Lisa has taught group fitness classes for over 20 years including: Circuit, Spin, Kickboxing, Yoga, and Pilates, but her love has always been teaching seniors. She explains, “My mother suffered a stroke, and my father had passed away. So, when I visited my mother at the nursing facility, I wanted to interact more with her and her
friends, who suffered from Dementia and Alzheimer’s. I began working with them in a program called Group Memory Care that I expanded, which included music and songs from their era. Although, some of the people could not remember their children or their names, when the music came on, they sang every word to Broadway musicals and songs from “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins” like “Do a Deer,” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.” When they sang songs like “Edelweiss,” tears would often emerge as they would go back to the very moments and memories that the song brought up. It showed me how much music is a presence in our lives. It resonates with them. It’s not just teaching senior classes, it’s interacting and being with seniors that keeps me balanced.”
Lisa is the type of person who appreciates life, and a major life experience made her appreciate seniors and those with memory problems even more.
In 2002, Lisa was the victim of a tragic hit-and-run motorcycle accident in which she was a passenger. She sustained serious injury and was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, resulting in her being in a coma and on life support. Yet, she amazingly emerged from the coma; however, she did not recognize her family and had to relearn everything. She spent 2 months in BIRC, the Brain Injury Rehab Unit, and neurologists and doctors said that she would never be able to be left alone.
Nevertheless, Lisa’s positive attitude kept her going. She says, “I was determined. I don’t let anything keep me down. After approximately a year of rehab, I began driving again and teaching classes. Although, I still can’t smell or taste very well, I studied and earned my own motorcycle license and am driving myself. That experience was valuable. It helped me, and I learned that I don’t need to be leading an exercise class to help seniors. Simple acts of kindness like lifting a bag of groceries or helping an older person get in or out of a car keeps me balanced.”
Lisa joined the Kev’s Gym team in May of 2021 and serves our clients in Orlando, FL. Her classes focus on balance, strength and cardio fitness, and are all set to upbeat/energetic music to create a fun and lively atmosphere for all of her class participants. Lisa has been praised for her focus to make her classes fun, while encouraging everyone to achieve their best health goals. Lisa’s goal is to put a smile on everyone’s face and have them look forward to their next class!
Want to book an appointment with Lisa? Click here!
Credentials
Silver Sneakers
Group Exercise Certificate
Parkinson’s Cycling Coach
Water In Motion