WAC Magazine

October 2012

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"HUMAN CONNECTIONS ARE WHAT MAKE THE WAC A SPECIAL PLACE TO BEGIN WITH, DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER CLUB THAT YOU WORK OUT IN." Connecting with WAC Personal Trainer Will Hicks has led to dramatic improvements for member Staci Stringer. to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day—it is that bad for you." including The Circle of Simplicity and Slow Is Beautiful, as well as the forthcoming title Living Room Revolution: A Handbook for Conversation, Community and the Common Good, Andrews knows her stuff. She also holds a doctorate in education from Stanford University and is a member of the WAC Speakers Bureau. When someone experiences a high As the author of multiple books, level of wellness, she says, they feel energized and enthusiastic about life. Wellness instills a sense of excitement and can uplift those facing mental and physical challenges. health care communications professional diagnosed with psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis in 2005. She joined the WAC in December 2010, after a pulmonary embolism put her in the hospital and destroyed part of her lung. "I got out of there alive and said I need to make a huge change and focus on my health," Staci recalls. She got back to the Take the case of Staci Stringer, a gym and found trainer Will Hicks, who she calls "an amazing support system and friend." Will says Staci moves and functions much better since starting regular workouts nearly two years ago. Those closest to her have noticed other changes, as well. mood and happier," says the 26-year-old. Where she used to sit at home alone and lament her troubles, she now works out and volunteers as a coach with the Cascade Volleyball Club. Will helped her on both fronts. He also introduced her to other WAC members, who became quick friends. "Having those social connections helps me push through," Staci says. Andrews is hardly surprised to hear Staci's story. "My family tells me I'm in a better have a supportive family and good friends," she says. "But people don't understand that relationships with the community are important, too. Yes, it's important [to watch] what you eat and get exercise, but it's also important to socially connect. 28 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | OCTOBER 2012 well. They're not just getting people on exercycles, they're bringing people together." "This is what the WAC does so CIRCLE OF FRIENDS WAC Athletic Programs Manager Darin Barr says social connections play out again and again within the basketball, handball, golf and other WAC "clubs within the Club." "People understand that it's important to "Guys will come in and play basketball, and after a while they get to know the other guys beyond basketball," he says. Relationships built on the court often lead to group outings such as golf trips and fishing adventures. "The friendships blossom over the years," Darin continues. They also span generations. "People know each other's kids, what schools the kids go to. If you take the time to participate in the sport, pretty soon you're participating in this

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