To whom it may concern:
When I heard that Jennie Berglund had been nominated for the YMCA Instructor of the Year, I was so excited. I’ve met a lot of amazing staff members during the time I’ve been a Y member, but I can’t think of anyone who deserves to be honored more than this inspiring instructor.
At one point, I hated exercise and was always looking for a get-out-of-working-out-free card. Then, overweight and out-of-shape, I found my way into a Turbokick classroom. Ever since then (going on two years now!), I’ve been a regular in Jennie‘s Turbokick and BodyPump classes at the Minnesota Valley YMCA
Jennie has helped me grow, and ultimately, embrace my inner athlete. Now, it is in the Y’s exercise studio that I connect with the part of me who is energized by moving, who feels like sweating is meditation, and who finds power in dancing and punching and kicking.
Jennie‘s passion for health and fitness is contagious—she’s the gym teacher that every person should have! She brings years of expertise from her work as a health educator to her role as a fitness instructor. And, she’s always so very willing to answer questions or help find a solution. Her positive spirit and living example of a healthy lifestyle pushed me until I could push myself!
One trademark of Jennie‘s classes is the packed-full room—this class has attendance levels on the hottest day of summer that rival New Year’s Resolution season. And, the same men, women, and kids come back week after week. Most look strong and toned, but, when you begin to talk to them, you learn how they have lost weight and transformed their health at the Y.
A sense of fun, creativity, and welcome fills the air. Jennie takes care to learn names and honor birthdays. And, a strong community has formed, inspiring a newsletter, regular gatherings, and friendships. When I go to the Y, I know I’ll be seeing friends; and if I don’t show up, I know that they’ll call. That is an amazing gift—more than I’ve found in any other workout facility!
I hope you’ll honor Jennie Berglund with the Instructor of the Year award—and if you do, I hope you’ll give her the award during a Turbokick class. There’s a large group of people who would be so excited to share in celebrating her!
Thanks for listening.
All the best,
Sarah Novak