Kathleen’s Story: Strength, Connection, and Confidence

Kathleen first found Villages in 2020, at the height of COVID-19, when the world felt

uncertain and isolating. She had been active — playing pickleball several times a week — but realized that activity alone wasn’t helping her build the kind of strength she needed. When she joined Villages’ online exercise program, she expected a workout. What she discovered was a community.

Kathleen joined Maria’s balance classes and kk’s Tai Chi and meditation sessions. Each instructor offered something different: Maria challenged her balance and flexibility, while kk helped her find calm, focus, and breath — tools that would become essential during some of the most stressful moments of her life.

During COVID, Villages’ classes gave her something she didn’t realize she was missing — social connection. Seeing familiar faces on screen, sharing progress, and receiving encouragement from Maria and kk helped her feel less isolated and more supported.

Fitness That Travels with Her

When she moved from Santa Fe to her new home in South Carolina, she took Villages with her. When Kathleen was navigating the chaos of buying a new home, meditation became her anchor.

Living in South Carolina hasn’t slowed her down. In fact, one of her motivating factors for exercising is her love of golf. Golf demands strong quads, flexibility, balance, and mental presence — all things she builds through Villages’ classes. She plays regularly, including a weekly Wednesday game with two friends, and she credits her performance to the strength and mobility she maintains through her program. The online format lets her stay connected, consistent, and strong, all in the comfort of her home.

A Life Enriched Beyond Exercise

Kathleen’s connection with Villages extends beyond fitness. She also talks openly about the importance of physical preparation for travel — how staying strong and flexible makes trips more enjoyable and less taxing. For older adults, she believes this kind of training is essential. She shares stories, laughter, and life updates — including her recent Rhodes Scholar trip to Portugal, where she explored Lisbon, the coast, and Porto. She credits her exercise routine with Villages with enabling her to fully enjoy her trip to Portugal, with its many stairs and steep hills.

A Voice for Falls Prevention

Kathleen has taken fall-prevention classes and understands their value. She agrees that refreshers are important and supports Villages’ efforts to bring these programs to adult living facilities, libraries, and underserved communities. She knows firsthand how foundational strength and balance are — not just for safety, but for independence.

A Journey of Recovery and Purpose

During knee surgery, she used kk’s breathing techniques to stay centered and steady. She often says that Villages didn’t just help her get stronger — it helped her stay grounded. When Ann Church, from Villages, shared her own story of recovering from hip surgery — on crutches in May to surgery in October to traveling independently by December — Kathleen understood the deeper message — having a mission matters. For Ann it was a new grandbaby. For Kathleen, it’s staying strong enough to live fully, travel widely, and play the sport she loves.

Why She Recommends Village

She’s also been part of conversations about expanding online access — especially for older adults, rural residents, and those who are housebound. She sees Villages as a lifeline for people who need movement, community, and confidence but can’t easily leave home.

Kathleen tells others that Villages is more than an exercise program. It’s:

● Convenient — classes from home, with videos available afterward

● Supportive — instructors who care and a community that shows up

● Effective — strength, flexibility, balance, and calm, all in one place

● Social — a way to stay connected, even across states

She believes it’s especially valuable for older adults who need structure, camaraderie, and a reason to keep moving.