Are you ready for a story? I’ve been a Fishing Guide for 37 years. I get up at 4 am, I’m on the water at dawn and done at dark. I spend all that time sitting on a boat without the option of getting up and walking around. It does a number on your body. I got to

a point where I couldn’t walk without a back brace and knee braces. There were days when I could hardly climb into my boat. That worried me, what if I had clients on the river and there was an emergency, would I be able to help them?

Then, things got even worse, two years ago, I had a heart attack. When I was in the hospital they weighed me, I was 298 pounds. It was a wake-up call. After something like that happens to you, you’re afraid. You’re afraid to eat, afraid to live like you were,

but after a while, you fall back into old patterns. I realized that I didn’t want to move backwards. I couldn’t go through that again and I knew I couldn’t do it alone.

I came to Pivot Performance in Wyalusing about a year ago and decided to do a trial month with Coach Kristin. After that first session with her, I was whooped. It took a lot out of me, but I knew I needed to keep going! I knew that I needed a coach. I needed to be accountable to someone otherwise, I wouldn’t come.

Kristin asked me what I wanted to accomplish at the beginning of my year. To stay alive for one thing, but I also set the goal to lose 40 pounds in a year. Kristin told me we should aim for a pound a week to make sure I was losing the weight safely and ensure I would keep it off.

It took about 2 months to correct my eating. What I found really great was that Pivot was the 1st place that ever explained the WHY to me. Why I should eat well, why breakfast is important and then they gave me the HOW. I started food journaling and increasing my water intake. That first 10 pounds came off pretty quick, but it was hard and in the beginning, all I would want to do after my workouts was go home and sleep. Then, it got easier.

I made a bet with my wife that if I reached my 40-pound goal,
I was going to reward my accomplishment with a tattoo. Well, I have a brand new tattoo! I reached my goal, lost the weight, and I feel better now than I had in the past ten years!

My doctor was impressed by my accomplishments! I was feeling great! It only took about 6 months for me to get to a point where I no longer needed the back and knee braces! My pain was gone and I no longer had trouble getting into my boat. It made my day to day life so much easier and I don’t have to worry about not being able to help my clients anymore!

I couldn’t have done it without Kristin! I would say if you are able to have a coach, do it. They help you stay accountable and on track. Kristin created a program specifically for me, knowing about my pain and the troubles I was having. You would get a custom program too, and that’s really important! I still have a long way to go, but I am moving forward and refuse to look back.

I joined Pivot Performance in order to begin feeling better and stronger. My knees had been hurting for many years and I was going to need a new right knee – I thought that it would be good to try and get as strong as possible before surgery.

My life has changed so much! I have gone from a person
who did not exercise at all and getting tired and having to
sit down when going to parks or out with family to a person who now goes to exercise five days a week (mostly). This
was not an overnight occurrence, but took a year, a new knee, working with the therapists at Pivot and back to Joe for exercise. I am able to dance again which I have not been able to do
in years, I was able to go to the beach and get into water safely. We went to Hawaii and even though I wasn’t able to take surfing lessons I walked everywhere (sometimes with my cane) and went hiking, most importantly I was able to keep up with my family.

My initial goal was to feel better and move without intense pain. Once I had surgery my goal became to become stronger so that I could put off surgery for my other knee. Along the way I have realized that even if I injure myself I heal much faster because my body is stronger. My goal now is to keep going to exercise, five days a week and try whatever is thrown at me! I would like to start losing weight and that is beginning to happen, but I am trying to not make that the focus.

I believe that I am finding success at Pivot because Joe
has never given up on me. He truly listens to what I say
and where I am mentally. The other reason that I believe
I am successful is that Joe works with all of the members
of Pivot’s PT department. This combination provides a safe place where I know I am getting the best of both worlds – PT when I hurt and training to keep me strong and the ability to bounce back more quickly. I have tried many of the facilities around our area and I have never stayed this long or worked out so much!

My advice to anyone who is thinking about trying Pivot but is not sure about it – I say – worth every penny. This is a place where you are respected – no matter what your weight is or where you are regarding exercise. I began by coming to work out with Joe twice a week and I now come every day – I don’t always want to do it, but once I get inside I am glad I came. No one laughs at you, stares at you – everyone is encouraging and the atmosphere is so positive. If I, who has never been
a person into exercising can change my attitude and mind – anyone can do it!!!

I have to say that having trained for many years in different gyms I have seen my biggest gains while training at Pivot Performance in Wyalusing. Balancing a weekly, personal (one-on-one) coaching session and one or two group training or bootcamp classes has made me stronger, faster, and more focused…always looking forward to the next workout!

Some of the key areas of growth are in core muscle group development, strength, balance and coordination, and conditioning. Along with that comes more muscle tone and definition. We supplement this with rest and a good diet.

I have to say a big part of my success is due to the outstanding personal coaching with Kristin Tiffany. These sessions are geared specifically to me as an individual and focus on areas I need to improve. Once you get your session tuned you will see big results.

For the past 4 years Pivot Performance has been a crucial part of my life. As you get older, you start hearing your friends talk about all their ailments and the medications they are taking. I wanted to be proactive to be fit and increase my strength. With Pivot’s personal coaches I am motivated and equipped to live Fit.Healthy.Strong.

Coming to Pivot and working with my personal coach has improved my whole life. I used to have to take cholesterol medicine, now I am completely medication free. My heart is good, my lungs are good, I don’t have arthritis and I don’t have to take any pills. I have peace of mind knowing that I am in good health because I am taking care of my body. People are living longer now and I am committed to living well.I want to be as good as I can be at every age, plus, it’s nice to hear “You’re in great shape!”

I really look forward to coming to Pivot. It gives me energy for the rest of my day and puts me in a good mood! It makes me feel confident and lucky to be able to be so physical and maintain my active interests, like kayaking, hiking , biking, and traveling. I also get to have something in common with my son! He started going to the gym often, so, when he calls we share our gym stories!

The atmosphere at Pivot is never uncomfortable or unwelcoming! The trainers here at Pivot are great! They are kind and always willing to help! They don’t judge or criticize, they offer knowledge and help. They make sure you are using the correct form, so you don’t hurt yourself or do damage to your joints.

Come into Pivot Performance and try it! Give yourself enough time to see the difference it can make for you!

Elizabeth Porter has been a member of Pivot Performance since 2013. Liz joined Pivot to lose weight and gain strength and while she has accomplished both, we have gained so much more from her! She brings and infectious energy and enthusiasm with her every time she walks through the door. She has become a friend and inspiration to her coaches! Elizabeth has accomplished every goal she has set for herself and we
at Pivot are so proud of her.

Liz competed at the Pennsylvania state Special Olympics as a swimmer in 2017 and walked away with the following medals:

Gold: 50-meter butterfly
Gold: 100-meter butterfly
Silver: 800-meter freestyle

Liz was selected to compete at Nationals in Seattle in 2018 where she will show just how FIT.HEALTHY.STRONG. she is!

On top of her long list of accomplishments, Liz has a heart of gold and is always willing to go that extra mile for someone in need and in this case, swim the extra mile. Liz is participating in “Women Swimmin’” a mile and a half community swim across Cayuga Lake to raise money for hospice care!

“I’ve known Elizabeth for a long time. She’s such a caring person who brightens up the gym when she walks in! It’s great to see her in here giving it her all and I am excited to see her take her passion for fitness to new heights as she competes in swimming!” -Jenna

“She always puts a smile on my face. I’ve seen her progress so much. She’s getting stronger every day. Coaching Liz is always the highlight of my day!” –Coach Nick

Thank you Elizabeth Porter, for being a friend and inspiration to your Pivot Family!

I joined Pivot Performance to get stronger and become a better athlete. I have gained a ton of strength and muscle. I dropped from 218lbs to 195. I have also become faster and more flexible.

The trainers at Pivot Performance knew where my weaknesses were and helped me improve in those areas. The different programs and intensity of the workouts really pushed me to success. Training with Pivot has helped me become a 1st Team PHAC-II Pitcher! I have also excelled in wrestling since joining. I went from 16 wins to 32. I’m now a starting player in football, baseball and wrestling as a high school sophomore.

“In one year Dakotah has gone from an average high school athlete to truly excelling on the field. His strength and body composure have changed dramatically, and I look forward to seeing his hard work in the weight room pay
off on the field.” – Coach Joe

Jim suffered from spinal stenosis. He tried pain management for a while, but the temporary relief wasn’t enough. Jim was in a lot of pain. With a job that had him driving for long periods of time, then standing, it made his day to day life very uncomfortable.

“Going to work was grueling. I couldn’t even bend down to pick something up. I would carry a shovel wherever I went so when I had to kneel to pick something up, I could use the shovel to help my pick myself back up.”

When doctors found two cysts on his spine, they scheduled him for surgery right away.

Jim went for physical therapy at the Pivot in Wyalusing after his surgery in September of 2016.

“After my surgery Pivot helped me get back on my feet. All the therapists were great to work with! I learned a lot about how to move.”

During his time in therapy, he watched as people came into the fitness center to work out. His therapist connected him with the Fitness Manager, Kristin.

“I started around October 2016. At first I struggled with some of the exercises, but Kristin tailored the workouts for me. Since then, I’ve seen improvement in the gym and at home. I have more stamina and strength to get things done. I can move without worrying about what I have to grab to wrestle myself up.”

Jim has seen so much success since beginning his fitness journey. He is no longer in pain, has lost some weight, and sees an overall improvement in his health!

“I had a check-up in February. When my doctor looked at my numbers he was really impressed! My bad cholesterol dropped 62 points and my good cholesterol improved by 35 points. My AC1 sugar dropped 1.4 points.”

As a diabetic and 2-time cancer survivor, Jim’s goal is to be as healthy as he can!

“I look at the big picture, sometimes success is staying off medicines you don’t need. My doctor took me off my cholesterol medication the other day and told me to keep working out! I am going in the right direction.”