BANG!!  We all turned around in the gym to the direction from which the noise had come, and there was one of our group members, lying flat on his back, glasses having flown through the air and landed some distance away.  No one is sure what happened - we were getting ready to do our end-of class stretches, chatting amongst ourselves, and all we know is he was talking one minute, and on the floor the next.

The staff were fantastic.  Instantly, they appeared from all corners of the room.  Monte, the owner, took control, grabbing the telephone on his way so it was ready to hand if he needed to call an ambulance.  Monte knelt on the floor next to the guy, started talking to him, while checking vital signs, all the time reassuring him and telling him to lie still and not get up.  He was asking him questions - such as “do you know what day it is?” and “roughly what time is it?” - to see if his condition was getting worse or improving.  

Some of the members were suggesting an ambulance be called.  When Monte didn’t respond (although he still had the phone in his hand), the members looked at Howard, who responded “he’s got it” - meaning, it’s under control, and if Monte feels he needs an ambulance, he’ll call for it.  

Seeing that Monte was able to cope, Howard moved us to a different part of the gym, and took us through our stretches.  As our class disbanded, the next class was coming in.   There was no verbal exchange between Monte and Howard, they’ve just worked together long enough to have that level of trust between them, and to each do what was required.  

With Howard in charge of the room, Monte asked Hayden, a student in his first hour of student placement, to assist by locating and photocopying the member’s file.  This meant personal details and exercise history was available to the ambulance crew should they need it.  

Next, Monte wanted the area coned off, and the first aid box and gloves brought to him.  Having spent about 15 minutes with the guy, observing and communicating with him, Monte felt it appropriate to ring for an ambulance.  The member wanted to sit up - Monte stayed calm, gently, reassuring him and still telling him to lie still.  As he stayed on the phone to the emergency services control room, Monte asked a member of the class that had just finished if they could please wait on the street to meet and direct the ambulance crew.

When they arrived, the ambulance crew immediately went to work, checking vital signs, asking questions, getting as much detail as possible.  

A gym incident report was filled out,  and a list of all the members who had been in the class that day was attached to it, with their contact numbers for future reference if required.

Finally, before the ambulance crew took the member to hospital, Monte spoke to his doctor and wife to advise them what had happened.

What criteria do you have for choosing the gym you want to exercise in?  Perhaps you want state-of-the-art equipment, or a personal trainer to work one-on-one with you?  I wanted somewhere close to home with great equipment  AND with qualified, friendly, professional staff who showed me that it was as important to them that I achieve my goals as it is to me.  It never occurred to me that I might be taken ill at the gym ... but how reassuring to know that in the event I am, the staff will remain calm and work together to take care not just of me, but of everyone else in the room.

It's 7.25am - five minutes before my gym opens - and there's me plus four other members already lined up at the front door.  One lady is banging on the door to gain entry, despite the rest of us telling her that the gym doors won't open until exactly 7.30am.

"I just want to get in there and get on with it", she said.  "Wow", I thought.  "She's keen!"  I hadn't seen her at the gym before - obviously new - and clearly raring to go!   As we filed inside and each got started on our workouts, as I could hear her telling another member "I've already read all my emails and written and posted a birthday card this morning.  I have such a busy schedule!"

And suddenly, I understood.   You see, I got the distinct impression that this lady was really enjoying her state of busy-ness.  That it energized her.  That hanging around outside the gym when she could be inside exercising was just a waste of her time.  I was like that once - running from one thing to another, on a complete high - thoroughly enjoying the challenges along the way.  The lady this morning was animated as she described her life - for her, being busy was Fun!!

For some, however, maintaining this fast pace is tiring, challenging and far from enjoyable.  Even the language and tone of voice is different - the words are negative, the voice is slow, everything looks and sounds heavy. 

If what you are doing does not satisfy your needs, if you are stuck in a job you don't like, for example, you will probably find yourself experiencing health issues, having trouble sleeping and stagnating.  If left unchecked, it may lead to serious health issues, and ultimately, burnout.

Making a change can be simple, if you tap into your creative force.  Bringing a playful attitude to your situation may help you get a more positive perspective on it.  No matter what your situation, it is possible to transform the way you perceive it into something more enjoyable for you.  It's possible to discover your real needs and fulfilling them, of discovering your real talents and using them, of discovering your many options and trying them out.

It really is possible to enjoy life - whether you want to be more energised, have less stress, more time for yourself - whatever it might be.  And maybe you will be the one banging on the gym door minutes before it is due to open in anticipation of a fun workout!!  I hop