Hello, I’m Joe, your Health Coach.
Below is a little bit of information about me. As your coach, my goal is to empower you to live the most richly rewarding life possible! Together, we will create a personalized program, which meets your specific health needs by setting realistic, achievable goals that will lead to lasting sustainable results. You will also learn about a variety of tools that will help you track your progress and measure your success!
Education: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education, a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Studies.
Work Experience: My work experience includes teaching and coaching at both the High School and College levels. I also served as Director of a Cardiac Rehab program for a year. I eventually went on to serve as Fitness Director for The Club Fitness Centers in Springfield, IL for over 8 years, overseeing the fitness programming for 3 separate facilities. During that time I developed the highly successful Healthy Lifestyle program that taught hundreds of people how to incorporate better health choices into their daily lives.
In 2000, my wife, Jill and I launched a new business called BodyCare Associates. We created this business for the purpose of educating and training and empowering individuals to achieve healthier lifestyles. We utilize various avenues to accomplish this purpose, including personal training, nutrition education, group exercise classes, healthy living seminars, corporate wellness programs, and lifestyle coaching. We have developed a network of health resources and referrals that include chiropractic care, massage therapy, physiotherapy, and natural as well as traditional medical practices. We have also teamed up with the GenH Coalition to fight childhood obesity in our city of Springfield, IL.
Personal Information: Jill and I have been married for over 28 years. During that time we have been foster parents to over 50 kids (not to mention a menagerie of rescued animals), and have 2 adopted kids of our own, ages 22 and 14, and a 2 year old grandson. We are actively involved in our church as well as various community organizations.
Why I chose to work in the Health field: Both Jill and I have been active in sports and physical activity all of our lives. We have personally experienced the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Now in our 50’s, we are still able to enjoy all kinds of physical activities, from running marathons to hiking in the mountains (we love Colorado) to playing with our grandson. It is a great joy to help others experience the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I have seen it literally transform lives: whether it’s losing weight they never thought they would lose, getting off prescription medications, taking on a physical challenge they once thought impossible, or just fitting into a pair of jeans they never thought they would wear again – nothing brings me greater joy than to see the impact making healthy choices can have on an individual.
Personal motto: Years ago I came across a quote in a book called “I Almost Died,” by Ern Baxter. In the book he describes his health transformation after experiencing near death from a massive heart attack. I have used the quote over and over again ever since, because no further explanation is needed once you hear it. Here it is: “If your lifestyle does not control your body, eventually your body will control your lifestyle.”
Hobbies: I love to read and research, especially in health and spiritually related topics. I enjoy sports of all kinds (not watching, but doing!), including basketball, golf, and running. I also have a garden and do my own landscaping—I think that comes from growing up on a farm. We enjoy traveling as a family, with our favorite destinations being anywhere with a beach or a mountain.
Favorite sport: I am still active as a competitive runner. There is something unique about the sport of running in that while it is individual in nature, there is also a very social aspect. There is a personal challenge to do your best. But the running community provides support and encouragement that is unlike anything I have experienced. This is best exemplified in a large road race of 20,000 to 30,000 participants, where only a handful of runners have any chance of actually winning the race, but every person who finishes considers themselves a winner!
My passion, what gets me out of bed in the morning, is to empower others to achieve their personal best in life. I believe a combination of physical, emotional, and spiritual health is the key. Now that you know who I am, let’s put the focus back on you and start moving toward your goals!
