Currently, I serve as the Director of Community Initiatives for the YMCA of Broward County. Our association office is located in Ft. Lauderdale and we have centers and programs throughout Broward County, a diverse community with a population of nearly 2 million residents. My office oversees the program development and community partnerships specifically in the areas of Health, Wellness, and Aquatics throughout our facilities and community based programs. I secure funding from a variety of grant-making sources to improve the health, wellness, and safety across all ages and demographics in our service area and work on sustainable strategies to ensure the programs’ success.
In my career with the YMCA and as a faculty trainer with YUSA and EnhanceFitness program, I have had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States to train instructors and master trainers to implement programs in conjunction with state and local governmental and public health agencies. The opportunity to work with people in such diverse areas as Massachusetts, Seattle, The White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona, Southeastern Oklahoma, Detroit, Minnesota, West Virginia, Chicago, and South Florida has expanded my views on health interventions and further confirmed that the investment in preventative programs yields a phenomenal return on investment and should be available to all. The experiences I gain as a national trainer help to expand and enrich our local programs. Additionally, the constant feedback loop of the local programs I manage make for greater trainings throughout the country.
I have arrived at the term “Exercise Sociologist” in a never ending attempt to come up with an answer to the question, “So what do you do?”. Well, my job is to take the evidence-based programs and community health interventions and assist administrators and instructors how to apply them in their unique cultural, geographic, and economic situation. Therefore, it’s much more than simply teaching instructors how to teach classes. If we approached the programs without considering the unique situation into which they are being placed, they would fail. Successful implementation depends on delivering evidence-based programs according to protocals, but identifying the unique challenges or opportunities of each setting which must be addressed. The opportunity to meet so many wonderful people throughout the country working on the same goal, healthy communities, makes this such an amazing job.
I welcome your comments and questions about the program either on this blog or by email at crawford.andi@gmail.com
Stay well and I look forward to hearing from you!!
This is so awesome! You go, girl!
Andi-all I can say is WOW! What a great idea, and it is spreading to so many places. They couldn’t have a better trainer, or someone who understands people better. I will keep checking to see where you go next.
Congratulations Andi. It’s obvious how much time & dedication you have put forth into this project!!
Andi, Very impressive. You’re energy is very contagious! I’m glad to say I know you! Thanks for bringing me in. I love teaching Enhance Fitness!
Very cool! I love all the personal touch and stories about the places you’ve been. It’s great to see someone special have such an impact on so many people, and I never realized this was something you started yourself – way to go Andi! Thanks for sharing, maybe we should do this at my church when the Detroit area picks it up.
Thanks everyone. Cindi, I didn’t actually start it myself. I was just very fortunate to be at the development of this in Michigan at the same time we were applying for a large CDC grant in this state. The opportunity arose and I’m happy to be a part of this great program.
Hi Andi,
I just took your class and it was great! I am very exited about starting to work in my site. Enhanced Fitness ROCKS!!
Beatriz it was a pleasure working with you this week. I look forward to hearing about the success of your program!
Hey Andi remember me? Tammi from Broken Bow Oklahoma, karoake? lol…I didnt know you moved to Florida until I got to McAlester for our LLLS refresher and I asked about you….looks like your doing good I will try to stay in closer contact
Hi Tammi! Of course I remember you from Oklahoma. Great times at Karoke–I tell that story a lot about studying for the practical on the dance floor! Hope all is well
Hi Andi,
I took your class yesterday and what an inspiration you are. I’m so motivated to start helping my fellow senior citizens to have a better quality of life thanks to the Enhance Fitness Program.
Hi Georgianna! It was great having you in class last week. You will be a great inspiration to those in your community. Congratulations on your decision to become an instructor–have fun!!
Love the term Exercise Sociologist! Fantastic work, Andi! Paige, EFMT/Seattle
Hi Paige, glad you like it. Where do you teach in Seattle and how long have you been with the program?
~ 12 years. I teach at SnoValley Sr Ctr in Carnation and am the Master Trainer for King County.
Its very interesting perusing through your blog and seeing images of the work you do. Have you ever used rebounders to aid patients? A friend of mine, who is a psychologist, reccomends it to her patients – it seems to help their moods, I think it’s something to do with rebounding really stimulating blood flow. I use one myself and I basically find it to be one of the most enjoyable exercises that I have ever come across. Anyway, thank you for sharing and all the best to you!
hi my name is ANNA MARIE GOODAY and im the daughter of lorrine jeffa