By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Westborough – Throughout her career as a personal trainer, motivational speaker and author, Michele Craemer has seen how the power of movement and getting fit has helped to change the lives of many women.
It was so inspiring, she said, that it motivated her to strive to bring that positive message to younger girls as well. The result is her third book, “Girls Sweat! Life Lessons Through Running.” On Thursday, Oct. 13, Craemer will bring her philosophy of “Dream, Sweat Achieve” to the YMCA ® of Central Mass., Boroughs Campus from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a free presentation for local girls and their mothers and/or other important women in their lives.
The presentation is part of the Girls Lead ™ Mother-Daughter Series, which was launched at the YMCA earlier this year in conjunction with the Female Leadership Interest Council ® (FLIC).
During her presentation, Craemer will be talking with the girls about the importance of goal-setting and how the power of using both mind and body in a positive way can help a girl achieve those goals.
But this will not be an ordinary seminar in which the audience is sitting there just listening to her speak, Craemer said.
“I will have them get up and dance and move to popular songs that they know,” Craemer, an Upton resident who frequently runs in 5Ks and has run in the Boston Marathon, said. “I'sl be using a lot of visualization tools as well while we do this so they can make a connection between that and exercise.”
Craemer will talk to the girls about how “dream, sweat, achieve” can be a motto for their lives, too.
“It's important to dream – to visualize – what you want,” she said. “But you can's just dream; you have to sweat – really put in the hard work to reach your goals in order to achieve.
“I also really want to emphasize that girls don's just have to be “pretty.” They can be feminine and athletic, sweaty and gritty too!”
Elizabeth A. Moquin, the director of membership and community relations for the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, said she and her daughter are fans of Craemer's work and thus, are excited that she will be sharing her positive message with other young girls.
“Michele's message of inspiration and “running right to it” is so in line with the message we try to spread here at the Y that we began inviting her here for special events, including our annual Healthy Kids Day celebration. She is such an amazing and energetic person, and the staff and members have always enjoyed hearing her speak. Although we can all benefit from Michele's discussions on positive thinking and confidence, I feel that her program will be particularly inspirational for the teenagers as they realize they should start dreaming big now.”
Deborah Penta is the chief executive officer of Penta Communications and FLIC's founder.
“FLIC® and the YMCA®, through our collaborative Girls Lead™ program, are deeply committed to offering young women and their mothers many powerful opportunities to learn and grow together,” she said. “We are very grateful to Michele for sharing her energy and wisdom with young women in our community on Oct. 13. A recent gift from the United Way of Central Massachusetts through the law firm of Mirick O”Connell has helped our organization make it possible to provide this program to the community at no charge.”
Admission to the event is free but pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To register, call Debbie Desposito at (508) 616-9900, ext. 110.