LifeStyles Member Spotlight: Vicki Johnson

Meet LifeStyles member of over 6 years, Vicki Johnson! Before joining LifeStyles, Vicki rarely exercised consistently. Several years ago, she began swimming at the town pool. When Vicki joined LifeStyles in 2018, she swam on a more consistent basis of 2-3 days per week. She then met the exercise specialist team, had a fitness assessment, and was given a personal exercise prescription, which motivated her with a well-rounded fitness program. This included strength training machines, cardiovascular exercises beyond swimming, and being a frequent pickleball athlete. Vicki feels that LifeStyles has given her a sense of confidence to try new things and the motivation to be more active.

Vicki’s daily exercise routine also consists of biking and aquatic group exercise classes. Returning to the bike at LifeStyles has encouraged her to get her own personal bike out during the spring and summer months to bike national parks and the Jersey shore boardwalk.

Vicki feels that joining LifeStyles has been a very positive experience in her life. Her membership has improved her overall confidence and helps to relieve stress from her everyday life. Vicki says that from the time she enters LifeStyles until she leaves, the staff is always so welcoming and friendly. Vicki has also met many members and developed new friendships since she joined LifeStyles.

LifeStyles Member Spotlight: Jennifer Verstraete

Jennifer Verstraete joined Valley Health LifeStyles in 2019, having never worked out in a gym setting before. Jen has multiple sclerosis (MS) and became a member of the facility hoping to add to her strength and muscle mass, improve her balance and coordination, and make new friends.

After being a member for 6 years, Valley Health LifeStyles has allowed her to live life more confidently as she co-exists successfully with her MS. Not only has she gained confidence and strength, but she is more active than ever. Jen is at LifeStyles a minimum of five times a week. She walks the track three times a week, rides the bike, takes Chair Yoga and Zumba classes every week, and participates in small-group training classes with trainer Wendy Zanella. Jen said of her trainer, “Not only is Wendy a great, knowledgeable instructor, she is also creative and motivating during personal training sessions to show me how to safely reach my goals.”

Valley Health LifeStyles has also gifted Jen with many new friends. She finds it inspiring to see other members with various health challenges working so hard to meet a goal. Jen is empowered with the knowledge that she can adapt and overcome anything with a positive mental attitude, and Valley Health LifeStyles has helped her do just that.

LifeStyles Member Spotlight: Sue Pullins

If you’ve been to LifeStyles over the past 6 years, you have undoubtedly seen member Sue Pullins working out here. Whether it was power walking on our track, using the equipment, taking group exercise classes, playing pickleball, or working out with personal trainer Wendy Zanella (one-on-one or in one of her small-group classes), she has always been a welcome presence. But you may not know about Sue’s harrowing and life-threatening experience.

On vacation in Italy near Venice in summer 2024, Sue went on a hike. Taking a misstep, she fell 30 feet, rendering her unconscious and in critical condition. She was quickly airlifted to the nearest hospital, where she was cared for and had to be intubated. When the intubation was removed, she had a heart attack and an emergency tracheotomy.

Making it through, she was then airlifted all the way to The Valley Hospital, where she regained consciousness two weeks after her fall. With a long road to recovery, Sue pushed through physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy at The Valley Center for Health and Wellness. Unable to stand, Sue started out in a wheelchair and progressed to using a walker, a rollator walker, and then a cane.

Sue is now not only back to walking unassisted, but she has been able to return to LifeStyles and is back to doing many of the things that she has always loved to do to stay healthy and in shape. Sue believes that her survival and recovery are due to her physical fitness, which she worked on at LifeStyles, and the care that she received throughout Valley Health System. We are so thankful that she made it through and is willing to share her story with everyone. Welcome back, Sue!