2018 NPAA Magazine 2018 NPAA Magazine - This is Our Sport | Page 38

Mind of a
CHAMPION
HOW OUR HEART AND TRANSFORMATION AWARD WINNERS MADE THEIR GOALS A REALITY
Over the past few years, I’ve had
the opportunity to work with various
clients living with serious medical
conditions or illnesses. A consistent
characteristic among each of these
women was that beyond their
medical conditions, they were all
young, relatively fit and otherwise
healthy women. Each of these
clients had expressed their fitness
goal was to work towards entering a
fitness competition with the Natural
Physique & Athletics Association
(NPAA). The ability to participate
in a natural, drug-free environment
was the obvious choice for these
individuals in their quest to overcome
significant health related challenges.
I have always enjoyed the opportunity
to work with any individual dealing
with various medical conditions.
Trainers need to ensure they fully
understand any specific limitations
or medical guidelines the client must
adhere to. A strong understanding
of the specific medical condition
is an absolute requirement for
any trainer working with these
particular clients. After reviewing the
thoroughly completed ParMedX form
where medical clearance has been
obtained, a fully customized plan is
developed that takes into account
any specific limitations or exercise
and nutritional requirements. It is
not simply a matter of distributing a
37.
‘one-size fits all’ training program to
a client. The strength and courage
demonstrated by these individuals
has been truly inspirational. It’s
been both challenging and yet
fulfilling to work with individuals living
with Multiple Sclerosis, Ankylosing
Spondylitis or recovering from a
serious stroke as they worked
towards their goal of stepping on that
wonderful NPAA stage.
I began working with Neesha
Jakubowski in December 2013.
Neesha was diagnosed with
Ankylosing Spondylitis. This is a
genetic auto immune disorder that
attacks the sacroiliac joints, eventually
fusing them to the spine. Once these
joints become fused, it then attacks
the spine, knees, ankles, elbows
and eyes. It is medically nicknamed
“bamboo spine” because it eventually
it fuses the whole spine encasing the
body in its own mummified tomb.
Following surgery that required dual
hip replacements, Neesha started
on her goal of ultimately entering
a fitness show as part of her on-
going mobility and strength training
plan. Pain management and joint
limitations caused some set-backs
along with various medications
aimed at reducing the fusing of her
joints. Despite numerous physical
challenges, Neesha achieved her
goal by entering the November 2015
NPAA show. But it was not easy.
Even posing was difficult due to the
requirement of holding the required
stances for extended periods. Her
training was modified due to muscular
fatigue or pain in her hips, knees
and spine. Neesha was the NPAA
Heart Award recipient in November
2015. Her challenges continued with
hospitalization due to pneumonia
where her bodyweight dropped to a
mere 72 pounds. Being a fighter,
Neesha has once again resumed her
training and is back to 102 pounds.
Her goal is to once again strengthen
her body and walk across the stage
within the next year. She feels
her best when she is training and
keeping her body strong. Developing
a training plan that is well-suited to
her physical limitations will always be
the challenge as a coach, knowing
that there is more at stake than just
walking across the stage.
Melissa Gramaglia had competed
with the IDFA several years ago.
During the final stages of her
pregnancy, Melissa suffered a stroke
just two weeks before the birth of
her twins. In the two years following
her stroke, Melissa worked hard to
recover and had to re-learn the most
basic motor skills such as talking and
walking. Her goal was also to walk
across the NPAA stage and she used
this as her motivation. I was excited