Member Spotlight: Danny Jaillet

Danny and I started working together at an Anytime Fitness in the Winter of 2013. This was around the time when I came up with the goal of opening an inclusive fitness center after graduating. The owners of Anytime, Jim and Tina, were kind enough to give me my first opportunity to work in a gym (also training a young adult with Down Syndrome). This was my first experience as a trainer and definitely positively reinforced my decision to pursue this career.

1.) How long have you been a member at Unified Health and Performance?

I have been a member at Unified Health and Performance since its inception in July 2016.

2.) What are you training for at the gym?

I am training to get my legs and upper body stronger. I want to be able to increase my stamina and also continue to build on the strength I have in my legs.

3.) If you were to give me advice about the course of the gym as a business, what would you suggest?

Keep growing and maintain your message and your vision. That is easier said than done of course but there needs to be more gyms like yours available for people with disabilities. The concept of inclusion is not at the forefront of society too often, and having people like you who can give others a voice is very important and greatly appreciated.

Keep up the social media presence. Maybe even start a Twitter account with content pertaining to exercises and different ways to train. Getting your message and focus across as many mediums as you can will only help business. Who knows, one retweet could lead to thousands of retweets. Never be afraid to put your content out there. You never want to be left thinking "I should have done this." Showcasing your skills is important, and In today's fast-paced society, if you don't put yourself out there, particularly on platforms with large audiences, you could get left behind.

4.) What are your favorite things to do outside of the gym? What do you do for work?

I like to write and watch sports as well as hang out with friends. I write for a couple of websites online that focus on collegiate and pro sports. I also write for Pulse Magazine, a Worcester-based publication that covers topics related to the Central Massachusetts area.

5.) What are your goals for the next year?

My goals for next year are to be able to find a full-time job in the journalism industry as well as continuing to grow in the jobs I am working at now. There is always room for improvement. I also hope to continue to be a member of the gym and work towards getting even stronger than I am at this point in time.

6.) What is your disability? Can you identify any positives of it?

I have Cerebral Palsy, which in my case affects my motor skills and the strength in my legs. One positive about my Cerebral Palsy is that I am fortunate enough to be able to live an active life and also tell others about my disability. Many individuals who have CP are wheelchair-bound and have difficulty with speech and expressing themselves. I think it is very important for me to be able to spread awareness about Cerebral Palsy and have conversations with others about it. I have a very unique, but positive, set of circumstances and I want to be able to help out others as much as I can.