People with “Parkinson’s” are Fighting Back!
Rock Steady Boxing at Advance Fitness / Melbourne Fl
Boxers and Classes:
RSB at Advance Fitness in Melbourne, FL joined the Rock Steady family in April 2018. Owner and coach Janice Moia began with four boxers and has grown her program to include over 35 boxers and has already knocked down walls to create more space. She offers 11 classes a week, M-W-F 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and M-W at 5:30 p.m. Eight of her classes are for 1-2 and some 3’s and three classes are offered for her 3-4’s to give them the extra attention they need.
Additionally, Janice is excited to be starting a class on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Level 3 and 4 boxers. She’s thrilled to offer this new class because her boxers in wheelchairs really benefit when they get more one-on-one attention which is hard to do in larger classes.
Coaches:
RSB at Advance Fitness has four certified coaches. Owner and coach Janice Moia worked as a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) for 20 years in an outpatient setting, so she has lots of experience working with people with Parkinson’s. She loves the challenges in creating a workout that meets all the needs of those fighting back against PD and the daily rewards of seeing them improve their skills, not only with boxing, but with balance, overall strength, and cognitive improvements.
Dan Fournier is a fighter who became an RSB coach last summer. He is great at helping the new folks get acclimated to the program and is an inspiration to everyone. He has first-hand knowledge of the disease and always takes the time to sit and answer all the questions they have.
Gail Means recently joined as an RSB coach. She is a retired school teacher of special needs kids and was looking for something to do in her spare time. She has been involved with fitness most of her life and loves
having the opportunity to see growth in all the boxers and the smiles on their faces when they complete a task they didn’t think they could do.
Susie Wallace is the wife of an RSB at Advance Fitness boxer who helps out when she can and while Janice is on vacation. She has been a personal trainer for over 20 years and was also around boxing most of her childhood as her father was a boxer. She loves coaching because it is a chance to make a positive change in people’s lives, not just physically, but socially and mentally as well.
What was your motivation for opening an RSB Affiliate?:
Janice was motivated to start her RSB Affiliate as a result of the people with Parkinson’s she was working with in her personal training sessions. Additionally, her father battled Parkinson’s for over 15 years. Sadly, he passed away in 2002, so she has always had a soft spot in her heart for those fighting the disease.
Favorite Tip to Share:
The boxers at RSB at Advance Fitness love the challenges presented to them and how it is always different every time they come. They say it keeps them on their toes! Another part they love is the camaraderie, and the support system they have with each other. They call themselves “family.”
What is unique about RSB at Advance Fitness:
Janice took what she learned in Indianapolis and created her program to mirror headquarters in almost every aspect. Seeing the thought process behind each workout and the “why’s” behind it, as a PTA, she was so intrigued! No longer working as a PTA and strictly as a personal trainer was not as fulfilling as she had hoped, but after seeing what the RSB program had to offer, she now has the best of both worlds! Getting to use her PT background to the fullest and her personal training has changed her life!
2176 Sarno Road, Suite 102 Melbourne, Fl 32935