Hello, an introduction.
Posted: 09 March 2015, 18:19
I'm Ben, and so far I really enjoy this community. Lot's of nice people to play a ton of fun games with. I'm a 30 year old married man in school for Physical Therapist Assisting. I've been a certified personal trainer for the past several years and that's part of why I've been transitioning into PTA, it's really just a great extension of what I love doing, which is helping people feel better in their own bodies. I'm not your stereotypical meat head trainer, I'm more of a wellness geek and a body nerd. Over the past several weeks I've been thinking about our geek culture (video games, sci-fi, fantasy novels, rpg's, collectible card games, tabletop board games, I've done them and love them all) and the general state of our health and well being.
After spending time at several of my local shops the one thing that is always evident is that regardless of body type, shape, size, etc; gamers are on the average, really awesome people, but the level of health or perhaps better stated, wellness is not always as awesome. My parents had this couple who were their friends, and they were so cool. They went to sci-fi conventions, played high-end computer games (of the era, this was early 90's mind you), came over to watch Star Trek the Next Generation with us. The sad reality is that both of them passed away a long time ago now, and the reality is that their weight and lifestyle choices likely played a role in their early deaths. My hope is that I can find a way to be impactful in helping individuals in the geek and gaming community make modifications to their lives that will give them days, weeks, months, or even years of extra time to game, laugh, share in triumphs, and suffer crushing defeats at the hands of their friends.
Change generally isn't easy, but I'm not wanting anyone to do a turn around over night, unless that's what they feel compelled to do. I want to be a resource for others in giving sound counsel for starting with baby steps and trying to slowly change the long term outcomes. If anyone has a health question, needs some encouragement or motivation, or just doesn't know where to start, please reply in this forum or send me a private message. I'm not looking for compensation I'm just looking to put my skills to work for our community. Feel free to introduce yourself here, say hi, or tell me that this is a terrible idea and it'll never work... or if you have any suggestions on how I could deliver my message in a non-offensive, positive, and productive way I'd really love to hear that too.
Thanks so much if you managed to read this whole thing, and an even bigger thanks if you respond.
Sincerely,
Ben Merk
After spending time at several of my local shops the one thing that is always evident is that regardless of body type, shape, size, etc; gamers are on the average, really awesome people, but the level of health or perhaps better stated, wellness is not always as awesome. My parents had this couple who were their friends, and they were so cool. They went to sci-fi conventions, played high-end computer games (of the era, this was early 90's mind you), came over to watch Star Trek the Next Generation with us. The sad reality is that both of them passed away a long time ago now, and the reality is that their weight and lifestyle choices likely played a role in their early deaths. My hope is that I can find a way to be impactful in helping individuals in the geek and gaming community make modifications to their lives that will give them days, weeks, months, or even years of extra time to game, laugh, share in triumphs, and suffer crushing defeats at the hands of their friends.
Change generally isn't easy, but I'm not wanting anyone to do a turn around over night, unless that's what they feel compelled to do. I want to be a resource for others in giving sound counsel for starting with baby steps and trying to slowly change the long term outcomes. If anyone has a health question, needs some encouragement or motivation, or just doesn't know where to start, please reply in this forum or send me a private message. I'm not looking for compensation I'm just looking to put my skills to work for our community. Feel free to introduce yourself here, say hi, or tell me that this is a terrible idea and it'll never work... or if you have any suggestions on how I could deliver my message in a non-offensive, positive, and productive way I'd really love to hear that too.
Thanks so much if you managed to read this whole thing, and an even bigger thanks if you respond.
Sincerely,
Ben Merk
