Participant Spotlight: A Life Changed Through the Get Up & Go Program

Participant Spotlight: A Life Changed Through the Get Up & Go Program

The YMCA's Get Up & Go program is designed to support families in making sustainable lifestyle changes through education, encouragement, and access to valuable wellness resources. In this inspiring participant story, one mother shares how the program became a turning point for her family—especially her daughter Kaydence. From emotional hardships and health concerns to renewed hope and tangible progress, this journey is a powerful reminder of compassion, community, and commitment's impact.

Giving Flowers While They Can Still Be Enjoyed: A Family's Journey Toward Health

From a young age, I was taught to "give people their flowers while they can still enjoy them"—to express gratitude and appreciation at the moment. Today, I want to do just that. On behalf of my family, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in this program. Your passion, dedication, and encouragement truly made an impact. You listened, empathized, and guided us toward transforming our mindset about nutrition and healthy living.

Our "Why"

I was skeptical at first. I wasn't sure if the program would work for us.

My daughter, Kaydence, has experienced tremendous emotional challenges over the past few years. She lost both of her grandmothers within a short period, and shortly afterward, our divorce meant she had to adjust to living between two homes. I carried a lot of guilt for the stress she was under, her sudden weight gain, and the possibility of a prediabetes diagnosis.

During her annual wellness visit, her pediatrician introduced us to this program. I was both surprised and excited—especially when I learned it was free and included a YMCA membership for our whole family. Free? I couldn't believe it! We quickly signed up, though I wasn't surprised to hear there was a waiting list.

When I received a call from Ms. Monica, I explained our unique situation—Kaydence lives between Mansfield and Fort Worth, and I wasn't sure how committed her father could be on the weekends. Without hesitation, Ms. Monica offered to speak with him directly to explain the program and answer his questions. To my surprise, we both showed up—for Kaydence and ourselves. And that made all the difference.

Having access to free workout classes and gym equipment was a huge plus. However, I'll admit that tracking meals and limiting "SLOW" and "WHOA" foods wasn't easy. There were moments when we felt like we weren't doing enough. But we pushed through.

The classes weren't just about nutrition and exercise—they helped us reflect on how we communicate with our children. We faced some uncomfortable truths about cultural norms and parenting styles. And we learned that getting it wrong sometimes is part of the process—and that's okay.

The Results

I dreaded Kaydence's next check-up with her pediatrician. While we had good weeks, we also had tough ones where we didn't quite meet our goals. Still, we kept going.

Kaydence wasn't feeling well at her appointment, so they tested her hemoglobin levels. I braced myself for bad news, but the results were expected. Looking back, it may have been due to sugar withdrawal symptoms—another sign that her body was adjusting to the healthier changes we were making.

A few days later, I received a letter from her pediatrician confirming that her BMI had improved. (See attached letter.) I broke down in tears when I read it. It may not seem like much to some, but for us, it meant everything—and we still had a few weeks left in the program.

Thanks to the program, Kaydence was so proud to know what BMI meant. She was thrilled to see tangible evidence of her progress. That pride and confidence in her voice is something I'll never forget.

To the entire team: your words, your actions, and your commitment made us feel like our health truly mattered. Small steps matter. Showing up matters. And this program matters.

Thank you for equipping us with the tools, knowledge, and support we need to continue this journey toward lifelong health.

Spreading the Word

As I mentioned during our graduation, please feel free to share our story to promote this incredible program. I currently serve on the PTA board at Kaydence's school, and I plan to share information about this opportunity within the Mansfield ISD community.

From our family to yours—thank you for everything.