This year, Chad set an important goal of improving his health and wellness. He decided he would not only improve his health, but also create a space for others to do the same. His walking group has met consistently for over a month.
Chad took the initiative and started his own walking group that he calls “Steps with Chad.”
“I was working on losing weight, and one of my goals was to walk a lot and to help fix my back problems,” Chad shared when asked what inspired him to create his group. “I am still working on it and working on stamina. I feel a lot better now that I am losing weight! I am down to 291 pounds, and I am hoping to lose more!”
Chad explained that he structures the group's path for walking, including what day they meet and how far. Recently, the group has accomplished one trip around the entire building, which is further than when they first began. Originally, the group would only go halfway around the building, and now Chad has big goals for them.
“My goal is to do another half lap, then move to two full laps, then three around the building,” he said. “Eventually I hope we can take a walk to the bank and back, or towards the lumber yard. I am interested in getting to different locations, maybe even towards Lowes.”
While Chad has celebrated the group’s accomplishments, he also has his own personal aspirations.
“My personal goal is to not have any medical problems and to lose the weight, but I’d also like to have more than three people attend the group,” He shared. “Maybe even five or six; I really want to expand it. If one day I have five, I’d like to then take it up to six or seven.”
Chad goes out of his way to get his community involved to reach his goal of six to seven people.
“I talk to people and say, ‘Hey, do you want to join today?’ I encourage the ones who want to join,” he said. “This has changed my life because I get to connect with more people. In this group, we get to see community members come together, and a few people have said they love the group and they love the idea.”
When asked what his favorite part of being the leader of the walking group is, Chad said it ranges from the people to even being outside.
“My favorite part has been seeing people, talking to people, and working on my health,” He shared. “Also being able to be outside in the fresh air and getting some movement in.”
When Chad isn’t busy with Steps with Chad, he loves creating objects on the 3-D printer. He loves to create new toys and games. Between his walking group and hobbies, he is working on building what he calls ‘the new Chad.’ One that focuses on his health and being more open to others.
Chad has advice for others that are wanting to accomplish their goals, and he decided to share the great advice given to him when starting his own journey.
“I had two people give me really good advice; she says, ‘stay with it,’" he explained. “People tell me I’m looking good and looking better, looking lighter. I feel one hundred times better than I did. Keep going and don’t give up. Never surrender.”