Lisa Beard has worked at the Wilkes Family YMCA for almost 7 years and is the Associate Engagement Director for Group Ex. And since then, she has become an integral part to the branch.
She first got involved with the Y in Charlotte and was drawn in by the child care services. “The free child care here. I had children that were 6
and 3 — and the 3-year-olds were twins — and I was a stay-at-home mom, so having a little escape was a great thing,” Lisa says. “That’s honestly when I first got into fitness.”
She started teaching classes at the Wilkes branch, which slowly turned into her role now. “I attended classes here and I really loved it and I thought that I’d love to help other people with it, too. And so I started teaching Bodyflow. So I taught one class and then just continued to build from there.”
She’s a familiar face at the Wilkes branch, and is appreciated by so many members. A recent Facebook post on the Wilkes page received tons of glowing reviews.
“I’m very humbled, taken by surprise. I mean, I’m just a cog in the wheel and I think that’s very sweet. I’m teary just you telling me that; humbled, and that’s really sweet.”
To her, the people and connections to members are what make the YMCA so special.
“There’s no judgement here, you have everyone from all different walks of life. It doesn’t matter what your path has been before. We’re all the same when we’re here. I think [the people are] the most important thing. I think exercise is secondary. It’s all about the connections to one another. I think that’s the bonus that you get when you’re here, it’s the workout.”