Resilience, Recovery, and the Power of Personal Training

At Big Sky, every member has a story. Today, we’re proud to highlight Doug – a longtime Big Sky member whose dedication, resilience, and positive attitude are truly inspiring.

Doug first found Big Sky because he lives in town and was introduced to the gym by his daughter, who became a member before him. Prior to joining, Doug had been working out at a smaller gym at his workplace. But when he retired in 2018, he realized he had been stuck doing the same exercises he had been doing since high school — and he knew it was time for something new.

After about four years of working out at the gym on his own, Doug decided it was time to take the next step and hired a personal trainer. He began working with Bonnie, one of our incredible coaches at Big Sky Simsbury!

After about 8-10 months of training together, Doug was unexpectedly diagnosed with a tumor in his lung that required surgery. Throughout this challenging time, Doug credits Bonnie for getting him physically prepared for what turned out to be a very invasive surgery—and for helping him recover afterward.
“I felt like a beaten man after surgery,” Doug recalls. “But there was never any doubt I would resume training with Bonnie.”

With steady commitment and determination, Doug worked his way back, focusing on rebuilding his strength and endurance with Bonnie’s support. Now, he shares,
“Life is good. I feel as good as I have in several years… certainly good for my age!”

Doug’s favorite things about Big Sky?
➡️ The trainers
➡️ The equipment
➡️ The upkeep
➡️ The spacious floor layout
➡️ And most of all, the fact that the staff always greets members by name.

His advice for others, especially those who may have an “old-school” approach to fitness:

“Without any doubt, hire a trainer, if only for 6 months. You’ll learn a lot about keeping in shape.”

Doug’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to invest in your health and fitness, and that having the right support can make all the difference.

Thank you, Doug, for being part of the Big Sky family!