMCA staff two thumbs up for how “by the book” they are to emphasise protection and well-being. More importantly for her, Katie is simply grateful to jumpstart her personal training again. She texted Mike and they have restarted her program, which she attends once a week. For a busy mom this was super easy and much-needed. Katie feels motivated and rejuvenated and gives all credit to her YMCA.