About 3 years ago a new person walked into my life she was more then  a client, she became a good friend and is a wonderful human being.  Through training I learned that her weight loss was less about vanity and health; it was about saving her daughter’s life through her own weight loss.  In order to keep her daughter alive she would have to lose close to 100 lbs so she could donate a kidney to her daughter who had been on dialysis for close to 5 years. 

     There was no doubt that this was a challenge.  While training with me her daughter was waiting patiently for her mom to drop the weight as fast as possible.  Through the months, the pressure of the surgery, and the stress of having to lose it so fast took it’s toll.   We were constantly changing Brenda’s workouts and her diet was impeccable. 

    The workouts were so intense that people where constantly watching what we were doing in the gym.  Men would watch in amazement and literally applaud and shake her hand.  I had never seen so much camaraderie from other gym members during and after a training session.  It was fair to say that Brenda had become a gym celebrity. 

    After training with me for some time, Brenda reached her goal and went into surgery at UCLA Medical Center on August 18th, 2009.  A room full of people waited all day for the results (including myself).  A sigh or relief cover the room when the doctor came out and told us all that the surgery went well and the daughters body was now excepting the kidney! 

     They are both doing excellent and their story has touched the lives of many, both inside and outside of the gym.  They were even featured on a website for a product that we had used during Brenda’s training (Jumpsnap).  It’s stories like these that motivate others to lose weight and get in shape, not only for themselves but for the ones they love.  

     Although I always took my job very seriously, Brenda’s experience has made a huge impact on how I view my role in people’s lives.   When I started as a trainer I never dreamed that I would help others change their lives to this extent.  It has been a privilege and a gift to help people like Brenda achieve their goals and change their lives. Brenda’s big heart and feisty personality made coming to the gym less like a job and more like helping a good friend.  She has the ability to make you smile when you are down and motivate others with her good work ethic.  Thank you for inspiring us all

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDA! 

Adria Ali