“Prior to working here, I worked at the West Side Y and 92nd Street Y as well as the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. This is the first place I’m working in New Jersey. I moved to the area 3 years ago, but with the pandemic, everything was shut down. When things started opening back up, I started looking for a place to work nearby. I looked at different facilities and for me, it’s all about the pool. I’m a little bit picky – and when I saw this Y has two pools, I knew I wanted to work here. I started here in late spring of 2022.
I started as a swim instructor around 1991, working in the city. I mainly taught babies and people with physical challenges. That then morphed into deep water running and I was also a water exercise coordinator. Years back, I was actually on the ‘Live with Regis and Kelly’ show as a baby swim guru. Water has always been in my life. I’m originally from Maryland, and was on the Swim Team and was a lifeguard when I was younger. I’ve also been a pool operator at my local community pool and the pool manager at a Navy yard pool.
The Y is a place where I can use my versatile aquatic background and I get to work with different groups of people. Through the years, I also became a personal trainer and was focused on postural alignment. I segued into therapy/rehab-based training and also learned about neurology and have worked with people with Parkinson’s as a neuromuscular trainer. I’ve also been a triathlon coach and a cycling coach.
Here at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Y, I’m currently teaching the MS Water Exercise class three times per week. Everyone has been so friendly and accommodating. The MS group is also very supportive of each other and I got a nice feeling from them right away. I’m still new to the area and this is helping me get to know my neighbors and is bringing me closer to my community.”