Alumni Fitness and Gardening

Embracing a healthy lifestyle involves a combination of exercise, fostering a sense of community, and spending quality time outdoors. This summer, at YC’s Westlake headquarters, alumni participants get to experience all three of these things every Thursday.

During the fitness sessions, Alumni Program Associate Sean Walker asks a discussion question to get everyone chatting. Then, Alumni Program Coordinator Sara Steimle engages the group in a diverse range of exercises, including breathing techniques, arm stretches, and running in place. Once warmed up, they dive into weight training in the fitness center, utilizing resistance bands and other equipment to build strength and endurance. New this year, Development Coordinator and fellow alumna participant Jen Taggart is helping lead the program. On one rainy day when it was too wet to garden, she led an improv activity that got everyone laughing!

After fitness, alumni participants tend to the garden, growing plants. In 2021, Alumni Engagement Manager Lisa Friel’s dad, Pat McCafferty, helped transform the courtyard into a garden by building raised flower beds. For the last several years, alumni participants have enjoyed summer gardening. This fall, they will have the opportunity to harvest their vegetables, fruits, spices, and other plants to create delicious food at a Farm-to-Table program in conjunction with YP4YC. Alumni brainstormed potential ideas for what to plant, including cilantro, mint, tomatoes, peppers, green onions, lavender, and oregano. We can’t wait to see what they cook up!

We look forward to the rest of the summer growing our muscles and green thumbs with alumni participants!