For Those Who Care
Welcome to “For Those Who Care”. Hosted by RuthAnn, who spent 25 years caring for her husband, Lance, a disabled U.S. Navy Veteran living with two rare blood cancers and early onset dementia, this podcast was created for caregivers and those who support them. Gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the caregiver’s life through honest conversations, personal stories, and interviews with caregivers and experts. RuthAnn and her guests explore the challenges, joys, and often overlooked moments of caregiving.
Whether you are a caregiver yourself or someone who wants to better understand and support the caregivers in your life, this podcast offers insight, encouragement, and community. Join us to connect, listen, and find strength in the caregiving experience.
For Those Who Care
67 - Jenna on Functional Training: Building Strength for Daily Life
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In this episode of For Those Who Care, I’m talking with my former personal trainer Jenna about what functional training really means and why it matters, especially for caregivers. Jenna explains how this kind of training helps people stay strong, mobile, and ready for the physical demands that come with caring for others.
She shares a story about a client who didn’t have much time to work out but found ways to stay consistent—and how those small efforts made a big difference for her and her family. Jenna and I also talk about what she noticed in my own movement patterns as a full-time caregiver, what that revealed about the toll caregiving can take, and how training helped me rebuild strength and confidence.
Jenna also opens up about her experience working with Lance and how she adapted his training to match his mobility and goals. It wasn’t about adding more years, but about giving him more purpose, comfort, and quality in the time he had.
This conversation is a great reminder that movement can be a source of strength, hope, and even healing for caregivers and anyone living with disability or chronic conditions.
This episode is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or professional fitness advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or certified fitness professional before making changes to your exercise or nutrition routine.