Category: Personal Y Stories

Opportunities to Grow: The Dowd’s Story

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

John and his wife Greta, both born and raised in Oconomowoc, are parents to three children: Alan (10), and twins Nolan and Clara (8).  John’s earliest childhood memories of the YMCA were playing sports and going swimming at the old facility on Silver Lake Street.  He says, “I have great memories of my time at the YMCA as a child.  Now as an adult and raising our children in Oconomowoc, it was only natural for us to join the YMCA and participate in the many wonderful programs they offer families!”

Over the last decade, John and Greta have been very involved in their kids’ activities at the Y.  The children began with swimming lessons at an early age, progressed to getting involved in many youth sports, and eventually ventured into rock climbing.  John and Greta share, “Participating in youth sports programs helps our children develop foundational, physical and social skills as well as learn teamwork.  They each have the opportunity to grow as individuals and explore their areas of interest in a caring environment.”  Thanks to the patience and encouragement of the rock climbing staff, they have seen their kids believe they can accomplish a difficult task over time.

The Y has also provided John with opportunities to volunteer as a coach.  Expressing his strong belief in serving others, John shares, “Coaching has been an ideal way to pay it forward to my hometown.”  At every practice and at every game, John strives to develop a strong team that supports one another, listens to each other, and has fun playing the game together.  He has enjoyed seeing the children develop as players and teammates over time.  John reflects on his youth sports days as “Positive experiences and some of my favorite childhood memories.  I hope the same for the children I’ve had the privilege to coach.”

John and Greta appreciate that through the Y, “All children are encouraged to keep trying, support one another, and know they belong in a caring, respectful community.”

“All children are encouraged to keep trying, support one another, and know they belong in a caring, respectful community.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Discovering a Passion: Greg’s Story

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Greg had long contemplated joining a gym to enhance his muscle strength and flexibility. When the Y opened just down the road, he thought this would be a great opportunity to pursue these goals and explore what the Y had to offer. He quickly came to see that it is “a bunch of friendly people working toward their own well-being as well as the community’s health”.

He was immediately drawn to the Qi Gong class, having always wanted to learn about Chinese cooking. Imagine his surprise when the instructor asked everyone to take off their shoes and socks and start waving their arms all over! However, Greg’s mantra is always to “keep an open mind” and by the end of the class, he felt good and decided to keep attending.

Qi Gong soon became Greg’s passion. It not only helped his balance, flexibility, and muscle tone but also unexpectedly sharpened his mental acuity through the challenge of memorizing intricate movements and forms.

He recently decided to share his passion by becoming an instructor. His biggest fear was that he wouldn’t have the bandwidth to complete all the necessary training. He quipped, “Turns out I had the bandwidth, but our internet didn’t, and that made all the e-learning more difficult, but still doable”. In the end, though he says “All the training and learning to become an instructor has been very useful in understanding fitness better”. Knowing the ‘why’ behind the exercises enabled him to master the ‘what’ and ‘how’ more effectively.

The Y has transformed his life in several positive ways. His flexibility and balance have greatly improved, and he’s enjoyed meeting wonderful people, both members and staff. Exploring the diverse equipment and facilities has been exciting for him. His favorite machine, the treadmill, allows him to practice various agility moves such as side steps, skipping, Karate blocks and punches, Nordic skiing technique, slow motion walking, and upper body form movements, all while enjoying a great HIIT workout. He’s discovered that the Y’s base of knowledge and learning is far broader than he ever imagined.

Reflecting on his experience, Greg expressed gratitude for the Y’s role in his life, both as a member and now as an instructor. “It’s been a very good experience physically and mentally.”

“All the training and learning to become an instructor has been very useful in understanding fitness better”

Greg has diverse training in Tae Kwon Do, Nordic skiing instruction, and both flatwater and whitewater canoeing and kayaking. His athletic achievements include participating in seven Birkies (a 55K ski race), finishing seventh in the challenging three-day Classique Internationale de Canots, achieving second place in the Molokai Hoe (a six-man world championship Hawaiian outrigger canoe race), and securing second place in the World Champion Dragon Boat races in Hong Kong. Additionally, he has competed in various triathlons and other competitive events.

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Investing in Health: The Corporate Membership Program

Posted on by Kate Haslar

June is Employee Wellbeing Month, highlighting the importance of employee health and wellbeing in all areas of life. The Glacial Community YMCA partners with over 20 local businesses in the area through the Corporate Membership Program. This initiative enables employers to invest in their employees’ memberships, with the Y matching their contributions, supporting employee retention, enhancing well-being, and creating workplace wellness opportunities.

In Watertown, one of our YMCA’s valued local partners is Grinwald Ford. John Grinwald, the company’s president, emphasizes the importance of longevity among his staff and is dedicated to supporting both his employees and their families. After John experienced a heart attack in December, his appreciation for the importance of exercising at every stage of life only grew. He is grateful for the YMCA’s role in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals, stating, “Health is the best investment you can make in life!”

John fondly recalls encouraging his son to shoot baskets with him and getting the entire family involved in physical activities at a young age. He believes that when employees are active with their families, it sets a foundation for a lifelong commitment to health and wellness. “It’s about families working out together and staying active and healthy,” John emphasizes.

John’s nephew, Andrew, works alongside him at Grinwald Ford and has seen this in his own life, noting that “involving our kids in the YMCA at a young age has fostered an active, mindful lifestyle which can benefit them their whole lives.” Andrew appreciates the YMCA’s broad range of programs that support working families, saying, “The least we can do is pass along this opportunity for our employees and their families to engage with what our local YMCA offers.”

By investing in their workforce and the YMCA, employers can strengthen families and show their commitment to employee health and wellness. Together, we can build a healthier, happier workforce and a vibrant local economy.

"Health is the best investment you can make in life!"

To learn more about how you or your employer can participate, visit our website. 

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Blessed by Community: Callie’s Story

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

Callie and her husband moved to Oconomowoc in 2016 and joined the Y, which is just across the street from them. Callie quickly discovered the warmth and friendliness extended by the staff, instructors, and members.

Group classes are her preferred way to stay active and she appreciates the opportunity to mix up her routine throughout the week. Among her favorites are Barre or Tone with Jessica-“she brings so much energy and fun to a class!”. Another favorite is Aqua Boogie, a fun and dynamic aquatic workout. Callie says, “The instructors at the Y are great and offer optional movements depending on your level of ability”.

In a recent nutrition workshop she attended, she learned tips for satisfying yet healthy snacks, like Triscuits paired with cheese sticks, or a serving of yogurt. Since then, these options have become go-to solutions for those mid-day hunger pangs. Additionally, she attended a class on peri-menopause and menopause, not for herself, but to gather insights to share with her daughter and daughter-in-law. She values the knowledgeable staff that has benefitted her and her family.

Callie says she is also “blessed with many friends at the Y who care about each other and our families.” Beyond the Y’s walls, these friendships have grown into special traditions and gatherings. There’s the monthly exchange of funny birthday cards with her “pool” friends. Small groups of her “land” friends get together for lunch every few months, just to catch up. Another friend loves to host, so a group gets together at Christmastime in her home. A couple of friends have pontoon boats and they go out on the lake with snacks to share.

In this Y community, she’s found not only ways to keep her body moving but also people who encourage and support her. Callie says “Because of the Y I feel good about myself physically, mentally, and emotionally”.

Callie (in white) with friends from a class

“Because of the Y I feel good about myself physically, mentally, and emotionally”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Strengthening Family Bonds at the Y

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Rose, daughter Dawn, and granddaughter Stephanie enjoy staying strong physically and bonding as a family at the Y. They are regulars at Monday morning Zumba where at 84, Rose is one of the oldest participants. Afterward, they go for a post-workout tradition: coffee and breakfast.

Initially, Stephanie got Rose and Dawn into Zumba with guest passes, but it wasn’t long before they were hooked and joined the Y. Rose recalls the first time she did Zumba. It was tough, but they persevered. Dawn attributes this to the fact that “We keep each other accountable and encourage each other to keep fighting for our goals”.

In addition to classes, Stephanie has been using the EGYM and getting stronger. Her dedication has paid off with less inflammation and lower back pain as well as a sense of well-being. She acknowledges the physical and mental benefits of exercise, “Working out is good medicine for when I’m anxious about something”.

Several years ago, Rose’s husband passed away. Her daughter Dawn says how proud he would be of Rose for her determination to keep moving forward. Both Dawn and Stephanie look to Rose’s faith and resilience as inspiration. Together they have found community at the Y, where shared values and friendly faces make it feel like home.

For Rose, Dawn, and Stephanie, the Y isn’t just a place to exercise—it is a place to thrive, to connect, and to find strength in each other.

“We keep each other accountable and encourage each other to keep fighting for our goals”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Finding Hope Again: Lori’s Story

Posted on by Kate Haslar
Lori on EGYM

Since COVID-19, Lori has been unable to find a secure job. In late 2023, she was unexpectedly laid off and felt she had lost hope. Stuck in a rut with no job or place to go during the day and not knowing anyone in Watertown, she knew something had to change.

She had been contemplating a Y membership but was concerned about the cost. Not used to being the one needing help, one day she stumbled across the link to apply for financial assistance. She was approved and from there was “catapulted into all these connections and positive influences.”

Lori says the Y has changed her life mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. She started playing pickleball and found the blessing of friends in her same age bracket. This month, Lori completed her first EGYM workout program. She says, “Even in the first week, I could tell it was changing my strength level. I am standing up straighter and feeling taller”.

While working out at the Ehlinger Center one day, she was overjoyed to see people with disabilities exercising through the Fitness Friends program. She is excited to start volunteering with the program and giving back after being blessed herself.

Lori is so grateful to the Y for providing the opportunity to become a member. She says, “The Y picked me up and gave me hope again.”

“The Y picked me up and gave me hope again.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Journey to a Healthier Lifestyle: Tim’s Story

Posted on by Kate Haslar
Family

After Tim had spent years traveling for work and eating on the road, he realized that he wanted to make some serious changes in his life. He changed jobs and decided that he wanted a whole new lifestyle with health as the main focus.

Tim not only wanted to feel better, but also set an example of health for his children. Tim, his wife, and two children started going to the Y daily, doing anything from trying new classes, weight training, cardio, or just playing basketball with the kids. It did not take long for Tim to set higher goals for himself. He wanted to become stronger, faster, and build stamina. Tim began going to the gym two times a day for 5 months straight, along with running to and from the Y from home. He not only started to see extreme weight loss of 70lbs, but also a muscle transformation. He was gaining muscles, strength, endurance, and a super positive attitude. Tim is now down over 100lbs, running 5Ks, and the Y has become his second home.

Tim encourages, “Give yourself a year and it’s a life changer. The Y staff are friendly and the members are good. Because of the Y, everyone in our family is active.”

“Give yourself a year and it's a life changer. The Y staff are friendly and the members are good. Because of the Y, everyone in our family is active.”

Tim’s favorite classes are TRX and MX4. He enjoys finishing his workout with the sauna and truly feels like it helped with his overall journey. 

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Member Highlight: Sean Daley

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar
Member Highlight: Sean

When Sean first joined the Watertown Area YMCA in 2015, he had a great first impression. Now he’ll tell you he has an even more elevated impression that “stemmed from participating in fitness classes which I didn’t know I needed or wanted when I had initially joined. More specifically, the trainers and instructors – they are dynamite!”

In 2023, Sean had emergency back surgery after suffering severe pain since an injury as a teen. He had to relearn how to walk, taking daily walks around his property to get stronger. As soon as he could, he came to the weight room, not to work out yet, but to see his Y friends, who had been concerned about him.

He is back now on a regular basis, with lifting restrictions of 20 pounds, which is teaching him patience, to say the least! He has been known to have conversations with members about the Packers and once had to do 50 push ups because he lost a bet.

He says “I value how much is added to my day each time I go to the Y. I look forward to seeing the friends that I have there and the equipment itself – I love it!”

“I value how much is added to my day each time I go to the Y. I look forward to seeing the friends that I have there and the equipment itself – I love it!”

Sean enjoys weightlifting, cardio, Moi Cycle, Les Mills BodyPump, Core and BodyBalance as well as making sure he stretches when he is done with his workouts.

We’d love to hear your Y story!

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Living Blessed

Posted on by Heather Burkle

We lost one of our heroes at the Y. Roy Benford, aka Chako to many, lost his battle to cancer in early January, 2024. Chako was a regular in the YMCA at Pabst Farms branch and always brought a positive outlook on life when he visited. To our staff in the wellness center, Chako was family. And when a team of Y staff visited him in the hospital a few weeks ago, he introduced them to his biological family, saying “this is my YMCA family.” It was quite the bond, built by a mutual love for fitness, health, family and a deep faith.  

Chako had friends at many different levels here in the Y. But his dearest friends were most likely the ladies who would see him first most every day at the west end welcome desk. There was a relationship between them that would precipitate long conversations centered around family and faith as he would enter or leave the facility. Chako was a true encourager to them, and they to him. And that’s how he related to everyone he encountered on every visit. When greeted and asked how he was doing, his standard answer would always be, “I’m blessed.” And he truly lived that way, even after receiving this diagnosis and up to the day he no longer had the strength to visit the Y.  

Chako has left a legacy of love for mankind among many of our members and staff here at the Y. And his shoes are some big ones to fill. Our hope is that his memory will inspire all of us to live our lives in such a way that, in spite of circumstances this life can bring, we can all say, “I’m blessed.” Because we truly are, and Chako has helped us believe that in the way he lived every day. You are our hero, Chako.  

Photo of Roy Benford

Fitness is Better Together

Posted on by Heather Burkle

In September 2022, longtime Y member Cheryl Hoegele-Schlicht was enjoying a weeklong trip to Las Vegas with her adult daughter, Jess. The two ladies realized that they were easily achieving 15k plus steps each day, walking around Vegas. They kept it up every day while on vacation. After they returned home, they decided to continue their daily streak and held each other accountable to working out each day.

After completing 30 days, the next goal was to reach 100 days. 100 days was tough but they did it. Mother and daughter kept on moving! A year later, Cheryl and Jess met their goal of exercising daily for 365 days in a row. They celebrated their one year with a trip back in Vegas, where it all started. It’s now November, and their streak is still going strong, for over 400 days and counting.

Cheryl attends Y group exercise classes to stay motivated in her journey. She enjoys a variety of classes including water aerobics and BodyCombat and she credits her experience in class and the fitness instructors as being very strong contributors to her success. “All the instructors are inspirational. I told a few of them about my goal, which helped me stay accountable. Kathy Wood in particular has been a great support. She gave me an inspirational quote bracelet on Day 100, which kept me motivated on some days where I didn’t feel like exercising.” 

Cheryl has found that classes definitely makes working out more fun; “I’ve made friends in classes that are now my friends outside the Y. Between knowing that there will be people expecting me to come, the great music and the enthusiasm of the teachers, I know I’ll get a challenging & fun workout.”

This kind of commitment doesn’t come easy. Cheryl says there were days where she was busy & didn’t get her workout done until after 10:00pm. But her commitment to herself, to her daughter and her “Y people” kept her going. “Knowing that people at the Y cared about me helped me stay accountable.”

If you’re looking to make exercise part of your regular routine, Cheryl has some advice: “Use the app to look for classes. Don’t be afraid to try something new. The instructors care and are there to help you. List your exercise or classes in your personal calendar as an appointment, so you make it a priority. Even if it’s not 7 days a week – set a goal for yourself. For an added bonus, tell someone that you’re doing it. You will become stronger physically & emotionally, when you prove to yourself that you can do it.”

Our fall group exercise schedule is loaded with opportunities for you to get in a fun workout with friends. If you’re new to group exercise, try an “intro” class before the real class and learn about the format, come early to class and introduce yourself to your instructor or schedule a SMART Start appointment to learn more about classes that would be a good fit for you.

Photo of friends in Vegas