Meet our Superhero of the Month for February: Dee Dee VanGorder!
Many of you know our February Superhero of the month as Dee Dee and many know her as “Head Grandma!” I gave Dee Dee this name because she is a natural leader and represents the next level version of healthy, active, thriving, vibrant grandmas in our world today! Dee Dee also keeps me (Amanda) in line when I step out, which is quite often.
Dee Dee is a bright light and pillar here at Mo-Mentum Fitness. She’s strong inside and out, supportive, welcoming and hilarious.
Head Grandma (Dee Dee) is an OG (Original Gangsta) member of Mo-Mentum. She’s been with us since before we opened our first brick and mortar location.
Dee Dee is A HUGE inspiration to me and many, many of our members. She represents most women, in that exercising isn’t something that she looks forward to every day. But she stands out because she understands and has experienced the benefits of exercise for the quality of her life and she shows up almost every day.
Too many women think that women who exercise are somehow different from them. The truth is that women who exercise daily wake up and their first thought is VERY OFTEN, “I just want to stay here in my comfy bed!” or “I’m too tired to exercise” or “I have too many things to do today.” People who show up to exercise, understand AND have experienced the benefits that you gain when you exercise, especially on the days when you feel tired and cloudy in your brain.
People like Dee Dee who exercise daily even though they don’t “feel like it” understand that their body will function better when they exercise. After they exercise, they experience benefits like:
- More energy
- Thinking more clearly
- Not getting sick as often as sedentary people
- Feeling better in their clothes
- More strength and therefore freedom to move for the long term and play with their kids and grandkids
- Looking and feeling younger
- Confidence in their ability to keep promises to themselves and confidence in their bodies
- Great friendships, playfulness and NEVER acting like old farts!
Thank you, Dee Dee, for being an example for so many with your dedication to take care of your mind, body and spirit, for being a LATINISTA and providing non-stop entertainment during our classes, and for your dedication to your vibrancy and Mo-Tribe!
We love you HEAD GRANDMA and we’re so proud to get to call you the Mo-Mentum Fitness Superhero of February 2020.
Q & A with our Superhero herself:
Q– Describe what your life (and your health) was like before Mo-Mentum.
A– Before Mo-Mentum, I was already active. I met Amanda at the “Old People Gym” (that’s what I call it) after her classes. I noticed her energy and that of students in her classes and decided to join the fun! As I eased out of South Coast Athletic, I participated more fully in Mo-Mentum’s classes. I have to say I do exercise more now the older I get.
Q– Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change?
A– The year I lost my dad and the year I went through Menopause were probably low points in my life. While going through menopause, I lost a lot of weight. I wasn’t sleeping or eating much and backed off my exercise. As symptoms eased up, I slowly brought exercise back into my routine. From that point on I never looked back.
Q– How did Mo-Mentum Fitness come into your life (or back into your life)?
A– After the classes Amanda was teaching at “OPG”, she would ask me to take their pictures as I was coming in from my spin class from the room next door. You guys still take tons of pictures, but now I’m not the official photographer anymore!
Q– What kind of results have you seen since becoming a member at Mo-Mentum?
A– I think my commitment to exercise is a change in my life. Honestly, I really hate exercising, but I get to do it with great people and good instructors. A lot of these people have become very close friends. As far as a physical
change, I’m probably in better shape than most women my age. And this aging thing is real!
Q– Please talk more about the actual changes in your life.
A– I think that I am more aware of what I eat. After completing a couple of the challenges, I track my food on MyFitnessPal, usually, I wear a fitness tracker, so I get up throughout the day, and I try to go to the gym five times a week.
Q– Let’s focus in on the blood work. What kind of changes have you seen? What do these changes mean for you lifestyle, longevity, finances, etc.?
A– My blood work hasn’t really changed.
Q– Why do you make Mo-Mentum Fitness a priority in your life?
A– I have said this to Amanda before: I have two places where I get emotional, physical and social support. One is my church and the other is Mo-Mentum. My commitment to both isn’t necessarily a change but something that has grown over time. A definite change in my life is that I have four granddaughters under the age of ten and I must stay strong!
Q– These days, what makes truly happy and feel at peace?
A– I have to say that my granddaughters bring me such joy. They are exhausting but so worth it. Husband Bob and I like to travel, too, and I’d like to think that all the activity gives me the energy to do so.
Q– How do you feel compared to 1 year ago?
A– I feel the same as I did a year ago (maybe more aches and pains) but again, the activity helps.
Q– Specifics: age, job title, children, spouse?
A– I am 63, retired from the non-profit world. I have two adult children and four granddaughters and my husband.
Team Mo and I choose our SUPERHERO OF THE MONTH based on several important factors that we believe reflect the values on which the Mo-Mentum Fitness world-class culture has been built upon.
Mo-Mentum’s Core Values Include:
· Mindset for growth, constant never-ending learning – if you’re not growing, you’re shrinking.
· Over-deliver on all we do.
· Tribe – we all need a supportive and inspiring tribe, people we can be ourselves around and who nudge us to be one percent better every day.
· Transparency – We believe in honesty with ourselves and with others of course.
· Vitality – We believe in living vibrantly and living all out with courage and passion.
