“I am motivated to do what I do for as long as I possibly can because I want to be just like her when I am 90.”
The testimonial below was written by YMCA Fitness Instructor, Karen Mahoney:
If you see Mabel walk from the parking lot to the front entrance of the Ken-Ton Family YMCA, you may never believe she’s 90 years old. Moving swiftly with terrific posture in sleet, rain, or snow, Mabel is always eager to start her first Zumba® Fitness class, followed by a strength class after.
As an instructor, I am fortunate to say that Mabel has attended my fitness classes at the Y for more than five years. She has been a YMCA member for eight years. “It gives me reason to wake up in the morning and it gets me going for the rest of the day,” says Mabel. Ironically, she is the reason why many of us get up to go to class!
It’s people like Mabel who make teaching group fitness at the YMCA truly rewarding. She is humble about her amazing capability and consistency, always maintains a positive attitude, and is courteous and friendly both inside and outside the class. Her presence is inspiring as she intensely focuses on every move, lifting the heaviest weights her frame will allow, all while maintaining correct posture. As she continuously sets the bar for new members, existing members in the class are in awe at her persistence and ability and feel the need to keep up with her.
There is no doubt she is an exceptional role model for all of us. It is common to hear members half her age say, “If Mabel can do it, I can do it!” When I see Mabel moving effortlessly in my classes, I am motivated to do what I do for as long as I possibly can because I want to be just like her when I am 90.