Page 31 - February Sun Rays

FITNESS

Athlete of the Month By Michelle Dwyer

Kay Cassidy will tell you that she is not a morning person. Kay Cassidy

But that hadn’t stopped Kay from attending morning fitness Personal Trainer: Michelle Dwyer
classes routinely. For years, she had been faithfully committed to
group fitness. This didn’t change when she moved to Sun City in Kay will tell you that there are times she would rather stay home
2009—until a knee injury forced her to see an orthopedic doctor. than work out. But part of the discipline of having a trainer is that
you show up, no matter what. “I feel good following an exercise
“He recommended I not participate for 90 days in activities that routine, and it motivates me to continue. I know myself well
could aggravate my knee,” Kay recalls. enough to realize I need the discipline of a trainer to help me.”
This retired administrative professional, who was born and raised
The challenges of having to limit her exercise routines caused in Ashland, Kentucky, is stronger now that she’s ever been, and
Kay to turn away from exercise. She’d tried to get back into it she feels great. “Residents are so fortunate to have these two
(walking three miles daily), but soon found herself stopping that fitness centers at Sun City.”
too. “It was too easy for me to linger at home,” she says. Michelle reinforces this sentiment and encourages others to follow
Kay’s lead. “Words can’t express how a personal trainer can help a
Then one day, a neighbor told Kay about her positive experiences client. While it’s up to the clients to do the work, personal trainers
working with a personal trainer at the Sun City Fitness Center. hold clients accountable, push clients to the absolute limit, but
This neighbor said she was feeling great and was losing weight we do it safely. Remarkable results come from remarkable effort.
while sticking to her training regimen. This interaction prompted Kay is a prime example.”
Kay to get more information about personal training. In the end, Michelle credits her connection to Kay to more than
a meeting at the gym. “Like Kay, my father was also born and
After attending a personal training tutorial presented by John raised in Ashland, Kentucky. Perhaps this small world brought
Rutan, fitness coordinator, Kay was introduced to Michelle Dwyer, us together for a reason.”
who would become Kay’s certified personal trainer for the next
18 months. FEBRUARY 2017 SUNRAYS | 29

“We instantly connected,” Kay says.

Now, Kay Cassidy, the avid gardener who is 77 years young, no
longer needs blood pressure medication and has seen a marked
increase in her strength, particularly in her lower body. She
credits this improvement to personal training.

And Michelle agrees. “When Kay first came to me, she wanted to
build strength and feel a sense of general wellness and stamina.
And she’s achieved that.”

For Michelle, these training sessions have developed into a strong
bond and a sense of camaraderie. She works with Kay twice a
week, determined to hit every muscle group while picking Kay’s
brain about the ups and downs of life. “When you work with
someone for so long, they become a part of your life,” Michelle says
fondly. “It’s wonderful to see the progress Kay has made and will
continue to make over the course of training. Her commitment
to her physical health is easily seen in her efforts.”

Michelle Dwyer

Personal Trainer
Certifications
National Academy of Sports Medicine:
– Certified Personal Trainer
– Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist
– Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
– Certified Weight Management Specialist
Master of Business Administration, Texas A&M University,
Central Texas
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, National University,
La Jolla, California

ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG