Success Stories

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." --Winston Churchill

I regularly exercised as many people do, fell into a "rut' with doing the same things over and over.  I finally decided that I needed a personal trainer who could both relate to me as a 63 year old male, and be flexible enough with a schedule as I travel for business.  I researched quite a few personal trainers and interviewed many of them.

It wasn't until I spoke with Jill about her team and the trainers she has that I felt listened to.  Jill listened to me and what I was looking for and did not have a "rote" answer.  Jill suggested one of her trainers John, a guy close to my age and not some 20 something that would have me doing squats with 200 lbs.  (If I wanted that I could get my Crossfit addicted son).

John worked out a program that matched what I had previously been doing, but challenged me.  John continued some of my free weight work, but integrated variations on it and additions.  He's also worked into the routine, body weight exercises which are as challenging as free weights.  All of his work is focused on core and key muscle group strengthening which are particularly useful as one ages.  In addition, he's been extremely flexible with his schedule to accommodate my work travel.

I've been delighted with Jill's team and John and highly recommend them!   -- Mike B., Naperville, IL *

Destination Fitness trainer, Shawn True, featured on Fox32 Chicago!

CHICAGO - A Batavia man is taking personal training to a completely new level. He has invented several devices to keep his disabled clients on the move.

Now, his goal is to make those devices accessible for everyone.

Ashley Eisenmenger is blind, but she can hear how well she's running by using a device called the Tru-Guide. It beeps when she's veering off course.

"As someone who can't see, maintaining a forward straight line is really challenging because you don't have the horizon to focus on," she said. "And this allows me to workout at the level I need to."

The patent-pending idea started in the Batavia garage of her personal trainer, Shawn True.

"I bought a skateboard, tore it apart, put these on, put the bands on, so you can slide back and forth," Shawn said as he showed FOX 32 another invention — the Truslide.

For the majority of his career, Shawn has worked with clients who have a range of disabilities.

"I had done 18 marathons, two Iron Men Triathlons, lots of other triathlons," said Mark Stephen.

After a cycling accident, Mark was told he would never be able to walk again.

"Shawn, I call his clients, we're the land of the misfit toys, but Shawn finds a path to keep us improving," Mark said.

With a cross-country cycling trip, Mark proved everyone wrong.

His training with Shawn on the Truslide at Lateral Fitness in Chicago made it possible.

"We're always testing, challenging, pushing, and because, A: there are no boundaries and B: there is no rulebook," Mark said.

In all, Shawn has created three devices that can be used in different ways to adapt to each client's needs. His goal is making each device affordable so that fitness is in reach for everyone.

"To see those little things, even if they're teeny, teeny advancements, it's awesome to see people trying and so my clients inspire me to work harder to get this stuff out," Shawn said.

"We have really enjoyed integrating Destination Fitness into our discharge planning with our PT patients. Having a personal trainer who can go to them improves the carryover of exercises given in therapy and helps keep patients active after their discharge."

- Kelly, Physical Therapist, Marianjoy Rehabilitative Hospital Physical Therapy

"I was hit by a careless driver while riding my bicycle. I was in critical condition including five broke vertebrae, left tibia broke in five areas, left fibia broke, one rib broke, left little finger broke, right rotator cuff injury, mild concussion and mild brain bleed. I was in ICU for two weeks and in-hospital rehab for three months.

Destination Fitness was recommended to me for in-home therapy. When I spoke to Jill, owner, she was so uplifting. She detailed the concept of Destination Fitness and was willing to help us in whatever way she could. She is always available whenever I have a question.  She is always happy and upbeat.  If you’re having a bad day, call Jill.  She will turn it into a positive one.

Dan was assigned to my therapy.  From day one, I knew Destination Fitness was the right choice.  Dan puts his heart and soul in my twice weekly therapy.  My goal is to walk on a walker.  In order to try to make that happen, Dan focuses on the parts of my body that don't work. Every session he shows me something new and innovative to work on, which I faithfully do in between sessions.  He keeps it interesting and every session is different.  His understanding of the human body and how it works is absolutely amazing.  His dedication and desire to help me do better gives me so much hope.  He works me hard during my sessions, but I feel so good when he leaves!  Dan goes out of his way to help my wife and I with any questions we may have that aid in helping heal my body, i.e., importance of compression socks and what kind to purchase, best position to put my legs while in bed, numerous exercises in my electric chair to name a few.  His dedication to help me advance and succeed is immeasurable.  He is genuinely concerned in my well-being and demonstrates true compassion.

Suzanne sometimes assists in my weekly therapy.  She always has a smile on her face when she walks through the door.  She always has new exercises to challenge my stretching ability.  Many times Suzanne tries an exercise on the floor to see how it works for her so she has an idea of what it is doing for me.  She gets totally ecstatic when she sees how far I have advanced since the last time she saw me.  Her genuine enthusiasm pumps me up!  She is kind and thoughtful.

I know Destination Fitness will test my limits and go beyond to help me succeed in my goal of wanting to walk on the walker.  I am humbled at how hard everyone works to help me get better and better every week.  Thank you so much!"

-- G. from Twin Lakes Wisconsin *

Our trainer Dan Conroy and his client G from Twin Lakes taking steps all on his own! Our heart is filled with joy watching our client walk on his own after his horrible bike accident! Dan has been so very creative and knowledgeable in helping G recover after his accident. Never give up, always have hope!

Rick and Annabelle contacted us to help them stay fit, strong and balanced. For the past year they worked out with our Exercise Therapist Suzanne Janusz. While working with Suzanne, Rick's doctor gave him an A+++ for the healthy change in his blood work! This Autumn Rick and his wife took a trip to Gatlinburg Tennesee where they climbed mountains! Something they thought they could never achieve! We are so proud of Rick and his wife to see their goal turned into a reality! Here is Rick's note to us!

"We got back from our trip to Gatlinburg, TN on Saturday. We had an awesome time!

The highlight of our trip was when we hiked 1.75 miles up a mountain. The terrain was very difficult. The altitude where we started was 3,200' and we climbed to 4,600'. We were the oldest people on the hike. Many people only made it halfway up the trail.

I would like to thank Destination Fitness for helping us accomplish our health goals. In particular, I would like to thank Suzanne for all she has done to bring us from where we were a little over a year ago to where we are now. We would not have been able to complete that hike up the mountain without her training expertise. And yes, we did feel the workout from that hike the next few days:)

Thank you Jill! I have recommended Destination Fitness to many others and still highly recommend to all who are wanting to improve their health."

Rick R

Betsy and Josh contacted us to help them reach a very high goal.  A goal that was 19,341′ feet in fact and located in the Kilamnjaro Region of Tanzania!

Their wish was to climb Mr. Kilimanjaro and hired our trainer Dan Conroy to help them prepare.  Betsy gave us permission to share their story and photos too!

Dan and I are so very proud of Betsy and Josh! We all have mountains we need to climb in our lives and Destination Fitness can help you reach them! -- Jill and Dan

"We have successfully made it off the mountain! It was a great experience. We started our hike at 1800m around noon Sunday July 16 and reached Stella point at 5795m at 7am Friday July 21. We immediately descended back down to base camp (4600m), rested for what seemed like minutes, then descended the rest of the way down the mountain.

The first five days of hiking were amazing--just like you said Dan. We were able to enjoy the amazing views and always changing scenery because the hiking wasn't overly challenging. We hardly felt any affects of the elevation until "summit day" (Friday morning).

We left camp at midnight and by about 1:30am, I was feeling horrible. Josh joined me in feeling horrible shortly thereafter. Despite the many stops to vomit, the guides let us keep going. As soon as we reached Stella point and took one quick picture, they made us descend which was fine because I could not have physically gone up any further; I could barely go down.

There were a few times on the descent that both of us nearly passed out. It was definitely the most I have ever pushed myself. It is the best and worst thing I have ever done.

I am happy to say that we are both injury free. I have one blister on my heel and Josh's knees were very sore (both from the 8+ hour descent), but overall we are in good condition!

Thank you Dan for getting us ready for this experience of a lifetime. I think we will be staying below 10,000 ft for awhile now. But we are thinking about our next endeavor-- something on a much smaller scale--maybe a half marathon this fall.

Regards, Betsy