Health & Fitness: Hope for the Future of Maplewood

In my adult life, I've lived in a lot of different places. In a former life (I've had a few), I was a thespian. I'd gypsy around, move from gig to gig. My first priority was to find the local gyms, wherever I moved. After that, I was pretty much set. 

Let's just say that when you see those national health and fitness rankings they are valid. Not every community puts the same value on wellness. Here in Maplewood, I feel like we're actually doing pretty well. Just look at the number of businesses that thrive in the industry, and you'll get a good ide—not to mention the two organic grocery stores within reach.

As I raise my kids, I try to instill in them that taking care of yourself is just something that you do. It's part of the routine, a normal part of your day. I wonder often how it will pay off in their futures. 

And I do wonder about the future. I wonder if the generation behind me is driven or entitled. Will they pick up the torch, advance the knowledge we've attained, or just wait for the world to change?

Well, I've recently been introduced to someone who has given me hope.

In the spring, I received a very well-written email from a local girl. Her name is Caroline Cahill. Raised in Maplewood, she attended Lawrenceville School in Princeton. She now resides in Oregon, attending Willamette University. She's become interested in working in the fitness industry and wanted to do a summer internship at THE GYM. That's right, she wanted to spend her summer learning if the major she was pondering was right for her. Interesting. 

My initial reaction was something akin to, "Ugh. How the heck am I gonna fit this in?!" Business has been plenty busy, and I couldn't imagine how it could work. But, boy, was she persistent. Within a week of her return to the area, she was in for an interview. I tried to keep an open mind.

Upon meeting her, I learned that this kid might be interesting to have around. On first glance, I could see that young energy and enthusiasm that can be quite contagious.

Caroline told me that she had attended The Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison after being recruited to row. She made the discovery that many, but not all, athletes find if they attend a major Division I school: If you're there to play the sport, that game is your life. You eat, breath and sleep it. It's what you're there for. What else you get out of the experience is secondary.

When Caroline figured this out, she took the initiative to call a much smaller university and inquire of their interest in her. She knew the demands would be much less, and maybe she would learn more. 

As soon as she told me this, I told her I thought we were gonna get along just fine, and she had the gig.

As the summer has progressed, I've found such immense value in having her around. As many of you who have been working in a job for multiple years might know, many aspects of your job can become instinctual. If made to put into words why you take the actions you do, especially the minute details, it's increasingly difficult. Now, I have this young, eager set of eyes watching all that I do, and it's my job to explain why. In the process, I'm relearning all over again. The whole staff is.  It's wonderful.

I'm slowly bringing Caroline along, giving her more responsibilities to "show her chops," probably a lot more slowly than she needs. She's taught a couple group fitness classes. She's going to do a few sessions with current clients. She has exceeded expectations every time. 

Now mind you, this is an unpaid internship. Caroline cannot be paid: it would be a violation of NCAA regulations. So she picked up another job at the Maple Leaf Diner waiting tables. Nineteen-years-old with two jobs. Yeah, I think we're going to be just fine.

Let's just hope she sticks around Maplewood.

Tim Reynolds is the owner/operator of THE GYM ON SPRINGFIELD, a personal training studio in its third year on Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.  He lives in Maplewood with his wife, Suzanne, and their two children August and Sinikka.