Hello Danielle,
With this letter I want to express how thankful I am for what you did with this fitness program for a lot of employees at Stewart Filmscreen. I am talking specifically about the lunchtime walk that you started.
The engineering department, as a whole, usually stays at their desks. You will rarely see us outside at the tables for a snack or lunch, not to mention a walk or some other activity. That was the culture before and we just adapted to it.
In my five years with the company, I ran or walked around the block a few times and a few times I walked to the nearby fast food restaurants. Each time I felt awkward walking alone on the sidewalks. Jogging looks even worst.
A few months ago I discovered that some of my colleagues from production were jogging every day. It was difficult for me at the beginning to leave the office at 12:00pm sharp to join them. I had excuses for every day of the week (forgot my running shoes, shorts, t-shirt, I am sweaty after the run, where to change, the meeting took longer … to name a few). Not any more.
For the last two months I missed only one run. That is more than 60 miles running total. If somebody had told me before that in two months I will cover 60 miles running I would laugh at them, but little by little it adds up.
The most difficult part is to get away from my desk. There is always, always something to be done. But we have to keep a balance, as much as we can, between work and health. It is easy to say, a little more difficult to do it.
What the benefits are for me, from this 15 minute lunch run:
I feel great after the run. My lungs get fresh air, my head gets fresh blood, my eyes are relaxed, my, excuse me, “behind" is not sore, and my mood is happier. It is a brand new day after that.
You, and most of the people that run, jog or walk know what I am talking about. A few days ago I was walking into the lunch room after the run and a colleague of mine asked me in a friendly way: “What are you laughing at? What is so funny?” There was nothing, absolutely nothing, I just had a smile on my face without even realizing it. Considering the extra stress due to the tough economic times, these days that is quite an achievement.
I feel that I am more productive, more concentrated, more creative and more patient.
I was pretty healthy before, but now I think chances are even better that I can keep the lower back and right hand wrist pain at bay. I was at a lecture at Little Company of Mary years ago regarding lower back pain and the doctor said something in the lines of: “…look folks, your spine was designed to chase food and was good at that for thousands of years. It was not meant to be stuck on a chair for years. What do you expect?...”.
I consider this program as a perk or benefit. The same way as my health, or 401K benefits.
I believe that all of the above is valid for the rest that participate, and the benefits are mutual – for us and for the company.
Thanks to the individuals within the company that initiated this program and contacted you, or the other way around. I don’t know how it started, but it is great.
Simeon Petrov 2009
Stewart Filmscreen
Torrance, California
See
article in South Bay Health Magazine
When
a good friend referred me to Danielle I thought I’d
be getting a personal trainer to help me shape up and lose
weight. What
I got instead, as a result of Danielle’s life coaching
skills and her personal integrity, was a health coach,
and it has transformed my life.
When
we met I had just completed two months of chemotherapy, had
gained weight and was depressed and worried. I was going
through a difficult divorce, and I was focused on all that
had gone wrong in my life.
Danielle
began helping me refocus my attention and energy on getting
healthy, body, mind and soul. By re-evaluated the way
I was living, I began to realize that I was wasting time and
energy, and how much I had to gain by focusing on the positive
healthy aspects of my life.
Danielle
gave me encouragement, she helped me make difficult decisions
that I was leaving unresolved, and she sent me help sheets
to spur my progress to a better quality life. She trusted
I would be true to myself, figure out what I needed, live
in integrity, and honor myself and those around me.
Today
I am a different person, a lot happier and positive. I
look forward to getting up in the morning. I eat differently,
I shop differently, I have a radiant smile and a can do point
of view that makes everything a lot smoother. I’ve
learned to say “no”, and set boundaries that protect
my health and my self-esteem. I have reconnected with
my children in a way I never expected. It is truly a
miracle and it can happen in anyone’s life.
I
still have a long way to go and I’m still working on
self-care. But I am hopeful and enjoy everyday and value
all that is here, now that I can see it.
I
cannot begin to thank Danielle enough for the powerful impact
she has made in my life, and by association the lives of my
children and family. I do not hesitate to recommend Danielle
to anyone who needs a safe, intelligent, deep thinking coach
to help navigate the rough waters. She has what it takes.
Barbara
K Robinson
Hermosa
Beach, California
A few years ago my life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following several surgeries, six months of chemotherapy and seven weeks of daily radiation treatments, I was left physically depleted, mentally exhausted and emotionally fragile. I had my work cut out for me. I knew I would have to rebuild myself - body, mind and spirit.
Danielle came into my life when I needed her most. In the process of working with her, I discovered so much about myself. Step by step, Danielle guided me through the process of becoming a “whole person”. She helped me recognize how important personal accountability is to self-renewal.
Danielle’s professionalism and genuine concern for my well being encouraged me to realize that everyday is an opportunity to begin anew, make better choices and take control of my life. I am grateful to have had Danielle as my life coach.
Mary Weinberg
Palos Verdes, California
I met Danielle about 9 years ago. At that time, she worked as a master personal trainer at a gym located not far from where we live. Shortly after joining the gym, I was diagnosed with the early stage of Parkinson’s Disease. My neurologist was strongly oriented to treat the disease with medication, accompanied by a strong exercise program. The main focus of the exercise program was to
Furthermore, as seniors are prone to have multiple health problems, and I was no exception, Danielle designed a set of exercises specifically aimed at compensating for the effects of PD, as well as considering my other limitations.
The exercise plan was reviewed with Danielle regularily and appropriate changes were made to stimulate my body, as well as my interest. I regained range of motion in my shoulders and the PD stabilized. I was a happy camper. My neurologist, and my family were also pleased. An unexpected benefit of the exercise was my cholesterol numbers - all got in the normal range. This exercise program continued through August 2007.
Then the Parkinson’s Disease struck! This caused serious rigidity, stability and stamina problems. The extent of the disease’s effects and the rapidity of onset made it a major challenge to implement a program that maximizes capabilities against rapidly declining abilities.
With our neurologist’s urging, we set up a gym at home and arranged for Danielle to work with me me at home. Setting up a home gym can be complicated, expensive and take a long time. We have a treadmill. But the rest of the gym is made up of simple, inexpensive items that while not glitzy do the job. We have been in this mode since Oct 07. Danielle comes to our home twice a week (for an hour each time); with me doing a day a week of self-directed exercise. Emphasis is being placed on unfreezing the rigidity episodes and re-learning balance.
Danielle does very well in a complex environment of sorting out constructive action from conflicting chaos. She quickly identifies what the block is and rapidly applies corrective action.
When I have a freeze problem, she’ll try every avenue of attack to solve it. She is able to be effective because she understands the muscles, their impact on the rest of the body and how her clients react to this. She doesn’t let backsliding* get her or her clients down. Danielle’s behavior is highly professional and at the same time friendly. She is very prompt, but at the same time readily works schedule conflicts. She is trustworthy – I‘m pleased to have her in my home.
Summary. I don’t know the detailed future impact of the Parkinson’s Disease, but I know I’ve got the right team working it. I ask them to give me the best capability they can, given the PD damage. Make no mistake - Parkinson’s Disease is a tough foe. Danielle gives me the best ability to successfully fight it.
*Backsliding - one month you attain a capability and a month later it's gone.
June 2008
Fred Kaufman
Rancho Palos Verdes. California
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