Month: June 2019

I Can Do Anything I want

Written by Erin Mrozek

Meet Jennifer Sweeney, a friend, daughter, mother (to her dog Muffin), cancer survivor, and one of the strongest people you will ever meet. She was one of our I Can champions last year, and her story was so inspiring that people contacted Siel Bleu to find out how they can get as fit as her. After making a lasting impact on the Siel Bleu staff, and those who were touched by her story, we decided to make her our poster child for this year’s I Can campaign.

In 2014, Jennifer was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, where she went through radiation and chemotherapy, and the beaming light that is Jennifer started to fade. The treatments completely, “flattened her out,” leaving her to feel exhausted, and downtrodden, unable to be the active person she once was. Fast forward to 2016, a friend of hers, who lives on the opposite side of Dublin, had been going to a Siel Bleu community class in Bray, and rejoiced about her experience. Jennifer, searching for a way to feel like herself again, contacted us. Due to her extreme fatigue, she was unable to drive to the classes, but thankfully we have the option of one to one programmes. This is the story of how Jennifer got her spark back.

Immediately, Jennifer and her personal trainer at the time, Paul, had great rapport. She describes her first sessions with him as, “great, because he caught on to my abilities right away, and very gently he would push, but not too much.” This is not unlike many of the experiences of other participants, as our trainers are not only highly educated, but empathetic, and personable. When she started, she was only able to do exercises at the kitchen table, sitting down, and standing up. The same person after 6 months was able to do 150 squats, which is a considerable amount, even for the avid gym goer! Every year she goes to Turkey for holiday, and during the interview she jokes that everyone there calls her Jennifer Lopez, because the famous singer and actress is known for her backside.

Sean, her current trainer, remarks how far she has come, even from that moment. When he first met her she only wanted to do exercises she was familiar with, and at the beginning was not too fond with change. Overtime, her sessions progressed, and he added more exercises to her repertoire. He conveys, “Seeing her step out of her comfort zone has been the best/biggest achievement of our time together.”

Her trainer is not the only one who has noticed a difference in her. Finn, Jennifer’s best friend of 20 years, exclaims, “She’s fitter and stronger than I am!” At first, Finn was skeptical about the programme, fearing that a personal trainer might push Jennifer too hard, and end up injuring herself. Yet, as time went on, she saw how the programme has impacted her both physically, and mentally. From helping her get through gloomy winter days in Ireland, to being able to carry her dog, Muffin, up and down the stairs. Jennifer proves that strength does not come from age, or physical attributes, rather it comes from never surrendering to the obstacles that are placed in front of you. For anyone considering Siel Bleu for themselves, or a loved one, let me leave you this, “It’s not about miraculous achievement, it’s the fact that you are doing something… you feel better and if you feel better, you’ll perform better.” — Jennifer

Jennifer is featured in our I Can 2019 ad

To read more in depth on Jennifer’s story checkout her feature in the Irish Examiner: http://bit.ly/ICanExaminer

You can also watch Jennifer’s video from last year’s campaign here.

To try a Siel Bleu One to One Programme call 01 209 6889 or email info@sielbleu.ie For more information on One to One Programmes

Don’t forget to follow us  follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

I Can Do Anything I want

Written by Erin Mrozek

Today we are catching up with one of our I Can champions from last year, Noel McLoughlin, who has motivated others through his joyful spirit and optimistic attitude. You may remember from last year, this astounding man whose slogan was “I Can walk 9km!” He opened up about his journey from having a devastating stroke to how Siel Bleu changed his life. This is Noel’s one year recap.

After having multiple strokes, Noel joined the Stroke Survivor’s support group in Tallaght which is run in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation. They used to have doctors, dieticians, and nurses come in and do talks with them. One day one of the nurses who ran the group looked around and realised that all they were doing was sitting around. Noel recollects the nurse expressing, “We have to do better than this.” In 2017, Siel Bleu started to bring exercise classes to the support group. What initially began as 4 people has grown to around 30 people participating in the class on a weekly basis. These people that used to be strangers are now his dear friends, as they go bowling, walk through gardens, and view museums. Noel’s first week was difficult as he had not been exercising for a long time but, by the second week he was already getting the hang of it. Now, if he is sitting down and watching the television, he will do some of the chair exercises, such as lifting his legs up and down.

Even a year later Noel is still improving, and progressing. Many people know of the physical effects of a stroke, such as losing movement in your arms, or having problems with your speech. However, Noel suffered silent effects, ones that affect his mental health. Before he started being active he would have emotional outbursts multiple times a week, where he could cry for 15 minutes at a time. Now through the Siel Bleu exercise classes he is able to control his mood swings better, to where he may have one every other month. By building up his stamina through the classes he found his love for walking. This has also been a tremendous help for his mental health, as Noel conveys, “I come back a different man after taking a walk.” He has now built up to walking 10 km, and can easily go for two hours without stopping! Furthermore, he is able to keep up with his grandchildren even after they are hyped up on sugar from giving them a chocolate biscuit, or two.

Outside of the class, Noel is a role model for his community to get out and be active. Every time he goes out for a walk he invites his neighbours to join him. For instance, he inspired a man who had lost the ability to use his arms due to a stroke, and thought would never be active again, to start walking. Noel discloses, “I love talking to people, and telling them to get out of the house… don’t sit down all day, go for a small walk, and it gets better, and better as you go along.” For those who cannot make it to an exercise class, he has brought a piece of Siel Bleu to the neighbourhood by showing them small exercises to do on their own. Wherever Noel is, he is constantly encouraging and uplifting those around him. If you ever meet this brilliant man, you might just be lucky enough to be asked to go for a walk with him.

You see Noel’s video from last year’s I Can Campaign here

If you would like more information about Siel Bleu’s Stroke Survivor Classes 

Don’t forget to follow us  follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Check out our I Can ad for 2019

We Can Exercise To Socialise – The Ladies Of Laurencetown

Written by Erin Mrozek

Imagine yourself full of excitement, and anticipation as you are heading to your favourite event of the week, a Siel Bleu exercise class. You open the doors to see welcoming faces, new and old friends, awaiting your arrival. The trainer enters the room, and the class commences. During the class, you look around, and as everyone is working out, people are laughing, smiling, and genuinely enjoying themselves. As soon as class ends, the group sits down for tea, and a chat, as they talk about what is going on in their lives. When you leave the class, you smile to yourself, knowing how much you have gained from this class, physically, and mentally. This is the experience of many of the women from the Ladies of Laurencetown.

Three years ago, Laurencetown local Loraine Pardy was seeking a health initiative that she could bring to her beloved hometown. With a quick search on the internet, she discovered Siel Bleu Ireland on the Change X platform and got in contact straight away. Three years later, the ladies of Laurencetown come together once a week to exercise in the comfort of their own town with their neighbours. Ranging from late fifties to mid eighties, each week the Ladies of Laurencetown gather in their local community centre to exercise under the guidance of Siel Bleu Physical Trainer, Aisling Warburton. Classes take place on Thursday evenings at 7 pm.

Anytime you start something new, people can become apprehensiveness, and intimidated, especially when it comes to an exercise programme. Yet, when it comes to a Siel Bleu class, like the one in Laurencetown, you will have nothing to worry about. Everyone who attends the class is coming from all over, and each one has a different background, and abilities. Veronica Walsh, age 68, a longstanding member of the class notes, “Do what you can, it is all that matters,” as her friend Freida Kenny, age 73, adds, “I never knew how good it was going to be, just come and see!” They even gushed about their trainer, Aisling, saying how she is very clear in her instructions, has the best manner, interacts well with any age group, and is overall a lovely person.

Beyond the physical benefit from working out, the Ladies of Laurencetown are fond of the social aspect of the class. After class, Loraine makes a cup of tea for everyone, and from there the group gets together to talk, and laugh. The whole group would agree that you are not just receiving an exercise class, but are developing relationships, and getting a sense of community. Even though these women like to have fun, they are highly motivated. Siel Bleu Trainer, Aisling, who runs the class, conveys, “they are always wanting to be challenged, and improve, as they are interested in being active, and staying active.” One of the women, Nancy Shiels, 82, mentioned how she does exercises at home, and goes out for walks in the evening to keep up her strength, and stamina.

When asked the question: Is there anything you can do now, that you could not do prior, or that is easier to do?, the women had a lot to say. From being able to clean windows to going up the stairs without having to hang on to banisters, their day to day lives have improved immensely. Moira Kelly, age 72, shares how it makes such a difference, because it keeps them limbered up, and that how when one of the ladies missed one week they started to feel stiff again. It shows the importance, and the reasoning of why these ladies are so consistent, and love it all year round.

To bring Siel Bleu to your community call 01 209 6889 or email info@sielbleu.ie For more information on Siel Bleu Community Programmes 

Don’t forget to follow us  follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Check out our I Can Campaign ad