What the world could use more of.

The pandemic lockdown had wide-ranging effects on school-aged children, including increased anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as sleep disruptions and difficulty self-regulating emotions. One such child was my client’s 12-year-old grandson, Jake.

A few weeks into lockdown, I was in a training session with Robert when he expressed concern about Jake. He said his grandson was struggling to adapt to Zoom classes, and the inability to spend time with friends and play league baseball was leaving him depressed, angry, and acting out toward his parents.

To try to shake things up for him, Robert asked if I would consider taking Jake on as a client for the summer. I readily agreed, as we both believed introducing him to new types of exercise would benefit him on many levels, and I welcomed the opportunity to train someone his age.

Working with Jake for three months was a pleasure and a valuable learning experience for both of us. With his athletic background, he picked up new movements quickly, and, unlike older clients, he had no aches, pains, or past injuries getting in his way. We also discovered that we shared similar musical tastes, and he introduced me to some new tunes.

A few weeks later, Robert said there’d been a noticeable shift in Jake’s mood and attitude. He still complained about Zoom classes, but his ability to focus for longer periods had sharpened. During workouts, Jake’s smart and dry sense of humor became more evident.

By the time schools reopened, Jake was in a healthier frame of mind and excited to be back.

Fast forward five years, and I received a text from Robert last week. In it, he said the following:

“Jake is 17 and has turned out to be an outstanding young man—handsome, charming, and highly intelligent. He’s also an outstanding drummer on his high school’s drum line.

“He told me that your training during the pandemic made a big difference in his getting through it. He wanted me to thank you, and so do I—Thank you!!”

Robert’s message was immensely heartwarming, and I felt a sense of pride, both in Jake and in the ways our sessions influenced him. His message was also a lesson to never underestimate the impact of dedication and compassion and their enduring imprint.

Friends, let this serve as a reminder that the things we do, both large and small, to help others and make a difference are worthwhile, enriching to our spirits, and what the world could use more of.