May ACTION Leader of the Month: Ari
May ACTION Leader of the Month: Ari
What do you love most about FITBuddies?
I like the friendships that have been created. Even though I don’t know everyone, I like how everyone’s been nice to everyone else.
What's your favorite music?
Hip-hop and rap.
These are a few of my favorite things…
I like going out for walks and playing golf.
What FITBuddies exercise move do you love most?
I’m pretty good at planks.
Why are you proud to be a FITBuddies ACTION leader?
Because the word leader I’d say perfectly describes me and even though people haven’t always told me that, I’ve always been one.
How does spending time at FITBuddies make you feel?
I feel pretty good. It actually depends — I’m normally pretty happy but sometimes I get kind of frustrated. I don’t show my frustration as much. It’s mostly before I go to FiT that I get frustrated; once I get there, I usually feel much better. Exercise makes me feel good.
More from Ari's parents and coaches!
What do you love most about FITBuddies?
I like the friendships that have been created. Even though I don’t know everyone, I like how everyone’s been nice to everyone else.
What's your favorite music?
Hip-hop and rap.
These are a few of my favorite things…
I like going out for walks and playing golf.
What FITBuddies exercise move do you love most?
I’m pretty good at planks.
Why are you proud to be a FITBuddies ACTION leader?
Because the word leader I’d say perfectly describes me and even though people haven’t always told me that, I’ve always been one.
How does spending time at FITBuddies make you feel?
I feel pretty good. It actually depends — I’m normally pretty happy but sometimes I get kind of frustrated. I don’t show my frustration as much. It’s mostly before I go to FiT that I get frustrated; once I get there, I usually feel much better. Exercise makes me feel good.
More from Ari's parents and coaches!
As a parent, what goals have you observed being achieved through FITBuddies?
Our goal is for Ari to be physically fit and active and for Ari to have more social interactions. His fitness sessions address both goals. He has come to enjoy exercising, interacting with the coaches and having fun with his friends during the monthly Friday Social Hour.
As a parent, what goals have you observed being achieved through FITBuddies?
Our goal is for Ari to be physically fit and active and for Ari to have more social interactions. His fitness sessions address both goals. He has come to enjoy exercising, interacting with the coaches and having fun with his friends during the monthly Friday Social Hour.
What skills learned at FITBuddies does Ari use in his daily life?
Ari is stronger which has really helped his golf game. He has learned to be more patient with different types of social interactions.
What skills learned at FITBuddies does Ari use in his daily life?
Ari is stronger which has really helped his golf game. He has learned to be more patient with different types of social interactions.
Health & Wellness programs for ALL abilities
Jen Pleimann
I was born somewhere in the middle of Missouri (Ava to be exact), mostly grew up in St. Louis (with detours to Conneticut and Illinois), had the priceless experience of living with my grandparents my last two years of high school and ended up at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for undergrad. I have had about twenty three different addresses in seven states and regardless of where I live or what coast I am on my family and friends (all scattered from coast to coast) are and always will be my rock, my motivators and my inspiration.
I always wanted to be a doctor or a nurse and was passionate about the healthcare industry at an early age. It was engrained in me that real life experiences as well as observing and listening to others in the industry would be critical to a successful career in the healthcare field. At thirteen, I began volunteering for the disabled and elderly in nursing homes and at fifteen I was in scrubs and a mask as a doctor’s assistant for oral surgery. I remember my freshman year advisor at UW’s Physician Assistant program drilling in me that it did not matter what my GPA was and that I would not be considered without hours and hours of real hands on experience. And so I began shadowing, volunteering and working three jobs…
I was a personal attendant for an individual with muscular spinal atrophy, shadowed occupational and physical therapist, was a behavioral therapist for children with autism and became a personal trainer. In the midst of all my jobs, I grew a deep love and compassion for those with chronic conditions. I developed a deeper understanding of everyday living, caregiving as well as the management of long term care, and I became passionate about helping these individuals improve their health.
After college, I moved to California and attempted two jobs : more home-based autism therapy and personal training. My niche in the training world was the “masters” (65+) and in the world of autism, I became focused on their health & wellness (and lack of resources and focus on addressing diet, exercise, sleep, etc). I then combined my passions and started, FITBuddies, small group training for teens and adults with special needs. I eventually established BuddiesInACTION with a focus on improving the health and wellness of individuals with Down Syndrome, Autism, and similar intellectual conditions.
Currently, my goal is to move BuddiesInACTION to the next level and expand our programs and services throughout the US. We look forward to reaching a wider population and creating more and more professional resources and opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Follow me on Twitter, Connect on LinkedIn, Learn more about FiT (where I train and where FITBuddies was started), Vidapost (my other company) and CollegeofAdaptiveArts (Chair of Board).