Today we’d like to introduce you to April Huckabey.
Hi April, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
11 years ago, I had taken over my dad’s garage door business after his passing and was getting my personal training certificate as a “back-up plan” incase the garage door thing didn’t work out. I was training a few friends when a lady heard about what I was doing and approached me to ask me to help her husband who was just diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). They had heard about a program called Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) and the success it was having but when she researched it, she learned the nearest class to where they lived was over 2 hours away. Wanting to help him but realizing that driving 4+ hours for an exercise class was unreasonable, she asked me what I knew about both PD and RSB and asked if I could help. I was honest with her and said “I don’t know much, but I can learn, let me look into it and do some research and I’ll be in touch”. Well, after researching and contacting RSB, I learned that it was a huge help to those living with PD to engage in regular exercise. RSB was providing training and certifications to those wanting to work in this area, but their wait list was long, about 18 months. So I set out to start helping Ed which waiting to get certified. I went and visited other classes, did as much reading and watching of videos as I could and we got to work. Ed was feeling better within a few months, and his movement was almost completely back to normal. He worked hard every week. It was then I realized that there was something to this. That’s when I told him “We have to bring this to Santa Maria”. He helped me with local connections and getting a partnership with my local hospital where I have held several classes each week for the last 9 years. The program has grown from me working with Ed, to having 2 people in my first class to now regularly having 16-20 in each class.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say at times, it was smooth, other times, not so much. We made it through COVID which was a feet. Prior to the shutdown, I had about 27-30 people in the program, but then got down to only about 15 when we cam back to “real life”, building the program back up and keeping it afloat was a challenge but it wasn’t something I wanted to close down or give up on. Space is always an issue, we need double the space we have, but it always works out somehow. Funding has been an issue, becoming a non-profit and being able to accept donations when people feel gracious enough to donate has been a tremedous help. Adding more and more services to the program is a struggle because there are only so many hours in a day, but we’ve managed and are always looking out for this to grow with.
As you know, we’re big fans of Neurofighters. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Neurofighters, a community dedicated to empowering individuals living with the challenges of neurological conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, MS, Huntingtons) through specialized exercise classes. At the heart of Neurofighters is a commitment to address the multifaceted nature of these neurological conditions, acknowledging the uniqueness of the condition, such as motor symptoms, balance issues, and cognitive decline. Our program has an expert-led approach, featuring an instructor with specialized knowledge in Parkinson’s/Neuro conditions who guides participants through tailored exercises that include movement, strength and boxing to foster symptom management, enhance balance, and promote cognitive well-being.
At Neurofighters, we recognize the power of community support in navigating the journey of living with a neurological condition. Participants not only engage in purposeful exercise but also become part of a supportive network where shared experiences, tips, and encouragement create a sense of belonging. We include Care Partners, or Cornermen as we like to call them, in this community as well. The community aspect sets us apart, emphasizing that our program is more than just physical exercise, it’s a whole life approach to well-being.
One of the hallmarks of Neurofighters is its adaptive nature. We understand that neurological conditions affects individuals differently, and fitness levels can vary widely. Our flexible approach ensures that everyone, regardless of symptom severity or current fitness level, can participate and benefit from the program. Inclusivity is a core component of the classes, and we’re proud to offer a program that can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of our participants.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The Central Coast is an amazing place to live. I always say “I get to live where others vacation”. We have great weather, great people, great local shops and restaurants and we can be at the beach in 20 minutes! What’s not to love about that.
Pricing:
- In-person and online classes available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neurofighters.org
- Instagram: neurofightersinc
- Facebook: neurofightersinc
