Linda H

More than 20 years ago, I decided to get a degree in Kinesiology, AKA Exercise Science, with a minor in Nutrition. My motivation came from when I was a little girl and just participating in PE was a miserable challenge. I didn’t understand why some children had greater abilities than others. Why could sit the wall for 45 minutes but after running a quarter of a mile I felt like I might just die? At 12 years old I passed out while standing. I often blacked out, became dizzy, lightheaded and weak. I was appearingly “fit”. After years of testing, no one knew what was wrong with me….still. I began lifting weights at 14 and throwing other girls as a cheerleader through high school. No matter how much I did, still exercise was a challenge. I wanted to know why I couldn’t tolerate exercise like every one else, so I wanted to peruse my studies in Exercise and Anatomy and Physiology. I got my personal training certification while finishing my schooling and worked as a trainer, and a fitness consultant for several health clubs, although I often worked multiple jobs at once to support myself because my family couldn’t afford to support me nor could they help me with college. Over my college years and during the year I lived in New York City and worked part-time as a trainer. I began to grow a accustomed to helping those that needed more of a gentle approach and understanding. I opted to take classes in Cardiac Rehab and also Cancer Rehab where we trained actual cancer patients. Once completing my degree, I immediately began working at a local hospital as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist working in Cardiac Rehab and some Stress testing. In Cardiac Rehab, we design custom exercise prescriptions for post Cardiac patients, who often had other conditions or diseases and we would cater to all of these things, and then while they exercise three times/week we monitor vitals including EKGs, Blood pressure, heart rate, symptoms, progress, medication side effects, and we would provide daily education on nutrition, exercise, stress management, etc and write medical reports and provide these to the Cardiologist on site. This job was very rewarding showing Cardiac patients that they can not only safely return to their lives, but showing them they can be stronger and more capable than before. We managed medical emergencies and were required to hold an ACLS certification (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), which is higher than a CPR certification. I worked as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist for 12 years. After having my first child, and losing a lot of blood after child birth, my symptoms of blacking out, etc worsened. I wanted to keep trying to figure out why I was different. I was strong and thin, and I was always told “it’s all in your head” and “mind over matter”. So I was an avid exerciser…who often laid on the floor to recover as my heart rate would easily be at 190bpm and I couldn’t cool down and would still frequently black out, especially post exercise. One day I asked one of the Cardiologists about my symptoms. After even more testing, I finally had a diagnoses, after 13 years of unknown symptoms. My doctor said, “let me guess, everyone says, you’re young, you’re fit, you’re fine, you’ll grow out of it?” I said yes. He said you are not alone, this is not in your head, this is very real and most people do not tolerate exercise. He said there’s not a lot we can do about it, but, there are a few things, and knowing what you have, and how to combat it, will help you. Now I have 2 daughters that have the same condition and I am sad I gave them my genes, but I’m so glad to know how to help them through it. I know all too well, that you can overcome a lot if you put your mind to it, like I did, but I also know that just like me and my Cardiac patients and even often Cancer patients, often you cannot see from the outside what our ailment is, HOWEVER, we cannot use this as a crutch or our lives will be shortened and our quality of life will be diminished if we don’t choose to exercise regularly, but we must know how to exercise safely and find the right motivation to do so. I have learned how to overcome and cope and be successful in many areas, though I also have ADD. I know that those with ADHD/ADD need regular exercise, but often struggle with routines and time management except in areas of high interest where hyper-focus is present. I was only diagnosed 10 years ago, yet, I have learned so much since then and would love to help train those who struggle with this as well, knowing the difficulties you face.