Personal Trainer Mike Wagner teaches or co-teaches classes such as Fall Proof, Balance Boot Camp, Sit n’ Fit, and Total Body Chair. He also helms our wiffleball games, staff softball, all things trivia, karaoke, and the Meadowood game shows Name That Tune, Jeopardy, and the Newlywed Game. He’s also our go-to guy when we want to have Halloween fun, frequently showing up to work as Jason from the movie Halloween, or Austin Powers of spy movie spoof fame.

Donna: How long have you been working at Meadowood?
Mike: I celebrated my 5th Anniversary on September 6th.

Donna: What do you like best about your job?
Mike: I enjoy interacting with the residents and trying to be a positive influence in their lives when it comes to their health and well-being.

Donna: What is your educational and certification background?
Mike: I have a B.S. degree in Kinesiology from West Chester University, and I am certified as a Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Donna: You are the dedicated fitness specialist for the new McLean Memory Care Center. How will you approach fitness programming for our memory care residents?
Mike: I will provide a TLC approach to each class I teach. I will make sure the residents are engaged and entertained and that they will enjoy the exercises.

Donna: How did you get into hosting the Meadowood game shows? Do you feel like you missed your calling?
Mike: The concept of game shows started during the Covid pandemic in 2020. Our Fitness and Wellness Department thought it would provide a positive and fun release from the daily stressors that both residents and staff were experiencing during that time period. I never knew I had a talent to be a game show host until given the opportunity. I’m truly honored to entertain our community through this experience over the past two years.

Donna: What does ‘wellness’ mean to you?
Mike: It means providing healthy programming to people in important areas, such as physical, spiritual, social, occupational, emotional and intellectual.

Donna: Will you tell us a little about your family?
Mike: I’ve been married for 19 years to my wife Lisa. We’re parents of 18-year-old Declan, who just started his first year at Delaware County Community College and 17-year-old Fiona, who is currently a Senior at Springfield (DelCo) High School. We have resided in Springfield since 2002.

Donna: What kinds of programming would you like to implement in the future?
Mike: I would like present new game shows to our community. Also, it would be wonderful to create sports-based classes that would provide both instruction and fun for the residents. Additionally, I would like to provide group personal training for those residents living in the Health Center.

Donna: What experience do you have relevant to your Meadowood position?
Mike: I have worked more than 20 years in the areas of Health, Fitness and Recreation. I gained valuable experience as an intern at Holy Redeemer Hospital’s Health and Fitness Center. Since then, I have been proud to work with the Senior population in a variety of roles with reputable organizations.

Donna: Any last words?
Mike: For the past 5 years, I have been blessed to work at an amazing community like Meadowood. I wake up each day enthused to go to work and trying to be a positive role model.

Keep an eye out for a Q&A with Trainer, balance expert, and 9-time grandfather Jon Sovocool!

Until we meet…

Donna