A Journey of Health & Healing

 by Laura Stetser

The journey of health and healing is not linear. We sometimes forget that this is a journey with twists and turns, and like any road trip, there will be unexpected interludes and challenges. What distinguishes the outcome, as shown to us time and time again, is our perspective and attitude when addressing those challenges.

Meet fellow South Yuba Club member Sharon Mathis. She’s an exemplary example of a can-do attitude that won’t quit. Several years ago, she had knee surgery. As part of her rehab, her doctor suggested she try ‘water walking’ since she loved the water. That’s when she discovered SYC and the aqua aerobics program. She signed up with an ultimate objective:

“I have been going to Kenya every other year since 2007. I started organizing groups 10 years ago. I have taken 32 people…family, friends, friends of friends and people who hear about the trips. Because I am a member of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, I can take people to their Elephant Reintegration Camps. We also spend a week at Maasai conservancies in Amboseli and Maasai Mara.”

RETURNING TO RWANDA

Wanting to return to her explorations and trips, “I worked hard in class for over a year…. I was surprised how well I was healing and began to think I could finally walk well enough to trek to see the gorillas in Rwanda.” And guess what? “…I finally trekked to see the gorillas last October.”

CONQUERING CHALLENGES

The story doesn’t end there. Because as mentioned – this is a journey and it’s not unusual that even as we conquer one challenge and achieve a goal, we sometimes find ourselves facing a new one. “I was recently diagnosed with diabetes.” As with her knee rehab, her outlook is strong and positive, and she has a plan in place that she is attacking with dedication: “I am fighting to rid myself of this disease without taking drugs. I have changed my eating habits, trying intermittent fasting, plan to lose at least 30 pounds and work out 6 days a week. I need my SYC membership now more than ever.”

DIVERSIFYING HER WORKOUTS

Speaking of the club, she has since expanded her fitness. “I’m going to learn pickleball now and I’ve started group strength with Erin, hard at first but I’m getting better.” She loves SYC for all the different classes and the wide spectrum of ages of the members who come here. Aqua aerobics remains a core part of her workouts “I love using different equipment, noodles, boards, weights and balls.” Additionally, she is doing chair yoga, meditation, and walking.  She is also rewriting her nutrition – “I love to cook and have been eating lots of vegetables and fish. No processed foods.”

THE EVER EVOLVING APPROACH TO HEALTH

Clearly, having a passion that drives motivation is key, as well as an understanding that on this journey we must be open to evolving our approach to health to fit our current reality.  What worked yesterday might not work today and that’s okay. Trying new activities, different foods, and different approaches to our nutrition are all part of the learning experience and how we ultimately figure out what we each need as bio-individuals and what will truly nourish us and our bodies.

HER GOAL

“Here’s to ridding myself of diabetes, continuing to improve the mobility of my knees, improve the overall condition of my body, positive cataract surgery, learning pickleball and many more trips to Kenya and Rwanda!”

Sharon, you inspire us and we are standing behind you all the way! Here’s to health!
 
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