This week’s Pathway to the Y features VP of Community Health & Wellness, Jennifer Rewkowski and Group Fitness Instructor, Maura McCurdy. These inspiring women are critical to the Y’s group fitness classes, a popular perk of being a Y member. Join us as we hear what led them to the Y and the group fitness community they’ve built at their Ys.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:00] Jennifer recounts how she first connected with the (Y).

• [1:49] Maura’s pathway began at a young age through a year-round swim team in San Diego.

• [3:00] The group fitness classes at the Y are a popular aspect of Y memberships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Positions at your local Y can be the start of an exciting career.

• Maura didn’t start working at the Y until a Y member in one of her fitness classes approached her about teaching spin classes at the Y.

• Because Maura’s children grew up in the Y when she was an instructor, they are now members of their local Y.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

YMCA Atlanta Membership - Website

Episode 20 A Personal Approach to Wellbeing

BIOGRAPHY:

Jennifer has been with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for 18 years and says she loves her job and working with the uniqueness of our various YMCA communities. She is VP of Community Health and Wellness, supporting Y branches' health and wellness programming, community partnerships, and grants. Jennifer also leads the Y's two newest locations – the YMCA at Morehouse School of Medicine and our Y at Good Sam. She enjoys spending time with her husband in her free time, watching their son play baseball and football, working out, doing DIY projects and traveling.

When people join the Y, they have access to more than 3,000 group fitness classes. The Y offers everything from cycling to dance to yoga, flexibility, strength and more, all of which impact a person’s overall physical, mental and emotional health. As our guests explain, perhaps one of the best parts of these classes is the close-knit community that is formed as a result.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:13] Jennifer describes what goes on in determining the variety of classes offered at the Y and how a participant determines which class they should take depending on their fitness level

• [4:23] Maura explains what motivated her to become a group exercise instructor and what the best part of her job is

• [7:44] Maura keeps the classes engaged and motivated by making class different each time, and Jennifer discusses continuously improving programming and the selection of music

• [15:15] Jennifer discusses new fitness trends

• [19:42] Discussion of the percentages of men versus women in classes

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Taking classes at the YMCA is affordable and a great way to build community and make new connections

• YMCA staff are rewarded by seeing the progress made by the participants

• Exercises can be modified so everyone can participate regardless of the member's fitness level

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHY:

Jennifer has been with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for 18 years and says she loves her job and working with the uniqueness of our various YMCA communities. She is VP of Community Health and Wellness, supporting Y branches' health and wellness programming, community partnerships, and grants. Jennifer also leads the Y's two newest locations – the YMCA at Morehouse School of Medicine and our Y at Good Sam. She enjoys spending time with her husband in her free time, watching their son play baseball and football, working out, doing DIY projects and traveling.

Today’s Pathway to the Y takes us back to the childhoods of Kappi Jernigan and Caitlin Foster, two young leaders at Camp High Harbour at Lake Burton. Kappi serves as the Advanced Leadership Camper (ALC) Program Director and Caitlin serves as one of the LIT Program Directors. They are responsible for making the overnight camp experience so special and impactful for young campers. Tune in today to learn more about their early connections to the Y and what kept them coming back to camp year after year.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:50] Caitlin had early connections to the Y through her mother, who had a Y membership.

• [1:30] After hearing about camp High Harbour, Caitlin knew she wanted to be a camper. As soon as she was old enough to sign up, Caitlin became a camper at Camp High Harbour.

• [1:50] Kappi’s Y journey actually began as a day camper at Camp High Harbour, where her love for camp was born.

• [2:20] Kappi then moved into overnight camp, where she now works as the Advanced Leadership Camper (ALC) Program Director. She’s the perfect fit for the role after being a camper herself for fourteen years!
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Camp High Harbour is an accessible program for campers from all over. This allows kids who otherwise would never experience camp attend and make memories.

• The community and friendships built at Camp High Harbour last a lifetime.

• The counselors and leaders of Camp High Harbour help raise thousands of dollars every year to help make Camp High Harbour an accessible and affordable program for all.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

YMCA Camp High Harbor

BIOGRAPHIES:

Kappi Jernigan is a rising sophomore at Wake Forest University majoring in mathematics with minors in chemistry and neuroscience on the pre-med track. This is her 14th summer at Camp High Harbour at Lake Burton, and she will be serving as the Advanced Leadership Camper (ALC) Program Director.

Caitlin Foster is a sophomore at the University of Georgia. At UGA, she is studying Human Development and Family Sciences on the Pre-PA track. This will be her 10th summer at Camp High Harbour, and she will be one of the LIT Program Directors.