<b>Hello, everyone.</b> <b>I'm Rameca Vincent Leary, and welcome to</b> <b>this edition of Connecting the Community.</b> <b>Time is precious,</b> <b>and as we know, a day can end</b> <b>before we check everything off that to do</b> <b>list.</b> <b>This can even weigh heavily</b> <b>on our physical well-being.</b> <b>During this show, we'll discuss ways</b> <b>to help you get fit and fabulous.</b> <b>That's right.</b> <b>We'll explore Pensacola Beach yoga</b> <b>and the importance of healthy food</b> <b>alternatives..</b> <b>Plus we'll delve into the many facets</b> <b>of the YMCA of Northwest Florida,</b> <b>including the wonderful programs</b> <b>it has to offer.</b> <b>But first,</b> <b>we'll focus on another form of fitness</b> <b>that's helping many people come back.</b> <b>Pelvic floor issues.</b> <b>To discuss this further,</b> <b>I'm happy to welcome Dr.</b> <b>Justine Roper, owner and founder of</b> <b>In Her Physique Pelvic Floor</b> <b>Therapy and Wellness.</b> <b>She's joined by occupational therapist</b> <b>Rachel Brenton</b> <b>and a certified occupational therapist,</b> <b>assistant Misty Tipton.</b> <b>Plus, it's a pleasure to welcome Michelle</b> <b>Byrd, a patient at In Her physique.</b> <b>Pelvic floor therapy and wellness.</b> <b>Welcome to all of you.</b> <b>Thank you for having me.</b> <b>Well, Dr.</b> <b>Roper, first of all, let's start with you.</b> <b>I think our viewers need</b> <b>to have an understand of what pelvic floor</b> <b>issues are</b> <b>and who can be impacted by them.</b> <b>So why don't you define that for us?

Sure.</b> <b>Everybody has a pelvic floor.</b> <b>It's your internal pelvic floor</b> <b>muscles.

Right.</b> <b>And so when we talk about pelvic floor</b> <b>dysfunction,</b> <b>I like to break it up into three</b> <b>main categories</b> <b>bladder and bowel conditions,</b> <b>pelvic pain and miscellaneous.</b> <b>And that could be like pregnancy</b> <b>related issues, sexual dysfunction.</b> <b>Right.</b> <b>And there's tons of diagnoses</b> <b>and tons of symptoms</b> <b>that fall under those categories.</b> <b>Since we all have a public floor,</b> <b>nobody's safe.</b> <b>No, I agree with you.</b> <b>And what we're really going to elaborate</b> <b>a lot on those issues</b> <b>that you talked about momentarily.</b> <b>But let's talk about the</b> <b>origins of your business and a little bit</b> <b>more about you, your background.</b> <b>So I was born</b> <b>and raised here in Pensacola, Florida.</b> <b>I like to say that</b> <b>pelvic floor therapy fell into my lap.</b> <b>I just needed a clinical rotation</b> <b>to get out of physical therapy.</b> <b>And I show it the first day</b> <b>and it's, you know, way different</b> <b>than what I signed up for.</b> <b>Pelvic exams, all of these</b> <b>intensive things about some of the things</b> <b>I just discussed that we treat</b> <b>and I couldn't find a job in.</b> <b>It's not a lot of us</b> <b>in comparison to traditional orthopedic,</b> <b>physical therapies.</b> <b>Okay.</b> <b>And my husband,</b> <b>he pushed me to open my own practice</b> <b>because it's such a need</b> <b>and I wanted to do it my way.</b> <b>And so in</b> <b>her physique was birthed out of that.</b> <b>And how long ago was that?</b> <b>Was that in 2000, 18, 2018?</b> <b>So we're up into year five now.</b> <b>And where are you located specifically?</b> <b>Airport Boulevard, directly next to Barnes</b> <b>Noble Bookstore here locally in Pensacola.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>And you're pretty close to us</b> <b>right here in the U.S..</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>Well, Rachel, I love your smile.</b> <b>I'm feeling it right over here.</b> <b>So tell us how occupational therapy fits</b> <b>into the pelvic floor therapy world.</b> <b>Get that question a lot, actually.</b> <b>And the origins of O.T.</b> <b>come from daily life skills,</b> <b>along with mental health background.</b> <b>So getting people</b> <b>not only back to what they want to do,</b> <b>but living this quality of life is key.</b> <b>So bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction</b> <b>fits so largely into that.</b> <b>Anybody who has deficits in those areas</b> <b>knows exactly how much that impacts</b> <b>their day to day life.</b> <b>Even just getting out of the house</b> <b>and having to change your outfit</b> <b>multiple times, your relationship</b> <b>with other people.</b> <b>There's so many ways it impacts you</b> <b>and especially pain and you sort of pelvic</b> <b>pain, kind of immerses itself</b> <b>into every aspect of your life.</b> <b>And how were you introduced to Dr.</b> <b>Roper coming into her world, Right?</b> <b>Yeah, I had my own pelvic floor issues</b> <b>and I kind of wanted to explore</b> <b>educating all of those.</b> <b>I was very interested in helping people</b> <b>in such a vulnerable situation</b> <b>that they've been in.</b> <b>I've been there myself.</b> <b>And so trying to look</b> <b>for more education, people</b> <b>I can connect with,</b> <b>and especially women owned businesses,</b> <b>and just seeing billboards,</b> <b>hearing her name in circles.</b> <b>And I honestly just reached out and said</b> <b>it, can I like, can I meet you?</b> <b>And honestly, I wanted a connection.</b> <b>And she said,</b> <b>come on, can come be with me.</b> <b>Come see how this works.</b> <b>In the longer I kind of hung out,</b> <b>all of a sudden I got a job offer</b> <b>before I knew it,</b> <b>and we spent a lot of time together.</b> <b>Teamwork makes that dream work for her.</b> <b>And I'll be back with you in</b> <b>just a moment.</b> <b>So, Misty and I know that you're</b> <b>a certified occupational therapist</b> <b>assistant.</b> <b>What are your favorite things</b> <b>to treat in relation to helping others?</b> <b>Thank you for asking.

You're welcome.</b> <b>The dysfunctions related to the bladder</b> <b>so stress, incontinence or leakage</b> <b>and then also overactive bladder</b> <b>are some of my favorite.</b> <b>Those hit very close to home.</b> <b>I've had three children and I found pelvic</b> <b>floor therapy when I was at an all time</b> <b>low, feeling depressed that I couldn't do</b> <b>the things that I wanted to do</b> <b>in daily life without feeling</b> <b>the effects of bladder dysfunction.</b> <b>So I started</b> <b>finding things that helped</b> <b>me personally, and now I'm able</b> <b>to implement those for my patients.</b> <b>And so I just feel very connected</b> <b>with my patients to be able to help them</b> <b>achieve the same amount of confidence</b> <b>and return to activities as I do.</b> <b>Honestly, Misty,</b> <b>incontinence is such a big issue.</b> <b>It can really inhibit people's</b> <b>daily lives.</b> <b>Will you elaborate a little bit</b> <b>more on that?

Sure.</b> <b>So in terms of bladder incontinence,</b> <b>what we hear</b> <b>a lot is changing of clothing.</b> <b>Sneezing, coughing, laughing.</b> <b>That can happen to anyone, anywhere.</b> <b>And if there's any type of dysfunction</b> <b>in that bladder,</b> <b>think about having to keep close with you</b> <b>in your backpack.</b> <b>Right.</b> <b>Or not wanting to go to the gym</b> <b>because you have bladder leakage.</b> <b>And so I love that</b> <b>we're able to help address some of those</b> <b>and help women return to their confidence.</b> <b>Have you ever met a person that said</b> <b>that they were embarrassed and didn't feel</b> <b>as if there could be</b> <b>any kind of assistance provided for them?</b> <b>Absolutely.</b> <b>We hear that from every patient</b> <b>that walks through our door.</b> <b>And and like I said,</b> <b>I can definitely relate.</b> <b>It's it's such a wonderful feeling,</b> <b>knowing that there is a group of women</b> <b>in a safe place that you can go</b> <b>to talk about your feelings</b> <b>and your concerns about your own body,</b> <b>and then to also get some help to address</b> <b>that.</b> <b>That's awesome.</b> <b>Speaking of patients, Michelle,</b> <b>hello over there.</b> <b>Did you know much about pelvic floor</b> <b>therapy before you became a patient of Dr.</b> <b>Roper?

Zero zero.</b> <b>So let's talk about your journey.</b> <b>So it actually started</b> <b>a couple of months ago</b> <b>in my you just mentioned going to the gym</b> <b>and realizing that leakage or pain</b> <b>or just weak core strength was normal</b> <b>after hearing it around, you know,</b> <b>being around other women there in the gym.</b> <b>And I realized, okay,</b> <b>my kids are in their twenties</b> <b>and even though they're that old,</b> <b>there's still help that I can get.</b> <b>It's not too late.</b> <b>So I started asking around.</b> <b>I spoke to my trainers</b> <b>and made some phone calls around town</b> <b>and landed up with in her physique</b> <b>and the rest is history.</b> <b>Don't worry, I'll come back to you</b> <b>shortly.</b> <b>But honestly, Dr.</b> <b>Roper, when you and I</b> <b>were chatting over the telephone,</b> <b>we had some great conversations.</b> <b>Men, Let's talk about men,</b> <b>because some people have</b> <b>a misconception that these issues</b> <b>only pertain to women 100%.</b> <b>So we treat men okay.</b> <b>There is no ifs, ands and buts about it.</b> <b>Men have pelvic floor is that means</b> <b>that something can go wrong with them.</b> <b>That's just the nature of our humanness,</b> <b>right?</b> <b>Like there can be dysfunction that breeds.</b> <b>I think with males</b> <b>there is that embarrassment</b> <b>times ten</b> <b>when you're just personality wise.</b> <b>Right?</b> <b>And we are a safe place for them</b> <b>to come and explore things</b> <b>that they can improve</b> <b>and give them treatment as well.</b> <b>We often see so many patients who come in</b> <b>that are women</b> <b>that say, my husband needs to come here</b> <b>or my boyfriend needs to come here.</b> <b>And it's true.

It's true.</b> <b>And so we want to be there.

Safe</b> <b>place for them as well.</b> <b>What are some of the specific problems,</b> <b>maybe</b> <b>prostate issues, or can you talk about</b> <b>some of the things that pertain to men?</b> <b>Sure.

Almost.

It's copy paste.

Okay.</b> <b>That overactive bladder, urinary retention</b> <b>leakage, dribble after urination.</b> <b>All of those things.

Pelvic pain.</b> <b>Men have as well some of the same things</b> <b>that Misty was discussing.</b> <b>So some</b> <b>the symptoms can be prostate related.</b> <b>But when we evaluate patients,</b> <b>we're looking at the system,</b> <b>what's disrupted in their system</b> <b>that's causing their symptoms.</b> <b>And it it just varies person to person.</b> <b>One thing that really I found,</b> <b>I guess in my eyes,</b> <b>star struck in a sense regarding</b> <b>the different services that you provide.</b> <b>I looked on your website</b> <b>and I saw the prenatal offerings</b> <b>that you have there in postpartum</b> <b>pelvic issues.</b> <b>Can you talk about those, too?

Absolutely.</b> <b>So prevention</b> <b>is something that we as a Western society</b> <b>aren't necessarily great at doing</b> <b>when it comes down to prenatal care.</b> <b>We want our patients to come in at 16</b> <b>weeks</b> <b>into them and work with us</b> <b>until they deliver.</b> <b>We're teaching things</b> <b>like breathing mechanics.</b> <b>How do you even play as many women</b> <b>get on the table to deliver</b> <b>and they're on their backs</b> <b>and they're like,</b> <b>Oh, wait, how do I even push?</b> <b>How do I control these muscles?

Right.</b> <b>And women that are pregnant</b> <b>and who have delivered</b> <b>already have pelvic floor dysfunction</b> <b>and symptoms that they may also think</b> <b>are normal that can be exacerbated</b> <b>or worsened during the pregnancy process</b> <b>and after delivery.</b> <b>And so we play a big role in prevention,</b> <b>but also recovery.</b> <b>That's wonderful.</b> <b>And Rachel, sometimes people say, quote,</b> <b>I have a high tolerance for pain,</b> <b>but that can be dangerous, right?</b> <b>So pelvic pain symptoms,</b> <b>can you tell us what some of those are</b> <b>regarding the causes</b> <b>and some potential treatments?</b> <b>Yeah.

So pelvic pain.</b> <b>And what I want to kind of preface</b> <b>this with is that so many times</b> <b>we think pain, we think physical pain,</b> <b>that something is wrong with the structure</b> <b>of the muscles, joint</b> <b>tissue system, pressure in general.</b> <b>And yes, we like all of that.</b> <b>But one thing that we pride ourselves</b> <b>in, in her physique is the emotional</b> <b>and mental well-being.</b> <b>And so many times that there is a lot of</b> <b>pain associated there with trauma.</b> <b>A lot of times</b> <b>people have gone through a trauma,</b> <b>whether that's sexual trauma,</b> <b>whether that's different types of abuse.</b> <b>There's also medical trauma</b> <b>that happens, people</b> <b>having a lot of trauma during childbirth.</b> <b>Even something like a car accident</b> <b>being trauma</b> <b>or PTSD that causes pain.</b> <b>And most of the time it's</b> <b>not one or the other.</b> <b>It's a combination.</b> <b>So treating people and looking at their</b> <b>pain is very different.</b> <b>You're right.</b> <b>So when people come in and say,</b> <b>I've lived with this pain for a long time,</b> <b>I have a high pain tolerance.</b> <b>And it's we have normalized</b> <b>pain to a certain extent.</b> <b>And I've got to break down</b> <b>that barrier first and let them understand</b> <b>let's take care of this.</b> <b>So when people walk into our clinic</b> <b>and the thought processes,</b> <b>I'm broken, adjust,</b> <b>I want to fix a few things.</b> <b>And it's like,</b> <b>let's let's start there at that chapter.</b> <b>Let's take that identity off.</b> <b>And I can't tell you how many times</b> <b>in the middle of an evaluation,</b> <b>even if it's someone go to talk to me</b> <b>and all of a sudden they're just like,</b> <b>I'm so sorry and they're crying</b> <b>and they feel heard for the first time.</b> <b>And I think that's the first step</b> <b>in helping</b> <b>someone with pain is listening to them.</b> <b>That's so true.</b> <b>It is.</b> <b>And for so many people,</b> <b>I love providing the safe space.</b> <b>I love being a therapist</b> <b>for them in this way.</b> <b>I love that I get to do this long, Dr.</b> <b>Roper.

And I love that.</b> <b>And that when I bring things to them like,</b> <b>Hey, we've got to help this population.</b> <b>And she's like, Take it and run with it.</b> <b>Sexual abuse trauma is something I love</b> <b>working alongside women</b> <b>because they are such a group of women</b> <b>and men who feel very isolated.</b> <b>And so I like bringing that to light.</b> <b>Like, let's there is hope for this pain.</b> <b>Certainly there is.</b> <b>Now, misty prolapse,</b> <b>we define it for our viewers, please.</b> <b>So I'm going to use just kind of</b> <b>an analogy, a little demonstration.</b> <b>So imagine a hammock</b> <b>and inside your hammock</b> <b>you have three precious drills.</b> <b>So you have your bowel, your bladder</b> <b>and your uterus.</b> <b>We want to keep those safe when we have</b> <b>any kind of increase in pressure.</b> <b>So let's say our hammock is weak.</b> <b>Those strings aren't</b> <b>tied, just really tight.</b> <b>So our hammock is weak</b> <b>and we add pressure on to that hammock.</b> <b>We can have our jaws start</b> <b>to sink through our hammock.</b> <b>Okay?</b> <b>And so when we have that,</b> <b>we see things like incontinence,</b> <b>we up the bout</b> <b>or the bladder, we see things like pain.</b> <b>And so our</b> <b>goal is to help these dysfunctions,</b> <b>to help tighten</b> <b>or tone our hammock and bring it back up.</b> <b>Now, what are some of the causes</b> <b>of prolapse, though?</b> <b>Anything that would</b> <b>cause increase in pressure?</b> <b>So I know that we hear a lot</b> <b>about prolapse during</b> <b>pregnancy because of the pushing,</b> <b>the amount of force for pushing.</b> <b>And so that is it is common.</b> <b>But even in young women</b> <b>who have never had children,</b> <b>I know that being active in school</b> <b>is something</b> <b>that is becoming more prevalent</b> <b>and we are seeing girls that are 16 years</b> <b>old, that have never had children.</b> <b>That is just</b> <b>they have so much tension in their body</b> <b>that's built up and dysfunction</b> <b>for constant like constipation</b> <b>and just that pushing</b> <b>and that pressure to try</b> <b>to have be able to produce</b> <b>that bowel movement can cause prolapse.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>And just really grateful</b> <b>for the services that you offer, Dr.</b> <b>Roper.</b> <b>Now, Michelle, being a testament</b> <b>that you are, what do you think</b> <b>more people should know about pelvic floor</b> <b>issues, really specifically what Dr.</b> <b>Roper has done for you?</b> <b>Well, first off, you're not the only one</b> <b>and just about everyone</b> <b>or it's very common, I should say.</b> <b>And there is help get help.</b> <b>And as far as what I've learned so far,</b> <b>I've definitely learned that</b> <b>how to incorporate a lot of my exercises</b> <b>and my breathing patterns in my workouts</b> <b>at the gym and Dr.</b> <b>pounds that on me.</b> <b>So speaking of exercises</b> <b>and I happened to capture</b> <b>some great video, I saw resistance bands.</b> <b>I saw they use balls.</b> <b>Yeah, I saw people with their feet up</b> <b>against a wall.</b> <b>Even so.

Wait.</b> <b>Yes.

See, Dr.</b> <b>Roper doesn't play it.

It's.</b> <b>Why would you.</b> <b>Would you agree with me on that?</b> <b>I would 100% agree on that.</b> <b>Now, we really captured some great images</b> <b>from in her physique.</b> <b>Now, Dr. Roper, back to you.</b> <b>Because you're a mover, a motivator,</b> <b>an innovator, and all those great things.</b> <b>You have a nurse</b> <b>practitioner named Lynne Taylor.</b> <b>We captured some video of her</b> <b>and tell us about her</b> <b>specifically and what she has done</b> <b>in her partnership with you.</b> <b>Absolutely.</b> <b>So Layne started off as a patient</b> <b>and she loved the vision.</b> <b>She loved the atmosphere</b> <b>so much that she could see herself there.</b> <b>And I was very honored for her to even</b> <b>come to me</b> <b>thinking that we could partner together.</b> <b>It's truly an honor</b> <b>because she's an amazing individual.</b> <b>So she offers weight loss services,</b> <b>functional medicine,</b> <b>thyroid aid management,</b> <b>hormone management,</b> <b>and that goes hand in hand with what we do</b> <b>because we see a lot</b> <b>of patients</b> <b>and people who struggle in these areas.</b> <b>And what we want to be is their safe place</b> <b>to get everything you need.</b> <b>So you don't walk out the door</b> <b>having to go somewhere else</b> <b>to start another journey over.</b> <b>I know.</b> <b>So if I were to walk into in her physique,</b> <b>I could see a table set up.</b> <b>And one of the other things that I like</b> <b>about what she does, she helps people</b> <b>who have vitamin deficiencies.</b> <b>Just think about that.

Right.</b> <b>It's amazing because I'm sure</b> <b>I'm walking around with all kinds</b> <b>of things in the vitamin department</b> <b>that I can improve.</b> <b>Right.</b> <b>And she gives very, you know,</b> <b>holistic ways, but medical management</b> <b>as well, medicinal management as well.</b> <b>So she has a healthy balance between</b> <b>the two that she's offering people.</b> <b>Well, I must say, you have such a friendly</b> <b>staff, Everyone agrees.</b> <b>And all the people who come in,</b> <b>we see all these smiles.</b> <b>But let's talk about</b> <b>some medical innovation</b> <b>in this area, pelvic floor issues.</b> <b>So I will say that</b> <b>I feel like pelvic floor therapy,</b> <b>the way we do it, is a medical innovation.</b> <b>A lot of people don't know about it.</b> <b>It's brand new.</b> <b>But within the world of pelvic floor</b> <b>therapy, it's large.</b> <b>There are things like the Elvie,</b> <b>which is a biofeedback,</b> <b>portable device</b> <b>that is inserted into your public cavity,</b> <b>and you can practice</b> <b>activating the muscles and relaxing them.</b> <b>As pelvic floor therapist,</b> <b>we have our do's and don'ts</b> <b>and we have things that we like</b> <b>because we're the real deal.</b> <b>You know,</b> <b>we want people to use this for expertise.</b> <b>But there there's an imbalance here.</b> <b>There's so many things that are coming out</b> <b>because women's health is becoming more</b> <b>well known.</b> <b>And the need to treat</b> <b>pelvic floor conditions is as well.</b> <b>Rachel And because you smile</b> <b>so broadly, I'm sure that you're a hit</b> <b>when it comes to the little ones.</b> <b>Pediatric incontinence is yet</b> <b>another area.</b> <b>There are a lot of parents</b> <b>who have children who are bedwetter.</b> <b>Why don't you tell us a little bit more</b> <b>about that?</b> <b>It's it's big.

It's a big deal.</b> <b>One thing I want to say with pediatrics</b> <b>and Missy did a great job</b> <b>of her explanation of a hammock</b> <b>is the idea that that</b> <b>your bowels play</b> <b>such a role into your pelvic health.</b> <b>They press so much</b> <b>against our other organs.</b> <b>They're sitting on top of all that,</b> <b>creating that pressure system</b> <b>we continued to refer back to.</b> <b>And many of the times our pediatric cases</b> <b>have bowel issues as well.</b> <b>And so this is one of those things</b> <b>where a lot of times</b> <b>people come in with one issue.</b> <b>I just really want to address this</b> <b>and we're like,</b> <b>let's take a step back</b> <b>and check it all out.</b> <b>So a lot of times we work on</b> <b>a lot of bowel issues, dietary needs,</b> <b>looking at routines that the child and the</b> <b>parents and the siblings all do at home.</b> <b>I love bringing families together</b> <b>and what I do,</b> <b>whether that's the pediatric or whether</b> <b>we're talking about sexual dysfunction,</b> <b>bringing the family in.</b> <b>Hey, Mom, can we talk about this?</b> <b>Can we work on</b> <b>some of these dietary changes</b> <b>when it gets into the sexual patterns,</b> <b>like bring your partner in</b> <b>and let's talk about this together</b> <b>when we want to help something</b> <b>that's such a vulnerable situation,</b> <b>we don't want to bring shame in.</b> <b>How we do that is bringing more in.</b> <b>Let's all talk about this.</b> <b>Let's have a poop chart</b> <b>and let's keep it in the bathroom.</b> <b>And we all talk about it.</b> <b>And siblings,</b> <b>the families just gather around that.</b> <b>It's a good laugh.</b> <b>I've got some really fun</b> <b>stickers and diagrams,</b> <b>but it gets you talking about it.</b> <b>It gets the shame cycle out.</b> <b>I love it</b> <b>because it stops its shame cycle early.</b> <b>Right.</b> <b>And speaking of which, Misty,</b> <b>and piggybacking on what you said, Rachel,</b> <b>fecal incontinence, these are things</b> <b>that we need to talk about, right?</b> <b>Because there are a lot of health issues</b> <b>surrounding.</b> <b>And if we do not address these concerns,</b> <b>would you like to talk a little bit</b> <b>about that?

Sure.</b> <b>So we do see and we do see</b> <b>a lot of patients with fecal incontinence.</b> <b>And like Rachel said,</b> <b>there's a lot of shame around it.</b> <b>We'll have women that come in</b> <b>and they have symptoms of bladder</b> <b>because we know that they're all</b> <b>connected.</b> <b>And so with bowel</b> <b>that can affect their bladder.</b> <b>So imagine if someone is leaking.</b> <b>Right.

Leaking all day.</b> <b>And that transfers</b> <b>into their vaginal region</b> <b>and that can cause</b> <b>multiple urinary tract infections.</b> <b>And so it's important to address</b> <b>even fecal incontinence and everything.</b> <b>Everything.</b> <b>And we look at the whole picture.</b> <b>Certainly do.</b> <b>Michelle Education is so essential.</b> <b>AM I right?

Agree.</b> <b>And in your case, I know</b> <b>that you have probably spread the word.</b> <b>I don't know.

I have a hunch.

Am I right?</b> <b>You're right.</b> <b>I think so.</b> <b>I think so.</b> <b>Dr.

Roper, back to you.</b> <b>Actually, I see you around a lot.</b> <b>Aside from what you're doing</b> <b>with these fine ladies and helping</b> <b>everyone in the community,</b> <b>let's talk about some future goals</b> <b>and then some community outreach</b> <b>that you're doing.</b> <b>What do you share</b> <b>a little bit of that with us?

Yeah.</b> <b>So the future goal is to continue</b> <b>to expand all things pelvic health, right?</b> <b>So improve our reach</b> <b>towards the community.</b> <b>Again, creating a safe place</b> <b>where they can come in.</b> <b>There's so many things that we can include</b> <b>massage therapists,</b> <b>mental health providers, right?</b> <b>We need all of that.</b> <b>All and inclusivity</b> <b>right inside of in her physique</b> <b>or under the in her physique umbrella.</b> <b>My vision is to have a gym inside of it.</b> <b>We already have a studio, right.</b> <b>But a gym where there are safe</b> <b>weightlifting, safe classes, Right.</b> <b>We teach the technique,</b> <b>but we want to have it</b> <b>where people are doing</b> <b>their classes in front of us</b> <b>so they know for sure</b> <b>they're doing it right.</b> <b>I won't be barking the whole time,</b> <b>but maybe it'll be in the back of my head</b> <b>or running on the screen something, right?</b> <b>So I want everything that someone</b> <b>would need to improve their public health</b> <b>under one umbrella.

So that's the vision.</b> <b>Within the community,</b> <b>we do a lot of talks.</b> <b>We go out into the community</b> <b>with different organizations,</b> <b>partnering with different organizations</b> <b>to talk about the things</b> <b>that we're talking about right now,</b> <b>whether it be at a boot camp, a gym.</b> <b>We welcome that.</b> <b>People will call and say,</b> <b>Hey, can you do a talk at our gym?</b> <b>We were able to go to Michelle's gym</b> <b>and do the same,</b> <b>and we've been to churches</b> <b>and health fairs.</b> <b>We will go anywhere to get spread.</b> <b>This word,</b> <b>I call it the pelvic floor gospel.</b> <b>One kid, you just talk about it.</b> <b>Can you share,</b> <b>as we close this segment, a testimonial,</b> <b>maybe a success story,</b> <b>someone who is just really been</b> <b>impacted by what you're doing</b> <b>and and they share their views with you?</b> <b>We have several.</b> <b>We get the pleasure of coach</b> <b>reading sometimes and treating this</b> <b>the same people.</b> <b>And we have the pleasure</b> <b>of treating older, older young lady.</b> <b>I like to call out a young lady</b> <b>because she was in her eighties</b> <b>and she ran out of a lot of options.</b> <b>She had bladder pain,</b> <b>I mean, severe bladder pain that it will</b> <b>wake her up in the middle of the night.</b> <b>And while it may not be a banner</b> <b>to have treated her for so long,</b> <b>we were able to integrate into her life</b> <b>where she was so serious</b> <b>about coming to see us</b> <b>that she would do anything to get to us.</b> <b>And we were able to improve her</b> <b>pain drastically.</b> <b>She likes to garden and brings us fruit</b> <b>and things like that.</b> <b>And, you know, it was just so amazing</b> <b>to see someone's life change like that.</b> <b>And we don't treat</b> <b>we treat four years old enough.</b> <b>So we've had the pleasure</b> <b>of treating so many people</b> <b>from so many different backgrounds,</b> <b>so many different genders.</b> <b>And I have so many stories.</b> <b>But it's just a privilege.</b> <b>It's a privilege no matter who they are.</b> <b>We have a lot of success stories</b> <b>and we want to have more.</b> <b>And I know that</b> <b>I certainly have learned a lot.</b> <b>Ladies, it's been such a pleasure</b> <b>having you on this show.</b> <b>All right, folks,</b> <b>we are just getting started now.</b> <b>As we head to break,</b> <b>let's take a look at Dr.</b> <b>Justine Roper in action</b> <b>as she demonstrates</b> <b>a low impact core and hip burn exercise</b> <b>routine.</b> <b>We'll be back right after this.</b> <b>Hey, guys, Got another burner for you.</b> <b>Low impact,</b> <b>core work.

But again, it burns.</b> <b>Go ahead and lie on your back and lift</b> <b>those legs up in the air.</b> <b>Here you can see I'm</b> <b>starting with my head flat on the ground.</b> <b>And then I increase that into</b> <b>abdominal pressure and that resistance</b> <b>by lifting my head up off of the ground.</b> <b>All the while, I'm opening and closing</b> <b>my legs against those resistance band.</b> <b>Here's a closer look.</b> <b>The key to this exercise</b> <b>is really engaging your pelvic floor</b> <b>and pulling that belly</b> <b>button towards your spine</b> <b>while you abduct those legs</b> <b>like windshield wipers.</b> <b>Take a look here as you see the breath.</b> <b>That's really important.</b> <b>Exhaling and take your time with this one.</b> <b>You see me going back into that</b> <b>increased resistance</b> <b>of lifting my head up off of the ground,</b> <b>and I'm alternating with the breath.</b> <b>Try it out.</b> <b>Hello, everyone.</b> <b>During this segment, we're highlighting</b> <b>the YMCA of Northwest Florida,</b> <b>an organization that's impacted</b> <b>our community in monumental ways</b> <b>by providing numerous fitness</b> <b>alternatives.</b> <b>It's a pleasure to welcome Andrea</b> <b>Rosenbaum, director of advancement.</b> <b>She's joined by wellness</b> <b>director Jen Beres personal trainer, Josh</b> <b>Zelkovitz, and Sharla Gorder,</b> <b>who serves as a group exercise instructor.</b> <b>Welcome to all of you.</b> <b>Love your bright pastel colored shirts.</b> <b>The camera loves them, too.</b> <b>So, Andrea, let's start with you.</b> <b>Let's talk about the history</b> <b>and the mission of the organization.</b> <b>And the mission of the</b> <b>Y is to put Christian principles</b> <b>into practice through programs that build</b> <b>healthy spirit, mind and body for all.</b> <b>And there's a lot</b> <b>that gets said in that one sentence.</b> <b>But a couple of things I like to point out</b> <b>is that we were founded</b> <b>as a Christian organization.</b> <b>A lot of people don't know that</b> <b>most people now associate the</b> <b>Y with fitness or with swimming</b> <b>or with childcare programs,</b> <b>but we were founded as a Bible study</b> <b>because in the early days of the Y</b> <b>in the mid 1800s, we wanted to give people</b> <b>something better to do as they were moving</b> <b>into cities and had leisure time.</b> <b>And really</b> <b>that's what the Y is still about.</b> <b>And we do that through</b> <b>a wide variety of programs</b> <b>that really are here</b> <b>for everyone in the community.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>We'll be elaborating</b> <b>on those momentarily, folks.</b> <b>But now we'd like to share</b> <b>this wonderful video with all of you.</b> <b>The why means</b> <b>so many different things to me.</b> <b>When I was a little girl,</b> <b>I used to come play basketball with my dad</b> <b>and my brothers at the Y.</b> <b>As a young adult, I used to come to the Y</b> <b>every morning before going to work.</b> <b>And now that I have my own children,</b> <b>I bring them to the Y to work out with me</b> <b>so they can learn the importance</b> <b>of living a healthy lifestyle</b> <b>and all of the things that the Y has</b> <b>to offer.</b> <b>The Y is crucial</b> <b>to the health of a community.</b> <b>For somebody like Harriet</b> <b>continuing to exercise through her ninth</b> <b>decade of life is critical.</b> <b>She is maintaining her</b> <b>cardiovascular system,</b> <b>her circulatory system</b> <b>that keeps all of her cells healthy,</b> <b>her neurological system healthy.</b> <b>The benefits of working out at</b> <b>all phases of life is huge.</b> <b>We're all going to get out of it.</b> <b>If you don't discipline your body,</b> <b>you're not going to be in good health.</b> <b>It means everything to me to interact</b> <b>with other people</b> <b>to keep yourself going.</b> <b>It's my home away from home.</b> <b>I started in the YMCA</b> <b>when I was in school.</b> <b>You need to keep it running so that more</b> <b>and more people can participate.</b> <b>There's a variety of things at the Y and</b> <b>there's something in there for everybody.</b> <b>My friends go there and</b> <b>we can be like a network for each other.</b> <b>We can work out together.</b> <b>Even if we're not doing the same workout,</b> <b>we can still be there at the same time.</b> <b>So encouraging each other.</b> <b>You can't work out anywhere</b> <b>with free childcare.</b> <b>And he always has fun when he goes</b> <b>and they're well taken care of</b> <b>because they have a one year old too.</b> <b>So they're always in there</b> <b>having fun at the YMCA.</b> <b>I have a lot of fun there.</b> <b>It's kind of a cool place.</b> <b>We're part of a community</b> <b>that children are going to be</b> <b>are citizens of tomorrow.</b> <b>If they develop</b> <b>all of these habits of exercise, diet,</b> <b>it's going to make these children</b> <b>grow up and be</b> <b>great people.</b> <b>Andrea,</b> <b>I must say that was an exceptional video</b> <b>covering from point A</b> <b>all the way to point Z.</b> <b>And I know that you understand,</b> <b>as you've mentioned previously,</b> <b>a Christian organization.</b> <b>And over the years, why don't you talk</b> <b>about the progression as far as offerings?</b> <b>Well, and I think really that's</b> <b>what makes the why</b> <b>so vibrant and alive</b> <b>is that we have never sat still.</b> <b>As the community changes, as needs change,</b> <b>we change.</b> <b>So where we started</b> <b>with that early education outreach</b> <b>and some of that Bible study,</b> <b>then we began to get into fitness and</b> <b>how can we keep people physically active?</b> <b>When family dynamics changed,</b> <b>we started offering more youth programs</b> <b>and now we really see ourselves</b> <b>as a real community</b> <b>collaborator on a lot of the bigger issues</b> <b>that are facing us today.</b> <b>Excellent.</b> <b>Now, Jenn, for people out there</b> <b>who are new to exercise</b> <b>are returning after a long period of time,</b> <b>how can they be encouraged?</b> <b>Because some people out there</b> <b>might say, Oh,</b> <b>I don't know if I can do this,</b> <b>so what would you tell them?</b> <b>Yeah.</b> <b>So for getting started, the most important</b> <b>thing is to start low and go slow.</b> <b>So the</b> <b>encouragement there is that you don't</b> <b>have to completely throw yourself into it.</b> <b>You can start with just a little bit</b> <b>every day and that can be different</b> <b>for everybody, You know,</b> <b>finding something that you enjoy.</b> <b>Um, and just starting with a little bit</b> <b>of some different types</b> <b>of movements and exercises.</b> <b>And there are so many different options</b> <b>from just walking</b> <b>or getting into the facility</b> <b>or trying classes or even more guidance</b> <b>with the personal trainer.</b> <b>So as far as timeframes are concerned,</b> <b>don't worry,</b> <b>Josh, I'll be coming to you shortly.</b> <b>But for someone just getting started,</b> <b>they might only</b> <b>maybe have 5 minutes</b> <b>worth of work on day one.</b> <b>And as you mentioned,</b> <b>it's a progression, Right.</b> <b>And pretty soon they'll be walking a mile,</b> <b>maybe two miles shortly thereafter.</b> <b>But I think it's wonderful because</b> <b>you meet the person where they are, right.</b> <b>Mhm.

And then we just</b> <b>expand upon those things.</b> <b>So Josh, you are a personal trainer and</b> <b>I know you love what you do, don't you?</b> <b>Absolutely.</b> <b>Why don't you talk a little bit more</b> <b>about the personal training aspect?</b> <b>Because some people say that personal</b> <b>trainer is going to work me so hard</b> <b>I want him to be my best friend.</b> <b>But maybe not.

Right.</b> <b>Because you want to get</b> <b>the best out of the individual.</b> <b>So let's talk about that.</b> <b>Yeah, I think just as you were saying,</b> <b>meeting the client</b> <b>where they're at and it's understanding,</b> <b>you know, where they are</b> <b>in their health and fitness journey</b> <b>and what their exact goals are,</b> <b>and just trying to develop a tailored</b> <b>plan to them.</b> <b>And so in the first session, I really like</b> <b>to do a full assessment with the client</b> <b>and understand</b> <b>a little bit about their past history</b> <b>of any injuries</b> <b>that they may have had, any limitations</b> <b>and go through their body</b> <b>and kind of see what needs to be worked</b> <b>on, what needs to be released</b> <b>and strengthened.</b> <b>And then we develop</b> <b>a fully customized plan from there.</b> <b>So why don't you give us an example, Take</b> <b>us through maybe day one, me, the novice</b> <b>coming in there and say, okay, Rumiko,</b> <b>I'm going to start you off on this plan.</b> <b>Walk us through the viewers</b> <b>about some of the exercise equipment</b> <b>that I would use and different things</b> <b>that you might tell me.</b> <b>Okay.</b> <b>Well, depending upon your goals,</b> <b>you may not use any equipment on day one.</b> <b>I would kind of</b> <b>look at you and kind of assess</b> <b>your posture and see,</b> <b>you know, what what your flexibility like,</b> <b>what's your basic</b> <b>level of strength and mobility</b> <b>in your body and your balance.</b> <b>You know, the foundation,</b> <b>do you move well.</b> <b>And so I would take you through</b> <b>a number of different movements</b> <b>and exercises to assess that.</b> <b>So you may not touch a weight.</b> <b>That's a good point that you raise.

Right.</b> <b>And I think it's significant because</b> <b>sometimes people have a misconception</b> <b>about or they might say, well,</b> <b>I can't lift £35.</b> <b>Well, you might not need to do</b> <b>that, is your stating.</b> <b>Right?</b> <b>This depends on the tailoring aspect.</b> <b>Sala Salas Sala,</b> <b>we talked a lot in the green room</b> <b>and as a group exercise instructor, you've</b> <b>been in this league for quite some time.</b> <b>But audience, I must also tell you</b> <b>that she's a graduate</b> <b>of then Pensacola Junior College,</b> <b>and you also went on</b> <b>to the University of West Florida.</b> <b>So Sharla extraordinaire.</b> <b>So let's talk about what you do</b> <b>with the group exercise classes.</b> <b>Oh, everything.

Everything.</b> <b>I've been involved in group exercise.</b> <b>I had my I took my first class in 1979</b> <b>in London, and I was I was working for</b> <b>Pan Am at the time.</b> <b>And I think I've done or taught</b> <b>a group group exercise every month</b> <b>since then.</b> <b>It's just been a part of my life.</b> <b>It's just there's so much variety in</b> <b>and in the why</b> <b>Northwest Florida within</b> <b>just our area in one week,</b> <b>there are more than 130</b> <b>different classes offered.</b> <b>So there is something for everyone</b> <b>and every level, which is great.</b> <b>You can you can pick and choose</b> <b>and all age levels, all</b> <b>fitness levels, even in one class,</b> <b>I teach an exercise</b> <b>class called Use It or Lose It.</b> <b>And I did a kind of an informal poll</b> <b>last week</b> <b>on kind of the age range in the group.</b> <b>And there were probably 20</b> <b>people in the room,</b> <b>and there were two beautiful</b> <b>young women in front of me.</b> <b>They were both 20.

They were in college.</b> <b>And then to my right is my friend</b> <b>Kola, who's 87.</b> <b>And throughout the entire room</b> <b>is every other age</b> <b>range is every other age</b> <b>group is represented several different</b> <b>generations in the same room, mother</b> <b>and daughter combo in the same room.</b> <b>And we exercise together.</b> <b>We're a community.</b> <b>We exercise together for an hour,</b> <b>several times a week,</b> <b>and it just offers so,</b> <b>so much in so many different areas.</b> <b>So I'm curious, all these different group</b> <b>exercise classes that you offer,</b> <b>can you tell us</b> <b>some of the specific kinds of exercises</b> <b>that are offered in those group classes</b> <b>at the Y?</b> <b>Just about everything</b> <b>that you've ever heard of from from</b> <b>LB to kickboxing to step</b> <b>to floor</b> <b>aerobics to resistance training to Zumba,</b> <b>and it goes on and on.</b> <b>I could probably list 50 and in my class</b> <b>we it's a kind of a mash up of several</b> <b>different decades</b> <b>with a little bit of body</b> <b>pump, a little bit of step,</b> <b>a little bit of kickboxing.</b> <b>And it goes by really quickly.</b> <b>And at the end we do some weight training</b> <b>toward the end and the variant</b> <b>we do about 10 minutes of yoga.</b> <b>So it's a mash up of all</b> <b>the different decades of studio exercise.</b> <b>And it's really fun and it moves very fast</b> <b>with all age groups.</b> <b>And I and I believe you kind of person,</b> <b>you are a fireball of energy</b> <b>and I'm coming back to you.

Okay.</b> <b>So, Andrea,</b> <b>let's talk about some of the other things</b> <b>that the Y offers</b> <b>besides fitness and wellness.</b> <b>We have really robust youth</b> <b>development programs in this community.</b> <b>And I think a lot of people don't know</b> <b>that we are the largest single provider</b> <b>of out-of-school time programs.</b> <b>And so before school, after school,</b> <b>summer day camp</b> <b>just today, right around the corner</b> <b>from the studio,</b> <b>we had probably 300 children</b> <b>in our summer camp at the Victory Center.</b> <b>Fabulous, who are having a safe experience</b> <b>keeping learning,</b> <b>learning how to work with other children,</b> <b>getting good physical activity</b> <b>and doing that so that mom and dad</b> <b>can know that they're in a safe space.</b> <b>We are right now</b> <b>teaching hundreds of children</b> <b>safety around water and how to swim.</b> <b>And so we think that in a community</b> <b>surrounded by water,</b> <b>every child needs that skill.</b> <b>Those are a couple of our big,</b> <b>big needs development programs.</b> <b>But right now we're running a Parkinson's</b> <b>exercise class</b> <b>that Jen can probably tell you</b> <b>a little bit more about</b> <b>for a very special population</b> <b>that needs that</b> <b>that invitation, that accessibility</b> <b>to be able to do that.</b> <b>Seniors find a lot of community</b> <b>are why we actually host</b> <b>a couple of faith communities</b> <b>who meet regularly within the Y</b> <b>because they don't have their own building</b> <b>and they feel that they can do that</b> <b>within the Y.</b> <b>And then we collaborate</b> <b>with a lot of other organizations as well.</b> <b>And so, yes, there's a lot of fitness,</b> <b>but there's also a whole lot more</b> <b>that's happening at our WAS Oh, yes.</b> <b>And I went on your website</b> <b>and perused quite a bit.</b> <b>We could dedicate an entire show to it,</b> <b>just mentioning that</b> <b>all those wonderful things that you do.</b> <b>Now, Jen, back to you.

So</b> <b>I know that Andrea mentioned Parkinson's</b> <b>and I had a show previously.</b> <b>We dealt with children</b> <b>who are impacted with autism.</b> <b>Have you ever worked with</b> <b>any autistic children when it comes to</b> <b>maybe learning swimming or teaching</b> <b>swimming lessons, things of that nature?</b> <b>I was going to say, and I can probably</b> <b>just address that a little bit</b> <b>just because our aquatics director</b> <b>obviously is not with us tonight,</b> <b>but we actually do have a</b> <b>a diverse abilities program.</b> <b>And I know that because I wrote the grant.</b> <b>Wonderful.</b> <b>I wrote the grant money locally here.</b> <b>The Studio Foundation is underwriting that</b> <b>that opportunity so that children</b> <b>who may not succeed in a group class,</b> <b>we can then offer them</b> <b>one on one instruction and maybe</b> <b>I think about a third of those kids maybe</b> <b>move into the group classes, the others</b> <b>that might not be the opportunity,</b> <b>but they can still learn that.</b> <b>And I don't know</b> <b>what other kind of special needs</b> <b>maybe that we've dealt</b> <b>with in the fitness world,</b> <b>but in specifically in the pool,</b> <b>we've had great success with that program.</b> <b>And thank you so much for sharing that,</b> <b>Andrea.</b> <b>Jen We have heard of food deserts</b> <b>and nutritional aspects of exercising.</b> <b>A lot of times people will say, okay,</b> <b>I will definitely try this,</b> <b>but then they might afterwards</b> <b>eat the wrong thing.</b> <b>Will you talk to us</b> <b>about the importance of, I'm going to say,</b> <b>just very good</b> <b>nutritional choices in one's life?</b> <b>Yes.

So with having proper nutrition,</b> <b>it's really important</b> <b>to just have variety in what you're eating</b> <b>and also finding foods that you enjoy.</b> <b>Now, obviously, we may enjoy foods</b> <b>that are unhealthy for us, but</b> <b>we can also find really healthy options</b> <b>that are enjoyable</b> <b>just by bringing different options</b> <b>and trying something new.</b> <b>So while it can be scary</b> <b>to try a new meal,</b> <b>you know, you never know like how</b> <b>you can change it to what you might</b> <b>enjoy in the presentation,</b> <b>sometimes just differing it, right?</b> <b>Because in food deserts situations</b> <b>and in here in our area,</b> <b>we do have a lot of farmer's markets,</b> <b>but there are so many areas</b> <b>across the country</b> <b>that are not as fortunate.</b> <b>But you raise such a great point</b> <b>because some might say we eat</b> <b>with our eyes before we actually pick</b> <b>something up and taste it.</b> <b>There can be some truth to that, right?</b> <b>Mm.

Awesome.</b> <b>Well, Josh, let me head over your over</b> <b>your way, because oftentimes</b> <b>if someone does have a personal trainer,</b> <b>they might be seeking a personal trainer</b> <b>because they have an illness of some sort.</b> <b>So can you talk about some specific</b> <b>circumstances when you have helped people</b> <b>or maybe an individual who has come to you</b> <b>after suffering an illness</b> <b>or it could be a disability?</b> <b>Yeah, I was just thinking,</b> <b>I've trained many clients</b> <b>that have come back from injuries</b> <b>or traumas,</b> <b>you know, car accidents, which a lot of us</b> <b>unfortunately go through.</b> <b>So it's something that I can relate</b> <b>to having injuries.</b> <b>And I had autoimmune issues</b> <b>that I had to overcome.</b> <b>So being relatable with clients</b> <b>is very important</b> <b>and just kind of being there</b> <b>as a guiding hand and helping them,</b> <b>you know,</b> <b>motivate them through the process</b> <b>of coming back from an injury or illness.</b> <b>I think that emotional support</b> <b>is really important</b> <b>and then trying to just get them stronger</b> <b>and more mobile day by day</b> <b>and, you know, helping them see that path,</b> <b>you know, it's a progression</b> <b>and a better body and better health.</b> <b>I like that because one day at a time,</b> <b>sometimes we</b> <b>we look maybe a year in advance</b> <b>and no rein it back in.</b> <b>Right.

Josh, let's</b> <b>take this thing one day at a time</b> <b>and you can do it out there, okay?</b> <b>You can absolutely do it.</b> <b>Okay.</b> <b>Charlotte,</b> <b>I told you I was coming back to you.</b> <b>So how do you feel?</b> <b>Group exercise can help anyone maintain</b> <b>a successful exercise</b> <b>commitment because some someone might say,</b> <b>I'll just do this for a short</b> <b>period of time and then lose interest.</b> <b>But you're the kind of person, I think,</b> <b>that would motivate a lot of people.</b> <b>I think so.

I hope so.</b> <b>I going back to what</b> <b>Jen mentioned earlier,</b> <b>starting with not goals</b> <b>that are not terribly lofty,</b> <b>oftentimes when I try to</b> <b>establish a new have it for myself,</b> <b>I will put it in my schedule 15 minutes.</b> <b>And if I don't want to do</b> <b>any more than 50 minutes, I can stop.</b> <b>So I think just starting off, join</b> <b>and then schedule in in your</b> <b>in your calendar,</b> <b>maybe two or three segments.</b> <b>Get dressed, go show up, move.</b> <b>Tell yourself</b> <b>you can leave after 15 minutes.</b> <b>You won't get yourself taken from me</b> <b>that a little bit.</b> <b>You won't.

Okay, You won't.</b> <b>But tell yourself you can leave</b> <b>after a certain amount of time.</b> <b>And I think getting started,</b> <b>the consistency of getting started</b> <b>is even more important</b> <b>than the perfection of your effort.</b> <b>I think it's just scheduling it that is is</b> <b>is really big for a lot of people</b> <b>when they're starting out</b> <b>on a new exercise program or returning</b> <b>after an injury.</b> <b>I just think it's good to as Jen</b> <b>was saying, schedule</b> <b>small steps at a time</b> <b>and then it becomes kind of addictive.</b> <b>I think, you know,</b> <b>you start to feel better, you know?</b> <b>Shala</b> <b>one of the things I tell people a lot</b> <b>and I've been in the Y for over 20</b> <b>years, is</b> <b>the hardest exercise you're going to do</b> <b>is walking in the front door</b> <b>because once you're there, okay,</b> <b>you're here now.</b> <b>So now you might as well do something</b> <b>and find a peace to do it.</b> <b>I think you're exactly right, Charlotte.</b> <b>Is that establishing the habit</b> <b>is oftentimes the most difficult thing.</b> <b>And there's a lot of people who, you know,</b> <b>I know who are very consistent.</b> <b>And we all still have hard days,</b> <b>which is one reason why I think the Y</b> <b>is such a great environment, because</b> <b>when you walk in the door,</b> <b>you're going to see people</b> <b>who look just like you</b> <b>and a lot of people who don't.</b> <b>And so there is some camaraderie,</b> <b>but there's also people</b> <b>who might motivate you or inspire you,</b> <b>and we just encourage each other.</b> <b>And that's a great thing about group</b> <b>exercise.</b> <b>It's a great thing about personal trainer</b> <b>or just coming in on your own,</b> <b>is that we're doing this together.</b> <b>Indeed.</b> <b>Andrea,</b> <b>one thing that you and I mentioned, a huge</b> <b>benefit on site, custodial care for people</b> <b>who are working out because sometimes</b> <b>people might say, well, that's an excuse.</b> <b>I don't know, one to watch.

Little Johnny.</b> <b>Absolutely.</b> <b>And so at our bare living studio</b> <b>Y downtown, at our pool and one of our</b> <b>and some limited hours</b> <b>store at our Gulf Breeze location,</b> <b>we have folks there</b> <b>who will take care of your kids.</b> <b>So kids starting as young as six months</b> <b>up to age 12, although by the time</b> <b>they're ten, they can come</b> <b>do some things with mom and dad.</b> <b>So we want to make sure that they're</b> <b>in an appropriate space as well,</b> <b>but that the little ones are supervised</b> <b>and engaged in activities</b> <b>that are good for them.</b> <b>And we even have some kids fitness</b> <b>classes.</b> <b>We've got some folks right now</b> <b>who are teaching pickleball, too.</b> <b>So that's a huge craze right now.</b> <b>Well, we have a ball</b> <b>in case anyone is interested.</b> <b>We do have pickleball,</b> <b>but we're also have some of our folks</b> <b>who are so excited about it</b> <b>that they said</b> <b>we want to help teach some of the kids.</b> <b>So we'll bring some of the older</b> <b>kids from kids</b> <b>zone up and teach them some pickleball,</b> <b>get them playing as well.</b> <b>Well, Andrea,</b> <b>we have some great images of people</b> <b>using martial arts</b> <b>and just learning more about it.</b> <b>We saw the gymnasium</b> <b>and a few images as well, even soccer.</b> <b>I love that.</b> <b>You know, there's we really</b> <b>we will</b> <b>we will really try just about any program.</b> <b>If there's an interest.</b> <b>If there's an interest,</b> <b>we've got a little space</b> <b>and we can find someone to lead it.</b> <b>So our running club kind of fell apart</b> <b>for a while and now it's coming back.</b> <b>You know, pickleball</b> <b>was something we never had talked about.</b> <b>But again, there is a demand for that.</b> <b>Let's go try it.</b> <b>We have a once wonderful</b> <b>martial arts instructors</b> <b>at both our Navarre location</b> <b>and our downtown location.</b> <b>And so giving that option for kids</b> <b>to learn the physical part,</b> <b>but also the confidence building</b> <b>and the discipline,</b> <b>we really we want to meet the needs</b> <b>of people when they say we've had ballroom</b> <b>dance classes at the Y, you know,</b> <b>what is it that people want to do?</b> <b>Let's and let's put it whatever it takes</b> <b>to get people moving and connected.</b> <b>I think it's interesting</b> <b>there's shows connecting in the community</b> <b>because we really that connection</b> <b>and community building is one of the</b> <b>the foundational elements of the Y.</b> <b>So what would you say is next for the Y?</b> <b>Oh, okay.</b> <b>So I want you to let Charlotte</b> <b>start with this because she asked me,</b> <b>she said, can I can</b> <b>we mention a little bit</b> <b>that we're going to be doing some things</b> <b>at Gulf Breeze?</b> <b>I don't know what those things are,</b> <b>but I'm excited about the possibility.</b> <b>Well, but we are big reveal.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>Yes, We've the</b> <b>I've been a member and instructor</b> <b>at the gym in Gulf Breeze</b> <b>for a very long time.</b> <b>And the Y took it over a few months ago.</b> <b>And we've got some big changes in store</b> <b>and we're all really excited about it.</b> <b>We I think everyone was a little bit</b> <b>concerned that we might not be able</b> <b>to keep our community culture</b> <b>in our kind of small gym.</b> <b>And I'm so happy that we it</b> <b>our culture is just the same.</b> <b>It is a group of people</b> <b>loving each other, exercising.</b> <b>And so we've got some changes coming</b> <b>and I don't know what they are.</b> <b>Yeah, we we've got well</b> <b>and it's funny that that we I don't</b> <b>I know we've seen all the possibilities</b> <b>and at this point our senior</b> <b>leadership is narrowing it down.</b> <b>But we will be investing in the Gulf</b> <b>Breeze the community where Gulf Breeze</b> <b>with some facility updates to make this.</b> <b>We we have some great ideas</b> <b>and we want to work with those members to</b> <b>create a place that's even more engaging,</b> <b>more inviting, and that can serve better.</b> <b>We also are about to do an expansion</b> <b>at the Pullum family Y in Navarre,</b> <b>which is long, long overdue.</b> <b>And anyone who's a member at the Bear</b> <b>Levin Studer Y down-downtown knows that</b> <b>it can get really busy.</b> <b>So we've got some irons in the fire</b> <b>about how to reconfigure some space</b> <b>to be able to alleviate some of that.</b> <b>So all of our branches</b> <b>really have exciting things.</b> <b>And then in the fall we'll also</b> <b>be launching our Y Reads program,</b> <b>which is an afterschool literacy program</b> <b>in four schools in Escambia County.</b> <b>So funding from the children's</b> <b>trust is enabling us to do that,</b> <b>and we're super excited about really</b> <b>helping to raise the bar with reading.</b> <b>And you're raising it already.</b> <b>I'm just so thrilled and excited.</b> <b>Thank you very much to all of you</b> <b>for being on the show.</b> <b>I know I have definitely learned a lot.</b> <b>Folks,</b> <b>as we head to break, it's easy to explore</b> <b>the many facets</b> <b>of the YMCA of Northwest Florida.</b> <b>Just log on to the website</b> <b>that you see right there on your screen.</b> <b>We'll be back right after this.</b> <b>Hello, everyone.</b> <b>As we continue</b> <b>our fit and fabulous journey,</b> <b>the focus during</b> <b>this segment will be on yoga,</b> <b>including nutritious food choices</b> <b>that can enhance our lives.</b> <b>It's a pleasure to welcome Angie Chapa,</b> <b>lead instructor for Pensacola Beach Yoga.</b> <b>She's joined by one of her dear friends.</b> <b>Ryan Ford, owner of Bear</b> <b>Fruit Bowls and Coffee on Pensacola Beach.</b> <b>Thanks for joining me, both of you.</b> <b>Thank you for having me.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>So, Angie,</b> <b>and we always try to educate our audience.</b> <b>Can you tell us what yoga is</b> <b>and the significance</b> <b>of doing it on Pensacola Beach?</b> <b>Absolutely.

Yeah.</b> <b>So yoga comes from the Sanskrit term,</b> <b>which means to unite or to yoke.</b> <b>And so for yoga,</b> <b>that means to unite mind, body, spirit.</b> <b>And so yoga is a physical practice,</b> <b>but also includes pranayama practice,</b> <b>which is breathing techniques.</b> <b>Meditation is often</b> <b>referred to as a moving meditation.</b> <b>A lot of people think of just</b> <b>stretching and strengthening,</b> <b>but there's so much more to it than that.</b> <b>Although there is the benefits</b> <b>of stretching and strengthening</b> <b>and having the unique landscape</b> <b>of Pensacola Beach</b> <b>just makes it</b> <b>such a more profound experience.</b> <b>Because you have the soundtrack</b> <b>of the ocean right there.</b> <b>The waves roaring</b> <b>so our breath can sync with the waves.</b> <b>You have birds flying overhead,</b> <b>you're grounded in the sand.</b> <b>So it makes it really a special</b> <b>experience, unique to our community.</b> <b>So can anyone pursue it?</b> <b>Is it beginner</b> <b>friendly for someone who has no idea?</b> <b>Absolutely, 100%.</b> <b>It is for all experiences.</b> <b>So no experience at all.</b> <b>Experienced yogis, all ages.</b> <b>We have people from the whole span of age</b> <b>ranges.</b> <b>We also have children that can come.</b> <b>We have people</b> <b>who are recovering from injuries</b> <b>who are there, and we make modifications.</b> <b>Limited accessibility</b> <b>doesn't really</b> <b>apply because we're there on the beach.</b> <b>You can take what you need.</b> <b>That's right.</b> <b>Yeah.

Take it and run.

Right.

Right.</b> <b>Speaking of which,</b> <b>you and Angie, your friends.</b> <b>Tell us about what acai is.</b> <b>That's right.

Yeah.

So acai.</b> <b>Many people don't know this,</b> <b>and it's actually on our logo,</b> <b>but acai comes from a palm tree, okay?</b> <b>And it's sourced out of South America.</b> <b>Ours actually comes from Brazil.</b> <b>And acai, when we're talking</b> <b>about the health benefits.

Yes.</b> <b>The berry,</b> <b>it's going to be rich in antioxidants.</b> <b>That's going to be the number one thing</b> <b>that's the benefit to the one</b> <b>that's consuming society.</b> <b>Mm hmm.

And what's an antioxidant</b> <b>going to do?</b> <b>It's going to get rid of free radicals</b> <b>in your body, which is going to be</b> <b>the number one benefit to you</b> <b>consuming acai.</b> <b>Now, how did you and Angie come together</b> <b>with this partnership?</b> <b>Inquiring minds want to know.</b> <b>Yes.

So me and Angie got together</b> <b>with Pensacola Beach Yoga.</b> <b>We had met</b> <b>through a mutual friend in the community,</b> <b>and I had mentioned</b> <b>that I had a shop on the beach</b> <b>and we were very new on the beach.</b> <b>And she had mentioned that they do yoga.</b> <b>And I said, what a perfect combination</b> <b>opportunity</b> <b>to be able to do both together.</b> <b>And we put our minds together.</b> <b>And now we have a small little community</b> <b>on the beach.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>I'll be back with you in just a moment.</b> <b>Right now, Angie, private group classes.</b> <b>I like that.

And also special events.</b> <b>Why don't you elaborate</b> <b>on those two options there?</b> <b>So I've taught private on the beach</b> <b>for a family that it was actually</b> <b>a gentleman who was local</b> <b>and his parents were coming down to visit.</b> <b>And so he treated his mom to beach yoga</b> <b>because his mom had an interest in yoga.</b> <b>And so it was beautiful.</b> <b>It was just the three of them.</b> <b>I was able to tailor</b> <b>the class to what it was that they needed,</b> <b>what they wanted specifically.</b> <b>And so it was just</b> <b>a really nice opportunity for them</b> <b>to spend time in a mindful way,</b> <b>in a healthy way,</b> <b>making the most of being right</b> <b>there on the beach was beautiful.</b> <b>So what are the classes</b> <b>offered on the beach?</b> <b>So we have them currently on Fridays,</b> <b>but we are hoping to expand.</b> <b>I like that word.</b> <b>Expansion is good, right, Ryan?</b> <b>Let's talk about your fruit bowls.</b> <b>There is a process regarding all this</b> <b>and I actually read an article</b> <b>about your business.

So</b> <b>talk us through.</b> <b>Okay.</b> <b>And also the specific types of acai</b> <b>in the form in which it is offered.</b> <b>Absolutely.</b> <b>So I was inspired in business</b> <b>by a newer company called Chipotle.</b> <b>And many of us have heard</b> <b>of your program, right,</b> <b>where we build your own bowl.

Yes.</b> <b>And I always had an issue when I would.</b> <b>And I love I say I've been consuming acai</b> <b>for a long time,</b> <b>and I always had an issue with</b> <b>they would have pre-made bowls for me.</b> <b>So when I started my company, Barefoot</b> <b>Bowls, and yes, I wanted to have an option</b> <b>for the customer</b> <b>to be able to build their own.</b> <b>That's good.

So let me tell you</b> <b>how ours works, all right?</b> <b>Ours works where you pick your base first</b> <b>and what does that consist of?</b> <b>So we have four different bases.</b> <b>We have coconut, acai.</b> <b>dragon fruit, and blue spirulina.</b> <b>Hmm.

Sounds good.</b> <b>And that's going to go on the bottom</b> <b>of the bowl.</b> <b>Next,</b> <b>you're going to pick a protein for us.</b> <b>We just offer two.</b> <b>We offer peanut butter, almond butter.</b> <b>After that,</b> <b>you can pick four of our 12 toppings</b> <b>ranges from granola to fresh fruit</b> <b>and nuts and everything in between.</b> <b>And then you're going to finish your bowl</b> <b>with agave nectar, honey</b> <b>or everyone's favorite Nutella.</b> <b>And who doesn't like Nutella, right Angie?</b> <b>Hey, I see you smiling over there.</b> <b>But I know that with the course offerings</b> <b>and everything that you're doing,</b> <b>there have to be some success stories.</b> <b>Can you think of one that stands out?</b> <b>Well, I can think to my own success</b> <b>story with yoga</b> <b>and how I found it in my journey.</b> <b>It does</b> <b>help people specifically</b> <b>if you're recovering from an injury.</b> <b>So proprioception is knowing</b> <b>where your body is in space.</b> <b>And so when we have an injury,</b> <b>we lose some of that proprioception</b> <b>and will then have reoccurring injuries</b> <b>because we never regained that.</b> <b>And so we will see a lot of people</b> <b>who are coming back from an injury.</b> <b>So maybe they did a high impact sport.</b> <b>They're coming back from an injury</b> <b>and they're easing their way in</b> <b>and they're incorporating yoga.</b> <b>So by incorporating yoga, they regain</b> <b>that sense of where they are in space</b> <b>and they they are able to prevent</b> <b>reoccurring injuries.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>Now, Ryan, so why do you believe healthy</b> <b>eating and exercise complement</b> <b>one another so well?</b> <b>Of course.</b> <b>I think it's a lot like yoga.

Okay.</b> <b>I think it goes to body.</b> <b>It speaks of body, mind and spirit.

Right?</b> <b>I think when you eat healthy,</b> <b>I think you're fueling not just your body,</b> <b>but you're fueling your mind.</b> <b>And I think you're fueling your spirit.</b> <b>And I think</b> <b>when when you can do all three, you feel</b> <b>overall well-being, which is what I think</b> <b>we're all trying to get after.</b> <b>Well said, both of you.</b> <b>Angie, I'm</b> <b>going to end the segment with you because,</b> <b>like I said, the partnership that you have</b> <b>with Ryan, I am sure will flourish.</b> <b>But for someone out there</b> <b>who's thinking about some beach yoga</b> <b>and maybe is on the fence,</b> <b>what would you tell them?</b> <b>I would tell them to stay calm, enjoy</b> <b>the beautiful scenery of Pensacola Beach.</b> <b>Take whatever you want</b> <b>from the yoga practice</b> <b>and then enjoy the community there.</b> <b>So we have visitors and locals together</b> <b>who then,</b> <b>after that beautiful practice of yoga</b> <b>right there on the beach,</b> <b>get to go enjoy some acai bowls together</b> <b>over at Barefoot Bowls and Coffee.</b> <b>And one final thought from you, Ryan,</b> <b>regarding this experience.</b> <b>What would you say to somebody out there</b> <b>who maybe hasn't tried acai?</b> <b>Yeah, I would encourage them</b> <b>to step out of their comfort zone.</b> <b>Acai for for me and my family has been</b> <b>one of the biggest blessings</b> <b>as we've seen our two children</b> <b>that are two and a half and one years old</b> <b>enjoy their favorite snack,</b> <b>which is an acai bowl</b> <b>which is also healthy.</b> <b>And I would encourage</b> <b>someone that may be on the fence on</b> <b>I've never had this before.</b> <b>I haven't.

So</b> <b>I'm not on the fence anymore.

There we go.</b> <b>Go out.

Try it.</b> <b>I promise</b> <b>you, you're going to have</b> <b>a great experience,</b> <b>whether it's at my shop, on the beach or</b> <b>somewhere else at your local shop in town.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>You two have been so delightful.</b> <b>Thank you for joining me</b> <b>during this segment.</b> <b>Now, I would love to</b> <b>thank all of our guests for joining us.</b> <b>I'm Rameca Vincent Leary.</b> <b>Remember to keep it locked in</b> <b>right here on</b> <b>WSRE PBS for the Gulf Coast.</b> <b>Unlock your newest member Benefit</b> <b>over 1000 episodes of your favorite PBS</b> <b>shows.</b> <b>American Masters.</b> <b>Antiques Roadshow.</b> <b>Nature</b> <b>Nova Masterpiece.</b> <b>Watch the best of PBS anytime, anywhere.</b> <b>Become a member.</b> <b>Sign in and start streaming today.</b>