LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA graduates Sharon Harris and coach Mike Muñiz along with fellow LIVESTRONG graduates Jon Beckner and Lisa Guthrie. (File photo)
Sharon Harris not only beat cancer, she overcame all the obstacles that come with treatment and is now in the best shape of her life thanks to her supportive Y family.
A standout member of that support system is her former LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA coach at the North Brandon Family YMCA: Mike Muñiz. “He brought knowledge, reliability while still promoting a fun environment. He supported his staff, encouraging them to find their niche and highlight their talents, while supporting members, encouraging us to believe in ourselves,” says Sharon, a breast cancer survivor. “When I joined Mike for LIVESTRONG, I lost 35 pounds, going from a size 16 to a 6, but most importantly found I loved group exercise and have gotten so much stronger, both physically and mentally. Yes, it was hard work on my part, but I attribute the consistency from Mike’s encouragement and knowledge of the human body and exercise.”
After she graduated the cancer survivor program, Sharon wanted continued success and now Mike is her new personal trainer. “He knows how to motivate me by changing classes, exercises, so I keep learning."
“I don’t think I have ever seen someone so adamant about helping me help others, it’s really heartwarming,” says Mike about Sharon. “With personal training, I empower members as we work together taking an all-encompassing approach to improve their overall health - physical, mental and even emotional.”
“Mike cares and truly enjoys helping people,” shares Sharon. “He started me on my wellness journey and I would not want to finish this without him. I feel very fortunate that I am now one of his clients and cannot wait to begin to train with him. I just want other members who are struggling - whether it is weight, fatigue - to know hope exists.”
Whether you need an accountability partner, some new exercises or your training for a race, the Tampa Y has a personal trainer for you. Learn more about personal and group training at the Y.