Dedicating This One to Danny!

February 17, 2021

I’ve been a member of the same workout club for almost a year now. It’s a unique space — the open area between my living room and dining room…

Most of us have probably found some little niche in our homes for the past year to do sit ups or a workout video. But my space has an added feature — Mr. Danny Lena, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8AM sharp, via FaceTime on my phone.

Danny is a personal friend, as is his wife, Marie. We’ve known each other for more than 15 years. Marie used to be my trainer, but she’s moved on.

Marie and Danny Lena

The three of us often joke about how the space, which is now my gym, has found us in the past drinking champagne and martinis and celebrating many holidays. And that keeps our enthusiasm alive for better days – and bigger parties — ahead.

In the meantime, my stretch bands are Velcroed to the stair rail, my dining room chair is my barre, my exercise ball has become another living room chair, and my weights and dumbbells keep company with my grandchildrens’ toys and stuffed animals.

But I’m sure most of us have an array of pandemic interests stacking up — including exercise equipment. After I ordered the essential balls, weights and bars, I would drag everything up and down to the lower level — just to keep the house tidy — but who comes over to judge my housekeeping? My equipment has blended into my furnishings!

Since this is the month of love and affection — I want to do a shout out to Danny. He’s kept me sane with a routine all these months. I feel like we meet with each other regularly although it’s been at least 10 months since I actually saw him.

Danny has a rich and varied career and past. He is a motivational speaker, an author, a former workout gym owner, a 4th degree Black Belt in Karate, a masterful chef, a personal trainer, and for many years, self-employed as a social media eMarketing guru for small and midsize businesses. He is also writing another book! Danny with friends

Danny and Marie during their competitive body building days.

In addition to training me, he sees Weight Watcher groups on Zoom both in Chicago and England, motivating and suggesting ways for the members to exercise, move and reach their goals.

Since my rotator cuff surgery in August, Danny has succeeded in slowly moving me to heavy arm bands, 8 – 10 lb. dumbbells and pushups. I can now reach up and out with both arms! (The folks at Athletico helped, too.)

I have Danny to thank every time I walk my dog for miles, run in and out of the car, up three flights of stairs, handle a snow shovel, balance on ice — and step on the scales.

I do tell him thank you every workout, but I don’t tell him how important he’s been as a pandemic savior! So this is for him…

Thanks so much, Danny!! You MOVE me!