Wave House Athletic Club Spotlight

In the fall of 2009, just months after my hip replacement surgery, I relocated to San Diego from upstate New York (per doctor’s orders). I could not survive another cold winter and needed to move to a warmer climate in an effort to recover from chronic Arthritis, Sciatica, Neuropathy from Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure.

Upon arrival in San Diego I was virtually bedridden from severe joint and back pain for a few months. After months of slow progression, I still couldn’t walk without the assistance of a cane and because I’d been sedentary for so long; I’d put on a lot of weight.

One saving grace for me was living so close to Mission Bay, where I would (and still do) visit every day, sit in my car and meditate. I eventually managed to work my way to the nearest bench to sit and then worked my way to another bench walking a little further each day. After 2 weeks of walking through pain, I realized this is not working. I sat there staring at the sparkling bay and came to the realization that water exercise would be the best fit for me. I went online in search of a facility that offered a water exercise program and the very first reference was Wave House Athletic Club. I immediately called the next morning and got some more information on AquaLogix and Arthritis Classes. I exhaled a sigh of relief (for the first time in more than 2 years), knowing that I was going to be alright and I’m going to finally take my life back!

I showed up the very next day (Thursday, March 25th, 2010) and the moment I met Claire (and the rest of the wonderful staff) I instantly felt the great energy and signed up. I recognized how much everyone genuinely cared and I knew I was in good hands. The next morning I took my first AquaLogix and Arthritis Aerobics Classes back to back, and I have never looked back!

Currently I take AquaLogix and Arthritis Aerobics 6 days a week and have progressed to Rehab Pilates twice a week. Between this exercise regimen and proper diet, I have lost 47lbs (of my 110lb goal) and now walk up-right (standing my full 6’6”) without a cane for the last 4 months. On a scale of 1-10, I have gone from a pain level of 13 down to a 3. I’m also reversing my Type 2 Diabetes and blood pressure. Although I will eventually have my other hip replaced, I have managed to strengthen my muscles and joints through exercise and taking supplements (Omega 3, Fish Oil Caps, & Vitamin D) thus extending the need for surgery by at least, another year.

Before

After

In the last four months I have become a spokesperson/advocate for the Pacific Region, Arthritis Foundation. I do volunteer work, expos and speaking engagements where I share my story of the effects Arthritis has had on my life and how I managed to gain control of it.

My career as a recording artist and entertainer had suffered greatly as well from my health; I hadn’t worked in more than two years. I felt so lost and disconnected from my life because my condition impeded my ability to do the work that I’m so passionate about. I couldn’t accept long distance engagements because I could no longer fly. Eventually I couldn’t work the simplest local gig because I couldn’t walk out on stage without a cane or walker, or perform standing (I had to sit on a stool for the entire concert).

The last concert that I performed in 2009, I sat throughout the entire concert in excruciating pain the entire time. I vowed the next time I step out on stage, it is going to be as a whole person and I will do it standing! On July 11th, 2010, I’d fulfilled that vow when I performed in Bel Air, at “The Vibrato Grill”. I walked out on stage without the assistance of a cane and I performed standing through most of the (two, 1hour set) concert, without being forced to sit from writhing pain.

I am officially returning to the stage and into the studio like “The Phoenix That Rose from the Ashes,” and for that I am blessed. I am so very grateful and live everyday with an “Attitude of Gratitude!”

I want extend my sincerest ‘thank you’ to Tyler, Claire and everyone at Wave House Athletic Club. And an extra special thanks to the awesome Instructors, Nicole, Carme, K.L., and Jeff for their gracious support and encouragement, and for making each and every one of us who put on a floatation belt, hop in the pool, or role out a mat feel special. You have no idea how much each of you have impacted my life.

If you have seen a new face around the pool then say hello to Charly Sporleder, the new pool manager of the Wave House team. Charly has spent his life in and around swimming pools. At the age of 6 he began swimming competitively. In high school he got involved in aquatics as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Later he became a head swim coach & lifeguard instructor.

His love of the water moved him progressively into the areas of business & marketing in aquatics. He has managed several aquatics programs in San Diego, including non-profit, fitness and military pools. His experience in all facets of pool operations and aquatics programming give him a breath of knowledge that helps him relate to his employees. Charly states, “My passion for swimming as well as my love for kids has made this an unbelievable experience and gratifying journey for me.”