Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Lyman.
Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Helix Fitness for Caregivers was born out of my personal experiences as a caregiver to my son, Phineas, who has Foxg1 Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes lifelong severe disabilities. When I became a single mom in 2020, I took on the responsibility to care for my own physical health to a new level and began rock climbing and attending fitness classes at my local gym. I wanted to be as strong as possible, both physically and mentally, for my son, my other children, and for myself. I quickly saw significant strength gains and my confidence was soaring. Injury prevention through exercise became important as well, and became a mainstay for my life. My passion for fitness was crafted in this space of both necessity and desire. I called this my life plan for preventative care.
In 2022 I had the idea to expand this preventative care plan to other caregivers and decided to get my certification as a Personal Trainer. Personal training is considered preventative care within the healthcare system and provides prehab as a way to prevent injury and chronic pain as much as possible. I received my certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in November of 2022 and am beyond excited to offer this unique program to people like me, who know the physical demands of caring for a person with high needs. As easy as it is for caregivers to put their own needs to the side, it is imperative that we feel empowered to take charge of our own health and have the proper tools to care for our bodies as we care for those we love.
It is my privilege to support and encourage other caregivers in this journey we have been given with our loved ones.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Attempting to build a much needed business and fill in an enormous gap in the world for caregivers while also raising four children alone with no family around has been incredibly trying. My son has tons of dr appointments, is kept alive by a feeding tube, takes 20 medication doses a day, is non verbal but understands everything, and deals with pain in his body on a daily basis which often disrupts his sleep. Being a present mom to my other children as well means my business is often on the back burner as I juggle the most important things in life first. I am grateful for the perspective of allowing myself the grace to go slow and not need to rush myself as I build something important in the world.
As you know, we’re big fans of Helix Fitness for Caregivers. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I teach strength training, injury prevention, and proper body mechanics to caregivers through online and in person workshops, as well as one on one in person and online coaching. The world of informal caregiving (in a home setting) has a massive need for more support and resources for how to navigate life while having high stress and ongoing, repetitive physical demands. I understand exactly how hard it is to juggle all the responsibilities that are on the shoulders of caregivers as this is my life as well. My passion is to fill in the physical aspect of caregiving with the tools, resources and encouragement needed to understand the great importance of caring for yourself as you care for your loved one.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory as a child was building sandcastles on the beach with my brother, mom and dad. My dad would bring plastic utensils to cut out intricate windows and dig a moat we would fill up with ocean water. We would work for hours and hours together and draw a crowd with how elaborate the castle would become. My dad passed away last year from Parkinson’s and I cherish the memories of us all being together on the beach, working hard at something beautiful, even though it would be washed away by the tide.
Pricing:
- In Person Session- $92.00/session
- Online Training- $200/month
- Workshop- $300/1 hour session for organization, $25 for individual ticket
Contact Info:
- Website: https://helixffc.com
- Instagram: @helixfitnessforcaregivers
- Facebook: @helixfitnessforcaregivers
