Rec Center To Offer MS Challenge Training

Stephen Glaus, who began offering individual 12-week training sessions in the MS Fitness Challenge at the Lititz recCenter in January, is living proof that the program, which utilizes focused exercise and nutrition, can have positive results. In 2018, Stephen experienced significant mobility impairment and blurred and double vision from multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that causes nerve damage and interferes with communication from the brain to the body. In the fall of 2020, he completed a virtual Ironman - swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles from Reading to Marietta, and running 26.2 miles.

Stephen's journey with MS began in July 2018. At the age of 27, the Elizabethtown native was working in his dream job as a drone salesman in California. "On a business trip to Japan, my left foot went completely numb," he recalled. Three weeks later, Stephen had lost the ability to walk unaided, and he was dealing with other complications. Realizing his life would change dramatically, Stephen left his job in California, and he and his wife, Nikki, returned to Elizabethtown.

Characterizing himself as "stubborn," Stephen refused to accept the doctor's predictions that he would be using a wheelchair in two years. Instead, he began researching resources and came across the book "David's Goliath" by David Lyons, which outlines the MS Fitness Challenge. Stephen connected with Lyons, who founded the MS Fitness Challenge organization, and Lyons began coaching Stephen. He also made dietary recommendations. As the two men became acquainted, Lyons felt that Stephen would be an asset to the organization. "I jumped aboard," said Stephen, who began studying for his personal trainer license, which he received from the National Federation of Personal Trainers in March of 2019.

Stephen's health slowly improved, and he began thinking about doing a full Ironman triathlon. He met a former Navy SEAL, with whom he shared his Ironman dream. "I didn't know how to swim, so once a week he got in the pool with me and taught me to swim," said Stephen. Soon a 3-mile swim was no problem.

Weeks before Stephen was to complete his full Ironman, he learned that COVID-19 restrictions had forced organizers to cancel. "MS is a time bomb," said Stephen. "You never know when the next relapse will come." Uncomfortable with waiting for the 2021 event, Stephen found a virtual platform that allowed him to realize his goal with help from his long-distance swimming coach, Louise Hyder-Darlington, and his father, who drove along on the bicycle route and biked beside his son during the run.

Glaus now works with individuals one-on-one to implement the MS Fitness Challenge. "If someone has lower leg weakness, we have the participant hold each contraction for six seconds," explained Glaus. "You are giving the brain the opportunity to develop a new pathway to do the same movement." He also works with clients on nutrition, which he noted is essential to succesfully living with MS.

Readers who are interested in working with Glaus may call 717-626-5096, ext. 239, or email SimonAbabou@lititzrec.com.