stress reliever . “ When you ’ re a young mom , if you can go work out hard for a few hours a week , it really helps .”
Years of part-timing as an instructor with a full-time passion for group fitness ultimately led Susan to sit down with her husband and discuss the possibility of her pursuing fitness full-time when the opportunity presented itself . Susan left her sales job to pursue her lifelong passion in fitness and couldn ’ t be happier .
A PEEK INTO THE PAST
Her love for fitness and being active undoubtedly came in part from her parents . Susan grew up in Manhattan , a landscape that can be somewhat limiting in terms of keeping active , but her parents made sure to do something with her and her two younger brothers every weekend . “ We were always hiking or picnicking or snow skiing or taking a trip somewhere .”
Susan also spent many of her summers on Long Island , where she developed her love for swimming and water skiing . Though her parents were both busy professionals , they committed to reserving weekends for family time . “ We exercised as a family ,” Susan says . “ I didn ’ t think of snow skiing all day as exercising , or water skiing and swimming all day as exercising , but it was .”
Her parents ’ good work ethic transferred to Susan , along with a drive to be the best . “ If the kid sitting next to me was going to get an A , I was going to get an A +,” she laughs . “ It ’ s not in my nature to not work hard . It ’ s just who I am .”
Her love of snow skiing led her to school at the University of Denver , and her competitiveness led her to triple major in Communications , Psychology , and English . “ I took an exercise physiology class long before that was an option as a major ,” she recalls , “ which in hindsight is what I would have chosen , had it been an option .” She met her husband Karl in Denver , and it was his family ’ s business , Storm Shoes , that brought the two to Delaware after getting married . They settled into their life in Wilmington and had two boys , David and Brian .
PHILOSOPHIES & PASSION
One of life ’ s lessons that Susan holds most important is the ability to accept change . “ I think it ’ s what differentiates people who live long happy lives versus people who are unfulfilled . Life is going to bring change whether you ’ re ready for it or not , and learning to cope with it is key to survival ,” Susan says . Whenever she takes an instructor ’ s class at HAC , she makes a point to stand in different spots in the room each time . She advocates for inviting change that can alter your perspective in a healthy way .
Outside of the club , Susan keeps just as active as she does inside . She loves swimming , boating , sailing , snow skiing , gardening , reading , and getting in quality family time . She has three granddaughters . “ It ’ s been a lot of fun to have girls after having raised boys ,” she laughs . While she considers herself a pretty clean eater , she doesn ’ t deny herself a glass of wine when unwinding after work and discussing the day with her husband . Her perfect Saturday night would include just staying at home or going to dinner with Karl . “ We ’ re really kind of a closed corporation . I have a very solid marriage , and I ’ m very lucky .”
Susan also considers herself lucky to have what she considers the best job ever . “ I love interacting with members , and so many of them have become cherished friends ,” she says . “ I love interacting with my instructors as well , and while I am officially their ‘ boss ,’ I hope I am more of a role model and a mentor . It is a pleasure to work with such a gifted group of professionals . The opportunity to investigate cutting edge fitness programs and try to bring in the best balance of classes based on our demographics keeps me on my
My door is always open for members and instructors alike , and their input is invaluable to me .
toes ( love it !).” She ’ s currently looking forward to the January 14th launch of Body Pump 100 and the return of Heated Barre . “ My door is always open for members and instructors alike , and their input is invaluable to me ,” she says .
Susan ’ s commitment to being Group Fitness Director is evident in her growing list of certifications and accomplishments . She loves learning the “ why ” behind each move because it allows her to not only execute and teach it better , but it also allows her to help those who need modifications . Members who have taken her classes say she ’ s always conscious of each person and makes a point to learn who may have limitations and who ’ s new . She ’ ll introduce someone new and put them between two people who can help guide and encourage . “ Then you ’ re no longer in it by yourself , and you can potentially make friends ,” she says . “ You ’ re more likely to commit to coming to class because you ’ re then accountable to someone else .”
Watching participants “ bloom ” as their fitness level improves brings joy to Susan . “ What can be better than making someone feel great about themselves ?” she says . She loves helping members build functional strength so that everything they enjoy doing outside of the club becomes easier . Her passion for fitness and commitment to our members is undeniable . Since becoming Group Fitness Director , she ’ s certainly taken HAC by storm .
enhance magazine | JANUARY 2017 23