Meet Noelia

When Noelia moved from Texas to Grand Rapids in April 2024, she knew only her family. Adjusting to her new life was challenging, and she struggled with both her mental and physical health. After being diagnosed with early-onset dementia, the thought of establishing an exercise routine and building a healthy lifestyle felt overwhelming.

In the summer of 2024, Noelia’s daughter encouraged her to visit MVP Rockford and she was immediately impressed by the variety of amenities, the clean facility, and the friendly staff. “Everyone was so nice that I wanted to come back,” said Noelia.

Before joining MVP Rockford, Noelia struggled with her walking and balance and did not feel confident in her ability to exercise. After becoming a member she began to slowly build a sustainable exercise routine. “I used to tell myself I couldn’t do something because I was too old, and now I am trying new things and talking to new people,” she explained.

Noelia began walking consistently and after hearing about Well-Fit classes, she stepped out of her comfort zone and explored as many as possible. “I found that I not only liked a lot of the classes, but my balance also improved,” she said. As she became more comfortable, Noelia also gained confidence. “I could barely walk when I first started, and now I’m averaging 18,000 steps a day.”

Noelia wasn’t the only one who noticed improvement. Her daughter Angie also noticed her mom’s progress. “To me, MVP was just an exercise gym that I hoped my mom would go to occasionally. I was really surprised when she started going more often and talking to me about all the people she has met,” said Angie.

Unexpectedly, Noelia’s exercise routine also led to improvements in her dementia symptoms, with both her and Angie noticing positive changes in her memory. “The neurologist also started noticing the changes and remarked how different my mom looked from her first visit,” explained Angie.

For Angie, MVP became a place where she could watch her mom regain control over her health and embrace a healthier, more consistent lifestyle. “MVP has given my mom back to me, and for that, I am extremely grateful,” she said.
Now, Noelia visits the club about four times a week. She spends her time walking on the track, attending as many Well-Fit classes as possible, and especially enjoys using the therapy pool and hot tub. More than the exercise, her favorite part of the club is the MVP community. She loves socializing between workouts, connecting with friends from the club, and has become a beloved member of the MVP community.

Noelia highlighted a time when the MVP community became especially meaningful after she experienced a medical emergency at the club. “The staff immediately got me help. I took a few days off, and during that time, I got a call from staff checking to see if I was alright. When I came back, so many people came up to me saying how much they missed me,” she said. “That moment showed me I’m more than just a member, I’m a friend.”