The Edge Fitness Clubs is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlight inspiring women who are crushing their goals in and out of the gym! In this post, we're honoring Stratford, CT Edge member Karen who surmounted obstacles with the support and guidance of her trainer, Mark !
My name is Karen. I have been coming to the Edge for a year and a half and have been training with Mark Spellman. I am a nurse, nurse practitioner, and competitive ballroom dancer - so I know the value of activity and exercise. In addition, I had retired from my job and was taking care of my husband.
My husband died in September 2024. I sat at home, unsure how to occupy myself. I decided that I needed to get up and start moving again to help me work through my grief. I was unsure as to where to start so I decided to start exercising. After an initial consultation with a trainer at the Edge, I signed up to start training.
After a discussion with Mark, my trainer, I set goals to lose weight, build total body muscle strength, and improve posture for better dancing. Mark was very mindful of my grief and supported me throughout my training. I also needed to be mindful of the discomfort I was having in my left knee, so a strategy was created to support me in reaching all my goals.
I was scheduled to have left knee replacement surgery in January 2025 - 4 months after I lost my husband and I started at the gym. Mark developed a plan to help me deal with the upcoming surgery, my grief, and to strengthen my muscles to help make post-op recovery easier. After my knee surgery, I recovered well; the physical therapists noted that my strong leg muscles contributed to a smoother recovery process and I was back to dancing in 6 weeks.
I continued to go to train 2 times a week and attended the gym the remaining 4 times a week. However, 3 months after my knee surgery, in April I fell and broke my back! Despite the pain, I continued to go to the gym for the next 3 weeks, until I ended up in the hospital. After back surgery, and clearance from the doctor, I was back at the gym. Mark was very helpful in adjusting my training so I could strengthen my back muscles as well as the knee without overdoing it (in spite of my wanting to do more)!!
I continued to dance and while preparing for 2 ballroom dancing competitions at the end of 2025, I developed increased pain in the right knee. I was able to compete in September and December but was scheduled to have my right knee replacement surgery in January of this year. Once again, Mark helped me build up the strength in my legs which has been making my recovery easier.
Mark has been a great listener, mentor, teacher, disciplinarian (when needed) and totally supportive of my efforts to achieve my goals which has helped me throughout my grieving and injuries. I have lost 20 pounds, am back to dancing, and I am training for a dance competition in June. I am so thankful for all the people I have met at the Edge and the support I feel from everyone.
