Success Story: Anthony McLaughlin

Good day everyone! My name is Anthony and I am 38 years old. In 1983, while riding my bike with a friend, I was hit by a car. My injuries were extensive and very serious: my right leg was broken in two places, my right hip was broken and I sustained a severe head injury impairing the motor skills on my right side. In May 2002, I broke my right ankle in two places and now have two permanent plates holding it together.

I want people to know that you can transform your life and you can achieve your goals. I especially want people to know how Personal Training has changed my life, allowing me to achieve things that many people thought were impossible.

Before I joined with my Dad, Dan took my family around the gym and showed us some equipment. This was during the “Amazon Adventure” party in April 2007. That night my mom, Dad and I met Karen was dressed as a roaming board of questions and answers – all about health and working out. She was hilarious!

We all knew I couldn’t work out alone as I require guidance and supervision in the gym. My limited knowledge of exercise and muscular development made it an absolute necessity to have a Personal Trainer. Karen had already asked if she could be my trainer, and the greatest team GoodLIfe has known was born!

Before my training began, my lifestyle was fairly active with limited exercise. I was not in a supervised exercise program, and I needed to be. The extra weight I had gained was putting added stress on my already suffering joints, as well as my heart.

Personal Training will take you to levels that will not only amaze you, but fill you with such pride and joy – you can accomplish anything!

I now train with Karen three times a week: twice alongside my Dad, and once one-on-one alone. This schedule allows me to perform every-day exercises on any and all of the machines in the gym (as well as free weights, elastic tubing and even the stability ball!) with my Dad, and exercises focusing specifically on areas that need special attention and rehabilitation when I am one on one. My program focuses on muscular development, range of motion, and training in the proper plane of alignment, allowing for good posture and stable positioning. Karen also makes sure that I am near exhaustion from laughing too much!

I never could have achieved my success without a lot of hard work, and the tireless encouragement, enthusiasm, motivation and laughter that Karen gives my Dad and I at every session! The encouragement I get does not come from just Karen. Other trainers, staff and members are always saying “Hi” and telling me how great I look and how much better I am walking! Dan always stops by for a handshake and a chat when he sees us!

As of today, I have lost 47 pounds, 21 inches and my body fat has dropped from 31 to 22%. My clothes are practically falling off, and I’m pretty sure I could give “Arnold” a run for his money (that would be Schwarzenegger, not Ziffle)!

I sustained very serious brain and bodily injuries as a result of the accident. I was told I would never walk again. When I started to walk again, they told me I would always need a walker or a cane. Now, not only I am I walking, but Karen swears I’ve grown three inches taller just by standing tall and strong.

I plan on continuing to train with Karen, since I am never going to gain the weight back, and I want to keep getting stronger and stronger. I will still need the supervision and guidance on the equipment, and I am looking forward to what I can accomplish next year!

Anthony’s words of advice:

Step One: Pick a Personal Trainer
Step Two: Hire that Personal Trainer
Step Three: Change everything you ever believed or were told you were capable of accomplishing. Personal Training will take you to levels that will not only amaze you, but fill you with such pride and joy – you can accomplish anything!