Aren’t serendipitous events some of our most wonderful experiences on this life?!
On my flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL for the Corporate Wellness Conference, I sat next to a gentleman, who I come to find out is about to turn 60. Our conversation strikes up as I’m noticing his fancy applications utilizing video on his iPad. I’m naturally interested to inquire…perhaps FitBehavior can benefit from a new video app. You never know!
He was very kind and genuinely shared information about his work as a contracting programmer, creating these robust apps. But as much as I was interested to pick his brain re video apps, the conversation took a turn toward a much more real, life issue…health. As I showed him some of the content from the book, including a video or two, he went quiet…and then very generously proceeded to share his own story. As I’m listening, I can feel his genuine enthusiasm and appreciation of life as he has had his fair share of setbacks and obstacles to overcome. He concludes that as he turns 60 this year, currently 40-50 lbs overweight, on multiple prescriptions for high blood pressure, living a primarily sedentary life, he realizes he needs and WANTS to make a hope for change…just unsure of how or where to start. He then proceeds to tell me:
“This book of stories will provide the HOPE people like me need for CHANGE. It’s like I’m down in the bottom of a crevass. I see people up top walk on by. But then, there’s someone who notices me down here. He sees the familiar position I’m in, since he too was down here at one point. He literally descends down to show me how he was able to find his way out of the crevass. That’s the power of these stories.”
“Hope For Change”. That’s really what the stories are intended to provide for people looking to start or re-start an active, healthy lifestyle. It’s the idea of “If you can do it, I can do it.” (And though it may sound similar to a 2008 presidential campaign slogan, I promise this blog post has no political agenda!)
My airplane friend gave ME hope for change, that we, Fit After Fifty, can make a positive contribution to society. Looking forward to providing a follow-up to this encounter as he take his first steps.
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Jessica Seyfert
FitBehavior, COO
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“I enjoy staying active playing volleyball and doing crossfit.”
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5 comments
What a great story. Keep track of him and let us know how he does.
Of course! Updates to come…stay tuned.
It takes all kinds of events and happenings to make you take those first steps to a life style change. The chance encounter with you might be the spark that lit the flame to get him started. Like they say once you do that the rest comes easy.
Peter, thanks for your comments. Hopefully, now, more fuel can be added to keep the flame burning!
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