Name: Lisa Grace Wright
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Website: www.ypbtrainingstudio.com
Member Since: 2015
Occupation: 20 Year Small Fitness Business Owner/Functional Aging Specialist/Published Author/National Speaker and Coach
How did you hear about MFN?
Functional Aging Institute
How do you or your business help those with chronic disease/medical conditions or who need pre & postnatal care?
As an entire staff of Functional Aging Specialists we know how to combine exercise science with the art of individuality using the principals of our specialization to help men/women over 50 to move better, feel better and age actively well into their later years. This includes working with individuals with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, RA, MS, CP, hip and knee replacements, post-surgical procedures and physical therapy.
What makes you different from all the other fitness professionals out there?
At 55 years old and 20 years in the industry, I’ve attracted an aging population naturally. It became logical to me that traditional exercise alone was going to hurt some of my clients who had conflicting diagnosis, injuries and limitations.
I was collecting CE’s and CEU’s at a Physical Therapy level for Shoulder Complex, Low Back, Hips and Knee conditions not to mention Exercise and Fibromyalgia, Posture, working with the Senior population, I could go on and on. Finding the Functional Aging Certification and Specialization brought all of this together for me and gave me the confidence to specialize and invest in my entire team of fitness professionals.
What is your favorite activity or class to participate in?
I still do most all of the daily program design for our small groups of (3-6 ppl). I love just dropping in to workout with our clients in any one of over 42 small group weekly offerings.
If I’m next to a lower level client, I motivate. If I’m next to a high level 50 – 80 year old, I compete! The trainers are accustomed to me doing this and the clients seem to like it as well.
Other than that you might find me out running 9-12 miles per week or on the weekend putting in 25 – 40 miles on my road bike with a group of friends.
What is one piece of advice that you would give other fitness professionals about working with special populations or those who need pre & postnatal care?
In my experience, special populations and needs persons who we reach out to are afraid, concerned and sometimes angry at life’s hand that’s been dealt them. While it’s important that our education is intact, training facilities are safe, clean and inviting this is minuscule to the Know, Like and Trust factors that my staff and I work to establish with our clients.
Come to know the population you want to reach. Learn to relate to them in speech, writing, eye contact, the music you play, etc. To coin an old cliché;
‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’ — Theodore Roosevelt
What type of community activities are you involved in?
I love to run in community and state events pushing a disabled person in endurance athletic events so they can experience the thrill of crossing a finish line.
The Wings of Texas chapter of myTEAM TRIUMPH is 
501(c)(3) non-profit athletic mentoring program created for children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities who would normally not be able to experience endurance events such as triathlons or road races.
My studio sponsors one of the highly specialized chairs and many of my clients are ‘Angels’ pushing ‘Captains’ (disabled persons) who always crosses the finish line moments before we do!
What is one of your favorite memories involving working with someone who has a health challenge or disability?
Early in my career I worked with a woman who had MS. My work with her constantly changed as her disease progressed. In the end I only transferred her into a wheelchair several times per week or just kept her company because of the friendship we had established.
Currently, it would be racing with my staff and clients pushing one of our clients, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, in community events for myTeam Triumph-Wings of Texas (as described above).
What would you like to see change/develop/emerge in the future of healthcare and the fitness industry?
I want what I’ve always wanted; that our healthcare and fitness industry become proactive instead of reactive. Many a day, I’m shocked by the number clients on high blood pressure meds, beta blockers, anti-depressants and a weekly schedule that revolves around their Dr.’s appointment rather than their workouts and what they are putting in their mouth.
Also, that the aging population not be perceived as a niche group set aside or in chairs, LOL! I am positioning myself and my staff to be in the solution rather than always treating the problem. This can truly be a WIN-WIN situation for the upcoming active 80 year olds and the fitness medical professionals whose care they are in.
And what are you doing to make this happen?
I’m already doing it! First, through my own self-care, beginning my day in study, prayer and meditation giving way to God’s will in my life. I enter each day with courage to put myself out there and be vulnerable with what I believe in speech, writing, running and marketing my business and coaching others like minded business professionals.
I spend the money and time needed to be part of the Functional Aging Institute’s Mastermind group both receiving coaching, peer support and as a coach for others.
What is your favorite fitness/inspirational/motivational quote?
“Just Do It” – NIKE’s trademark
I wear this slogan on my Road ID bracelet and for me it means don’t overthink everything. Keep it simple, do the NEXT right thing and stay humble.
Anything else we should know about you?
I’ve been affected by the family disease of Alcoholism and am very active in the Al-Anon 12-step family groups at a local, district and state level. This spiritual program of recovery helps me with symptoms of distorted thinking and keeps me serene one day at a time.
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