Our members are our greatest assets and there is no better way to tell the Midtown story than by delving into theirs.
Kelly hard at work.
Kelly Johnson is a local firefighter and long-time Midtown member who recommitted herself to fitness two-and-a-half years ago.
Here’s what keeps her healthy and able to lift 60 pounds of equipment every day at her job.
What brought you to Chicago after living in Cyclone Country?
Kelly: Most of my friends were from the Chicagoland area so after graduating from Iowa State University, I thought it would be easier to find a job here. I worked for a year as a manager of a rental car company, and decided I didn’t like it, so I went back to school to become an EMT. I then changed jobs and worked for Superior Ambulance Service and gave myself a year to get into paramedics school. I graduated in 1992 and after six years, started at the Broadview Fire Department in 1998. I then started working for the Clarendon Hills Fire Department in 2000.
Why did you join Midtown?
Kelly: I joined in December of 2008 but once my dad died in April of 2009, I really began using the club often. He died of lung cancer but had had several heart attacks and was diabetic. I saw my family’s health history of heart attacks and diabetes and was scared; my aunt also had diabetes and died of a massive heart attack and so did my grandfather. It was not a path I wanted to head down.
The second reason is because of my job and how physical it is. I have to be able to do the same amount of work, if not more, as the guys and I didn’t want to get injured on the job. Whether my coworker is a fit 21-year-old rookie or a guy retiring in his 60s, I have to be able to wear an air pack, carry equipment, and lift heavy people, just like they do.
What triggered the renewal of your commitment to fitness?
Kelly: The major things that happen with people in our line of work are heart attacks; disability injuries, including shoulder, knee, and back injuries; or burnout from stress. Police officers and firefighters have a higher rate of alcoholism and domestic violence and I think a lot of it is because they don’t have an avenue to de-stress.
I know my personality and it’s difficult for me to let things roll off my back and I carry it for a long period of time so I needed to find a way to de-stress. Sleep was also an issue. I would lie down and think about everything that happened that day. My body was tired but my mind wasn’t shutting off. By working out, it’s helped me know that when I lie down, I can go to sleep.
How has working out and training at Midtown helped you?
Kelly's other motivation, her niece Keira.
Kelly: It’s helped decrease injury and if I have an injury I’m able to get back up and in service faster. For example, a few months ago, I hurt my back, but I still came in to the club. We had to alter the workout a little bit but normally that injury would have knocked me out a lot longer, if I hadn’t been working out.
So between working out with you and Pilates with Paula, it made it so my injury wasn’t catastrophic and I didn’t have to take off time from work. It’s also improved the two serious injuries I sustained to my left shoulder and my right lower back.
I want to be able to retire and not be like some of these guys that are walking out with bad injuries that require multiple surgeries. When I retire I’m going to be 53 and to me, 53 years old is still very young.
I want to feel good when I leave.
Plus, I don’t want to be like the rest of my family members, taking medication for being diabetic or having a heart attack. And cosmetically I want to look nice, keep my weight down and feel good about how I look. I want to be able to put on a pair of jeans and love how I look.
What are some of your favorite aspects of the Club?
Kelly: The answer is you and Paula! I also enjoy the hot tub. It’s my reward, it’s my “Zen” time. It’s a time where I can sit and not focus or think about anything. I enjoy watching the ladies that are in the pool and listening to their gossip when they come and sit down in the hot tub!
Do you have an inspiring story like Kelly’s to share? Send an email to nicole.duval@midtown.com. We would love to interview you for a future blog post.
