Sheila Verts, thus far, has lived her life in full spectrum. On one hand, this native Iowan bears a degree in Elementary Education, reads for pleasure, and could consider it a great day sitting on the couch just playing with her cats and dogs watching anything from Pride and Prejudice to Marvel movies. Her career evolved into the role of a Small Business Loan Officer, which eventually relocated her from Des Moines to Las Vegas.

On the other hand, Sheila loves snow skiing, scuba diving, mountain biking, and is an avid cyclist overall – with her longest ride being 105 miles. At any point in 2017, you could find her in any of the 15 countries she’s visited during her very own yearlong tour of the world. Besides her genuine love for 90s grunge music, probably one of the most fascinating facts about Sheila is that she’s managed a Vegetarian lifestyle for now over 15 years despite the many temptations presented during all her global ventures!

Albeit, her love for pasta, bread, chocolate, and wine certainly helped her through it – plus her supportive husband, Drew! Sheila and Drew have been married for 19 years, and he, too, shares her love for cycling, delicious food, and world-travelling. Together, you could likely find them working on jigsaw puzzles, attending Broadway shows at Las Vegas’ renowned Smith Center, or scuba diving in Mexico, Hawaii, or the Great Barrier Reef. In fact, Sheila was working on her Master Diver certification right before her impending accident.

Despite their many incredible undertakings, fate seemed to have in store a journey that most don’t plan on having. In January 2019, on one of their weekly Sunday drives out to Blue Diamond for a mountain biking ride, Sheila and Drew were hit head on by an SUV at 60 mph on Highway 159. For reasons unknown, the approaching driver ran off the road, eventually overcorrecting into their lane. While Drew came out of it nearly unscathed, Sheila suffered a deacceleration/acceleration traumatic brain injury from the impact.

The two and a half weeks to follow consisted of a comatose state at UMC Trauma Center. Eventually coming to, Sheila spent two months at a long-term acute care hospital then over five months at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, where she committed to both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapy. Sheila finally returned home in September of 2019, and has since been participating in home therapy, outpatient rehabilitation, the Nevada Community Enrichment Program, and of course, DRIVEN.

Sheila has been a member of DRIVEN since February 2020. Having only been training with us for just a few months now, Sheila’s recovery has been impeccable. Not only have we witnessed a significant improvement in her motor skills and gait, her verbalization and ability to communicate has dramatically increased. Short-phrased answers and questions from earlier in the year have evolved into full-length conversation and even hilarious quips from Sheila on a regular basis.

Sheila is a role model for the traumatic brain injury community, and continually excites and inspires our own Activity-Based Trainers. Her progress has genuinely impressed us all – and we see a lot of cool stuff here. While there is always more work to be done, Sheila has achieved lengths and we know she will continue to do so.

And in spite of everything, Sheila wants to make sure the world knows: She’s loved cats, still loves cats, and will always love cats – for as long as cats shall exist.

In honor of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month for September, we are featuring a truly incredible member here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center! Mr. Eddie Haney Jr., age 40, has lived with a T3 level Spinal Cord Injury for almost 15 years – in fact, the 27th of this very month will be the 15th anniversary of his head on collision with a drunk driver that fateful morning.

Having lived in Las Vegas, Nevada since soon after his accident, Eddie spent the earlier years of his adulthood in Georgia then Melbourne, Florida. He has an Associate Degree in IT-Visual Communications and had been working as a pharmacy tech at Walgreens for three years, then management, up until 2005. “I ended up in Las Vegas 15 years ago. My mother had just been transferred here when I had my car accident. So, when I was able to be moved, my family brought me out here for rehab and to help repair my life,” says Eddie.

When talking about his accident from 2005, Eddie explains that it was merely forgetting his keys that set him back by just five minutes – eventually leading to the one minute that would change his life indefinitely.

I was rushing to work when I locked myself out of the house. I had to bang on the door until my roommate woke up so I could grab my keys. This put me behind by 5 minutes. I was on the highway behind a dump truck doing 50mph. We were both in the left lane and I was hoping he would move over so I could pass him. All of a sudden, he moves right and everything from that moment on goes dark until I wake up 6 weeks later…

Eddie eventually came out of his induced coma to find a tracheotomy tube in his throat. Being brought up to speed with what happened, he learned that he CODED FOUR TIMES just on the way to the hospital. It’s to no surprise that Eddie also had six broken ribs, a fractured pelvis, and both lungs punctured. Doctors had even told his family to not expect him to be alive by the time they would arrive in state to see him.

While there are many challenges Eddie has had to learn to overcome, re-learning to breathe was one of the scariest of them all. [T]o be feeling like you cannot get enough air not because you are underwater but because you cannot get your lungs to work right is terrifying. After about three weeks of daily exercise I no longer needed the ventilator and was breathing on my own.

Overall, Eddie sees the ways that this incident has dramatically impacted his life both negatively and positively. On one hand, it took away his career, a relationship, and a lot of independence on simply daily tasks that he says, too often people take for granted. Specifically, he misses the quick showers and rollercoasters – oh, the rollercoasters, don’t even get me started! On the other hand, he is so at peace with the life he leads now. To begin with, I am ALIVE – thanks to my God, doctors, and EMTs that returned me from the dead FOUR TIMES. Eddie says he is especially grateful for the past 15 years of real quality time he has spent with the family that he took for granted prior to his accident. During his time in the hospital, his brother was stationed in Iraq (U.S. Army branch) and was flown back to the States to see him, bringing an American Flag hat as a gift. To this day, Eddie holds on to this hat and cherishes it dearly.

Ultimately, he has chosen to take advantage of this new life as a chance to change himself and the world. Living by the slogan I Am Normal – emphasizing that your normal is as normal as any other – Eddie is finishing up his motivational autobiography, Living the Ultimate You, and working towards a career in motivational speaking. He also set a personal goal back in November 2019 to lose 100lbs in one year. He is very excited to announce that he is over halfway there with less 35lbs to go!

In his time at DRIVEN, Eddie has been one of the most dedicated clients we have had the honor of training. Not only is he committed to his weekly scheduled activity-based training sessions, but he comes in on his own time for the accessible gym. What I like most about DRIVEN is the family nature of the place. It seems like once you are a member and are attending there, not only are you being helped and being given support from the trainers and staff; but you are also given support from many of the other clients as well.

Besides coming to work out, Eddie’s favorite activities include accessible hiking at Wetlands Park early in the morning – the beavers, roadrunners, and all the other birds in the park – there is so much wildlife that you would never believe is right inside our city, it would truly amaze you – and going to concerts and musical festivals. I love just exploring all of my boundaries; because I don’t feel like I have any.

Lastly, Eddie has this message for the world:

Even though I am a motivational speaker and have overcome many obstacles, I am not perfect. There are many times where I need help and need a hug. So, it is alright to get upset from time to time. What is not alright is giving up. You must always keep trying to make yourself and your life better than it is today.

The next time you’re at DRIVEN, come say hi to Eddie!

There’s a dynamic system present in the human body referred to as the Psychoneuroimmunological system. The PNI system is a fluid interaction between psychology, immunology, neuroscience, physiology and endocrinology. In other words, there’s a legitimate connection between physical health and mental processes. The nervous and immune systems of the body are constantly talking to each other on multiple biological levels. These loops occur all throughout the body. The most note-worthy pathway being the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis which connects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathic nervous system (SNS). Stay with me here. The HPA axis is the system that controls your digestive and immunological responses to stress – while the SNS is just a fancy word for “fight or flight” a.k.a., physiological responses to outside stimuli. The SAM axis is the interaction between the two, indicating that stress has significant impact on your physiological processes.

Now, I’m sure you’ve heard this before, there’s “good” stress and there’s “bad” stress. If you’re on a rollercoaster, or meeting your hot date for the first time, your pulse quickens, your hormones surge and you might even sweat a little. That’s good stress because there’s no danger present. If you’re out admiring the trees then all of a sudden a bear stops taking a $#!+ in the woods to chase after you, your pulse quickens, your hormones surge and you definitely sweat a little. That acute stress is still good because you need it to survive. The negative aspects of stress begin when it becomes chronic, prolonged and unmanaged. Persistent feelings of fear, anxiety, tension, anger or sadness are registered as chronic stress within the body. That’s why mourning a loved one for an extended amount of time can increase your chances of becoming ill. Some studies have found correlations between emotional stressors and illnesses like psoriasis, allergies, cancer and chronic infections.

So, what does this mean for us? Basically, it means that positive mental habits like “looking on the bright side” help our immune system, and inversely, negative mental habits, such as worrying too much, will harm our immune defense system. Look at it this way, our body is always in either grow mode or fight mode. Chronic emotional, physical or chemical stresses will cause your body to be on constant fight mode, giving it no time to grow or repair itself. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean we need to disregard reality and forget negative emotion entirely, we just need to manage it properly.

In a sense, understanding this dynamic system gives us power – it means we can take charge and encourage our bodies to heal, starting with our mental processes. Emotions have been sort of tossed under the rug in the past half-century or so. We’ve been encouraged to disregard emotions, to see them as just a chemical function of the brain that is reactionary and without our influence. That is incorrect and that is where emotional intelligence comes in. Emotional intelligence is one’s ability to be aware of, manage and express the emotions of the self and of others. The Emotional Quotient is a measure of this practice, and high EQ scores have been linked to high relationship satisfaction, good leadership skills, better social & communication skills, conflict-management, resiliency to life’s challenges, and reduced stress & anxiety. This is not something you can only achieve if you cut off all your hair and become a Tibetan monk – it’s like a muscle that becomes stronger the more we exercise it. It’s all about practice, consistency, and just doing the best you can.

Self-awareness, self-regulation, taking intentional action, and being aware of other’s emotions are all practices that become skills through rehearsal. These skills will increase your overall emotional intelligence and provide you with a more holistic approach to your mental health, which over time affects your physical health. Like the small intricate threads in the assemblage of a spider’s cobweb, it is all connected. A holistic lifestyle is the way to go. Some focus on health, wealth, love or freedom, but it’s really all the same. No matter what your values, priorities, like or dislikes are, everyone wants the same thing – to be happy.

Keep an eye out on our blog! Soon we’ll be posting a PART THREE: diving a bit deeper into what daily habits can be implemented in order to practice these mindful skills. In the meantime, check out our social media platforms for our virtual Mindful Mingles get-together currently happening every Monday at 3 PM (PST) via Instagram Live, Facebook Live, YouTube Live and Zoom! We always start with a little friendly chat, and a short demo on techniques you can use to develop your holistic fitness; then wrap it up with a breathing and chair yoga sequence. All you need is yourself and a comfy seat!

This post has been provided to you by DRIVEN Activity-Based Trainer Aide, Karen Castaneda. To learn more about Karen, click here.

            There are many symptoms that are associated with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Muscle spasticity, also referred to as spasms, is uncontrolled, abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. This is a symptom that is very commonly seen in those with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. It is linked to damage to the brain, spinal cord, and motor nerves. Physiologically, the brain is responsible for sending a signal through the spinal cord and nerves to the muscles, which will tell them to contract and relax. After a brain injury, these messages that the muscle sends to the nervous system are unable to reach the brain, or there might be too many disordered signals between the brain and the muscle. Ultimately, this will result in preventing the muscles from responding correctly by causing them to contract involuntarily.

            As stated previously, spasticity is a symptom resulting from traumatic brain injuries. There are also many effects that come with having muscle spasticity. People can have one or a combination of the following: 1) jerking of the trunk muscles such as chest, back, abdomen, 2) hyperactive reflexes such as muscle spasms occurring when a limb is lightly touched, 3) stiff and/or very tight muscles at rest causing difficulty in relaxing or stretching, and/or 4) muscle tightness during activities which makes it challenging to control movements. Often when a person is experiencing muscle tightness, the obvious solution is to stretch it out. Those having suffered brain injuries, however, experience muscle tightness much more prominently and on a more intense level – frequently feeling like the muscles are unable to relax or stretch.

            Implication of treatment is dependent upon the severity and frequency of the spasms. It is also highly contemplated when they become worse during certain activities, a specific time of day, obstructed sleep, and/or limit the person’s ability to function. There are also times when the severity will fluctuate, which is another factor as well. Muscle spasticity is not always unpleasant or bothersome but can generate problems that give harm or pain to the person. Such problems include discomfort when muscles tighten, restricted motion, difficulty during deep inhalation, falls, inadequate use of hands, limitations on Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), inability to maintain proper hygiene, skin pressure ulcers, poor positioning in medical equipment, and/or lethargy during the day. When the spasticity becomes severe, that is when it can cause almost continuous spasms, making it a challenge to complete a very simple movement.

            Treatment of muscle spasticity can be conducted in many ways. One method is through physical treatment with the goal of maintaining flexibility and reducing spasticity and risk for permanent joint contractures. This can be done by performing Passive Range of Motion, standing with support to help stretch the muscles, use of medical equipment (i.e., splints, braces, orthotics), exercise and/or stretching in a pool. Another method used is oral medication, for example, Baclofen, Dantrolene, or Benzodiazepines. Focal interventions could also be used, which is application to a specific location. These types of spasticity call for the use of anesthetic medications, alcohol, phenol, or neurotoxins (such as Botox). These will be injected in the muscles and nerves and will work to reduce muscle hyperactivity to control involuntary contractions in those local areas. For more severe muscle spasticity, some medical professionals will look to install an Intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) Pump. This surgical procedure involves implanting a small pump, usually in the person’s abdomen, which will release small amounts of baclofen in the spine. Consequently, the effect and success of treatment is dependent upon the severity of the spasticity.

Trainer Caleb and his client Karima on the Galileo

            At DRIVEN we offer a few methods of neurorecovery and rehabilitation that can help target a client’s muscle spasticity. The overall level of physical activity and specific exercises that are being provided by the Activity-Based Trainers also help to aid this as well. We have a Galileo machine that is specific to whole body vibration and a Hand Galileo that targets vibration to the upper extremities. Because of the constant vibrations that are occurring from the machines, the body or a specific body part is relaxed during a muscle spasm. Through a wholistic approach to wellness and being more aware of symptoms that are a result of traumatic brain injuries, we at DRIVEN can better determine which fitness and recovery regimens work best for each client.

This post has been provided to you by DRIVEN Activity-Based Trainer Aide, Jennine Marquez. To learn more about Jennine, click here.

Aloha!

This is Tyler a.k.a. Kicker and I am an Activity-Based Trainer Aide here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center out here in Las Vegas.  I was born and raised in Hawai’i and moved to the 9th island (Las Vegas, NV) in March 2019. Making the move was hands down the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but it was necessary to grow as an individual. I love to exercise and also just sit back and relax. Growing up, sports was a huge part of my life. I was always involved in something (soccer, football, basketball, track, and judo). I was also lucky enough to play a little football o n the collegiate level at Mayville State University in North Dakota and the University of Hawaii.

I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. I worked as a Rehabilitation Technician for 2 years at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. We specialized in helping those with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, complicated orthopedic injuries, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, and other conditiona. For three years I ran the Strength and Conditioning program at Pearl City High School and was a personal trainer for one year.

My grandma plays a big role in my decision to work in therapy. Back in 2011-2012, my grandma became very ill and I became her main caregiver. This responsibility was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. I tried my best to help her with her activities of daily living (ADL’s). I had no idea what I was doing and sometimes I felt like I was hurting her more than actually helping her. Eventually we had a home health Occupational Therapist start therapy with her and things finally started to get better. The OT taught me different exercises, ADL techniques, and ways to make her home safer and more accessible. Everything clicked and I decided that I wanted to become an Occupational Therapist. After I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I started to work at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific to gain experience. I was able to learn from amazing PTs, OTs, SLPs, RNs, and RTs in an acute hospital setting. It’s kind of funny because I was frequently asked by therapists and nurses if OT was really what I wanted to do. I was told that I would be wiping butts for a living and that teaching ADLs is repetitive and boring. To be honest, OT might not be as glorified as being a PT, but I find OT to be very fulfilling. I always think back to when I would struggle with helping my grandma use the bathroom or how it took an hour to help her get dressed. That is something that will always stick with me and that is the reason why I decided to go down this path.

When I moved to Vegas, my goal was to apply to OT school. I never expected to find a place like DRIVEN. Working here for the past 7 months has been nothing short of amazing. When it came to the rehab field, I thought I’d already seen it all, but there’s so much more to it. People tend to ask me what makes DRIVEN different, and I don’t know where to begin. DRIVEN is a place where people are continuously working on getting stronger and better. It’s a facility that will push you beyond the limits and support you on your journey to recovery. We help make “impossible” into I’m Possible. Here at DRIVEN, we don’t give up on anyone’s goals and everyone that walks through those doors is treated like family. This is why I love working here. I am very excited and blessed to be a part of this team, and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me.

            There are a few modifiable determinants that correlate with a stroke, which are hypertension, diabetes, smoking, etc.; but one that is very alluring is physical inactivity (or low cardiorespiratory fitness). Did you know that co-morbid cardiovascular conditions are present in 75% of stroke survivors – making it the #1 cause of death for people who have suffered a stroke? That is a scary thought! But thankfully that is a very modifiable condition that can be improved. And at DRIVEN, we got you covered.

            Research shows that intensive, aerobic, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)-assisted cycling can vastly improve one’s cardiovascular endurance. In one case study, eleven individuals who suffered a stroke participated in an FES-assisted cycling study to produce a correlation between improvement in aerobic capacity and locomotor function. In just eight weeks, there were significant improvements in the subjects’ VO2max AND in their self-selected walking speed. In other words, there IS indeed a correlation with improving one’s aerobic capacity to be able to perform other activities as well. Stacey et al. (2018) actually says, “There is high likelihood that improvements in metabolic capacity influence other functional as well as long-term health related outcomes and we believe that training to improve metabolic capacity should be a focus following [cardiovascular activity].”

            In another longitudinal study, Cavero-Redondo et al. (2019) states, “The primary finding of our study is that, among elderly people free of HTN [hypertension] at baseline, overweight/obesity, high CRF [cardiorespiratory fitness] levels, and non-diabetic status are the most important protective factors against stroke.” This study was observing those who have already suffered a stroke and were looking at modifiable factors to enhance in order to decrease the likelihood of it reoccurring.

            At DRIVEN Neurorecovery Center here in Las Vegas, we thrive on carrying out multidisciplinary approaches to our clients. A couple of features at DRIVEN are our wheelchair-accessible cardio equipment and our FES-assisted cycling bikes. We have multiple modems of Sci-Fit equipment, including arm cycles, leg cycles, recumbent bikes, and treadmills. We also have multiple FES-assisted bikes made by Restorative Therapies. They are one of the leading providers of FES equipment, making achievements and recovery for the neuro-adaptive population much more feasible. If you’re ever wanting a good cardio session and wanting to supplement it with some Activity-Based Training, come to DRIVEN and we’ll take care of you!

This post has been provided to you by DRIVEN Activity-Based Trainer, Caleb Pitman. To learn more about Caleb, click here.

My name is Jennine Marquez and I am an Activity-Based Trainer Aide here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center in Las Vegas, Nevada! I was born here in Las Vegas, but during my elementary years I lived in Indiana and Illinois and then finally came back to Nevada for middle school. I have been in Vegas ever since so I technically consider myself to be born and raised here. In my free time I love doing anything active, hanging with family, trying new food places, going to concerts and music festivals, and playing (self-taught) guitar and bass.

In 2019, I graduated at UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Ever since I was younger, I was always active and playing sports – whether it’d be playing softball, basketball, or just riding my skateboard around the neighborhood. My decisions to major in Kinesiology as well as become a Physical Therapist were greatly influenced by my love for softball and always being physically active. I was lucky enough to obtain a job at a Physical Therapy clinic as a Rehabilitation Technician where that solidified my aspirations for Physical Therapy.

I was looking for jobs to see what was out there. I stumbled upon this opening for DRIVEN and read that having a degree was an actual requirement. I was very fortunate to find a job where I would be able to apply my foundational knowledge of kinesiology and anatomy/physiology. Because I had just graduated, I thought to myself, “Why not?” and applied!

A few weeks after my college graduation I had the great opportunity to interview and be selected to work for DRIVEN! I have always been someone that is afraid of change and when I get comfortable I tend to stay there for a long time and become complacent. After being a rehab tech for a couple of years I knew that it was time for me to leave and go to DRIVEN where I had more opportunities to learn and grow. I couldn’t miss out on this unique opportunity to work so in-depth with such a variety of neurological disabilities and conditions. Ever since starting at this position I have broadened my knowledge and I am learning something new everyday. I have become passionate working with this population and will continue to give my best to DRIVEN and everyone that steps foot through our doors!

More than just a gym, DRIVEN is a facility that encompasses holistic fitness in every sense. Holistic fitness is a wonderful way to improve your mind, body and health. It’s more than lifting weights – it’s about listening, breathing, accepting, and healing. Shifting focus inward and putting your-self back into your fitness practice. Physical fitness frequently feels like the most important aspect of health, but it’s much more than that. DRIVEN works to create a healthy environment in all aspects; starting with the services we offer, our approach in training and even down to the vibez we provide. True and total well-being can include physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual fitness.

The DRIVEN team is educated by the NeuroRecovery Network and utilizes NextStep’s activity-based training principles. We embrace neuroplasticity and the central nervous system’s ability to learn and relearn. This means training sessions are structured around guided exercises that are task-specific, always custom made for the client. No program or training session is the same since every recovery process is different. Additionally, you’ll never hear us say “you’re plateauing”. Recovery is always the focus so encouraging intent and finding new challenges is one of the ways we tie in physical and emotional/mental wellness.

We go beyond by incorporating the emotional and mental aspects of holistic fitness. This type of well-being is related to our ability to deal with whatever comes our way. It doesn’t mean you have to be tough all the time, it just means you’re able to acknowledge when you’re struggling and able to ask for help without shame. Understanding how stress affects your life is a major part of being emotionally and mentally fit – being familiar with stress allows us to deal with it effectively. The goal is to always love ourselves just the way we are, and extend that same compassion to everyone around us. Emotional and mental fitness can be exercised by managing your stress, asking for help, doing what you love and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

We encourage emotional and mental fitness by hosting several social events. Every Friday from 2 to 3 pm we host the support group, Redesign. Redesign emphasizes the importance of continuous self-awareness and self-improvement. Every second Tuesday of the month we have a larger support group from 5 to 7 pm. Both events are led by licensed therapists and on the Tuesday groups we provide appetizers and refreshments! We will also be hosting a therapeutic paint night on September 6th, where attendees from those that are able-bodied to high-level quadriplegics are challenged to paint using the brushes in their mouths! Paint-With Your Mouth-Night is designed to connect the community and facilitate de-stress through a creative outlet. Our collaboration with Downtown Yoga & Wellness Co-Op is another extension of our holistic values. The Co-Op is headquartered within DRIVEN, offering free chair yoga and trauma recovery yoga on a weekly basis that is open to all ability levels, in addition to daily yoga for families and caregivers and meditation sessions. Meditation is a wonderful way to connect mental and spiritual fitness.

Spiritual fitness can include but isn’t limited to prayer and religious practices. It’s also knowing where you fit in the connectedness of all things in this world. It starts with the simple things. As trainers and staff we act with compassion and real kindness; always striving to be a better person and acting out of integrity and generosity instead of dishonesty or selfishness. We encourage our clients to do the same. Some have found their own way of doing so by volunteering their time and skills to DRIVEN and our community in their special areas of expertise; such as designing our flyers, or offering professional advice related to their field! It allows our clients to give back to the facility but also connect with passions and hobbies that may be stress-relieving for them. Our friends at the Co-Op also offer reiki and sound healing sessions for discounted rates. These activities remind us of the connectedness of it all; the impact our universe has on our body and well-being, and equally important, how we impact the environment around us. It’s why it is so important to love yourself and extend that love to those around you. Spiritual fitness is also about listening to your body and intuition. No path is the same so it’s important to improve while staying true to who you are!

True fitness incorporates the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual components of fitness. Allowing us to completely integrate mind, body and spirit in order to support total well-being. Working to improve holistic fitness positively affects every aspect of our lives including increased health, mental clarity, spiritual awareness and improved self-esteem. So the work is worth doing!

“Personal training” gets real personal here at DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center. In fact, what most gyms call personal training, we call guided exercise, or activity-based training.

DRIVEN’s activity-based training is an intense recovery program, consisting of 1-on-1 or even 2-on-1 training (depending on the client’s needs) with our activity-based trainers. The program works to improve function, neurological recruitment, and the individual’s overall health and fitness. The program kicks off with an in-depth, 2-hour evaluation that sets parameters for the client’s limitations based on the NeuroRecovery Network Scale via the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. This initial evaluation is also the time for the client to express their goals and desires for their recovery and fitness. Thereafter, the program consists of regular training sessions varying anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, 1 to 3 sessions a week, that are exactly specialized for the individual client based on their ability level and fitness/recovery goals. At the discretion of the trainers, a client’s workout program may consist of use of the G-EO System, functional electrical stimulation via the Xcite machine, Galileo, Lite Gait and other specialized equipment that DRIVEN has to offer.

Check out our gallery for some great moments we’ve captured of our clients who participate in DRIVEN‘s personalized training program now!

Contact us today if you think Activity-Based Training could be the workout program you’ve been searching for!