Your HEALTH is Your WEALTH
Sam Wagner
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Sarah O: Where were you on your fitness journey BEFORE The Form Lab?
Sam W: I’ve always been an active person, playing soccer two to three times a week for years, hiking, and being active outdoors. I’ve always been in decent shape and could do whatever I wanted physically. And then, there was that fateful day ten years ago. During a soccer game, I extended my leg to block a pass, and thought I had just tweaked my hip. It persisted for a year, until one day, while walking downtown with my wife, Angela, my legs wouldn’t work and I had to sit on the curb. We went to the ER later that night, but they didn’t know what was wrong. I consulted my PCP, who said he had a suspected diagnosis, but referred me to a neurologist. After physical tests and an MRI, they told me I had multiple sclerosis. The manifestation of MS was probably delayed by my physical fitness. Not long before the first episode, I had made major changes to my diet, which may have triggered it. That was August of 2012.
Prior to joining The Form Lab last year in 2022, I was doing pretty well due to my neurologist encouraging me to stay physically strong. She told me to be in my best shape possible, because eventually it wouldn’t be there. I was already having to curb my activities and couldn’t perform the way I wanted to. I was getting really frustrated. I was using up my energy much faster than a non-MS person, which I had to keep in mind before taking on any physical activity. I was walking a lot, and doing some hand weights at home, but I had stopped playing soccer and going on vigorous hikes. No more Mt. Katahdin.
Sarah O: How did you find TFL, why did you join?
Sam W: My wife, Angela, did the graphic design and branding for TFL when they were starting up, and she said ‘It’s a really great place’. She suggested I come in and recommended Coach Andrew would be a great trainer for me since he knows a lot about the body and how things work. I definitely found that to be true…he knows a lot more than trainers at a lot of gyms I’ve experienced. When I came to TFL for the first time, I thought to myself, “I’m in!”.
Sarah O: You’ve shared that you have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Can you share a bit about your journey with MS and how your diagnosis informs Andrew’s personal training programming?
Sam W: Andrew and Angela had discussed it and he (Andrew) was of the mindset that normally, when someone is going to do a squat, they’re using a particular muscle… but for me, it would be beneficial to work all of the stabilizer muscles because of how quickly they get involved when I fatigue. So he wanted me to really focus on form, but also access my stabilizer muscles to help with longevity and energy levels…not just being concentrated on one muscle.
Sarah O: What were your original goals stepping into TFL, and how did that change over time?
Sam W: It was really to find a baseline of what my strength was and to help maintain and even build on that over time. Strength and resistance training is the best thing for someone in my situation. I appreciate that at TFL, there’s an understanding that you can utilize different areas, different muscle groups, to achieve the same goals.
Working out here has helped me to be able to do more, which is helping me achieve a goal…like strength training twenty days a month, something I wasn’t able to do years ago. I feel like I’m building on something which makes me happy.
Sarah O: You worked with Andrew, tell me how training w/ him impacted you. What does the ‘use it or lose it’ mantra mean in your relation to your training with him and to your overall health?
Sam W: I’ve been here for over a year, and built on my strength. I’ve seen my abilities progress… I can ride a bike longer, walk longer, lift heavier. Andrew is super personable, he’s a funny guy who likes to joke around, but he makes you work. He coaxes you into doing things, he has that smirk…it makes you really want to workout. I also appreciate that I LOVE to come here…on the morning of my workout, I’m like, “YES! What’s going to happen today?” Part of it is Andrew’s infectious personality, but it’s also knowing the work I’m doing here is beneficial to me. He has a lot of knowledge and knows what is best for me…and he tailors each workout for me.
I’ve heard from lots of people that “you use it or you lose it”, meaning that the older you get, the harder it is to maintain your physical fitness… and that the more you do now, the better off you’ll be later. That is especially true for me. I told Andrew: “My goal here is to become stronger so I can maintain my physical fitness as long as possible.”
Sam and Coach Andrew
Sarah O: Are there any physical tasks/activities you had ruled out due to MS that are now back on the table? How has this changed your mindset & goals moving forward?
Sam W: I have definitely seen improvements in my gait and balance as a result of my work with Andrew. I notice it going out for a walk, I can walk further because I’m focusing on my form, using my core…it’s not all relying on my quads and then they’re tired. I have more lung capacity. I’m able to work out harder for longer than when I first came in.
Sarah O: What’s next for 2023?
Sam W: I’m a big Peloton person, I love it. I want to increase my numbers, and I’ve already started to do that. But I need to do more than just ride the bike. I need to do the strength training which I do here, and I need to do more yoga which I used to do. I need a more well rounded fitness routine… I want to do more. Working out here has helped me to be able to do more, which is helping me achieve a goal…like strength training twenty days a month, something I wasn’t able to do years ago. I feel like I’m building on something which makes me happy.. You know, who doesn’t like a big endorphin rush? The emotional part…keeping your brain active… that comes together as with the physical aspect.
Sarah O: What would you tell a client about TFL who is on the fence about joining or dealing with a physical challenge/diagnosis?
Sam W: This is a very welcoming and friendly environment. If you’re apprehensive, this is the place to come. You’re going to meet some great people here, you’re going to want to come back. I wish The Form Lab had been here ten years ago, but I’m so grateful it’s here now. I’m meeting people and feeling good about where I am in my life physically right now. It’s totally worth it. You know what they say… your health is your wealth.
