Karema Brown has an educator's heart. Her mission is to do all she can to improve the school experience for her kids. This is her story of service, how she processed her complicated roles as a Black woman, educator, and daughter of the badge, and how the dance studio taught her that vulnerability is a strength to be cherished.
Author: Stacey's Headspace
Educator, family woman, author and Geriatric Gymnast.
Changed for the Better: episode 39
Joseph "Royalty" Wallace, once a pulsing ball of energy, has focused his creativity and discipline to become a successful man in finance and entrepreneurship. Read on to learn how dance was the catalyst for his leap into leadership.
Michael Morenberg
Mike and I talk about our community of adult gymnastics: the “Hive Mind,” being a quinquagenarian, spotting and coaching, and the necessity for the gym to be a judgment-free zone.
Changed for the Better, episode 38
Bria Manning is someone who sees what she wants and she gets it. Back in high school, she poured her energy into the Spring Valley community as a class officer, cheerleader, and active Thespian and dancer. Now entrenched in her quarter-century status, she is finding ways to balance the requirements of adulting with her need for community, creativity and dancing.
What’s “too old?”
Is there anything you feel to old to do anymore? Ummmm....no?
Changed for the Better, episode 37
Episode 37 features Rushane Dunn, the first alum to be profiled from the class of 2019! Always the high-achiever, he is now finishing his senior year at Brown University. We talked about his dual passions for STEM and performing arts, being at the precipice of his adulthood and his impending journey into medicine.
Progress isn’t linear
"Progress isn't linear" is one of my favorite sayings. It applies to everyone for everything that we work for, but I have had to lean into it as I have spent my time over the last 15 years doing adult gymnastics. It's how I have been able to keep flipping in my 50s.
Celebrating life
Today, I attended the celebration of life for my college friend Mike who suddenly and tragically died last week. My first impression of his memorial is just how far-reaching his existence was.
Changed for the Better: episode 36, part 2
In part two of Episode 36, Nathalie Alcime (class of 2007) and I talk about how her time in the dance studio helped to give her more confidence in her own skin when it came to dance performance. As her confidence grew, she learned how to walk proudly in her experience, even when she made mistakes. Learning to fail forward became the key to her standing up to the looming imposter syndrome that often get in the way of our success.
Master jack
We have all heard the phrase, “jack of all trades, master of none.” I’ve always taken that as a limiting statement, and I often find myself applying it to my life experience. Read about something that inspired me to just enjoy the ride.
Changed for the Better: episode 36, part 1
Episode 36, part one highlights how my connection with Nathalie led to the creation of a performance opportunity that examines the slow awakening to the discourse of social justice. Sometimes, terrible events can give birth to beautiful things.
We are the adults now.
The interesting dichotomy of our adult experience: when the universe decides that it's time to take someone away, we the adults, who maintain a semblance of our Peter Pan perspectives, have to process the loss through both lenses.
Changed for the Better: Episode 35
Darian Garner, the valedictorian of the class of 2013. A perfect blend of brilliance, kindness and humility, Darian graciously shared her stories about navigating the challenges of being Black in an Ivy League school, losing her mom, becoming an actuary, and growing into her independence.
Weight-Loss part 10: Oh, the pain of the holidays
Happy New Year! I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy, rested, and ready to kick 2023 into high gear. For most of us, January marks a time to reset. I don't believe in resolutions I'll never keep, but I do believe in getting back to the things that work best. Enjoy this, and comment on something that resonates with you!
Changed for the Better: episode 34
From the to the class of 2012, Melissa Iglody's bright, bubbly personality infused positivity and a lively spark to our performing arts community. Learn how she took those lessons from the theater and found new happy places in college and beyond!
Changed for the Better: Episode 33
A superhero is aware of the inequities of the world, and possesses the energy and drive to do something about it. Melissa Denizard is Spring Valley's homegrown superhero. We talk about how she melds activism with her exploding artistic vision.
Our lizard brain
The brain, in all its complexities, can help us or harm us, depending on the day, our mood, or the direction of the wind. We know that anxiety is a killer beast, and at the gym, it can really get in the way of progress.
Changed for the Better: Episode 32
Dara Orlando is somewhat of a Thespian legend. This Thespian alum has grown up to become a corporate executive/working mom. Read on to learn how she manages the demands and stays as centered as she can.
Once a year day
There are a lot of people my age who would rather not acknowledge their special day. Maybe it's not wanting to reveal how many circles around the sun they are, or they don't want to call attention to themselves. Who knows? That's not me.
Changed for the Better: Episode 31
Welcome to Season 3!! Episode 31 takes us back to the class of 2003. A self-professed “Jane of all trades” and Heartland Emmy nominee, Marie Casimir discovered her passion for everything the arts had to offer during high school, when she immersed herself in dance and Thespians. Now, she is sharing her own vision with the world.
Tammy Goedken, part 5
In the last installment of episode 1 with Tammy, we had a few more thoughts about the meditative and empowering qualities that adult gymnastics offers. We also compared the experience to some other fitness activities we've done.
I’m sick. Yuck.
I’m not a good sick person. I hate having to shut things down and remove myself from my normal routine. But sometimes, it happens.
Tammy Goedken, part 4
In part 4 of my conversation with Tammy, we talk about eliminating the "end-date" drama, coaching from experience, the benefits of Geriatric Gymnastics, and setting goals in gymnastics training.
Tammy Goedken, part 3
We love telling stories about our gymnastics escapades. In part 3, Tammy and I talk about dealing with injuries, building bone strength, balance, and positive self-concept, and our thoughts on progress (which is never linear).
Tammy Goedken, part 2
In part two of my conversation with Tammy Goedken, we talk about our observations as coaches for the adult set, and how we believe that gymnastics is the most fun way to condition your body (and soul).
Tammy Goedken, part 1
Welcome to the first episode of my new series, Conversations With The Geriatric Gymnast! For 15 years, I've learned more about my capabilities in the gym than I have anywhere else. Now, my flippy friends and I have some things to share with the world.
Conversations with the Geriatric Gymnast
As if I didn't have anything better to do, I've embarked upon a new Geriatric Gymnastics project. Along with this blog, the Changed for the Better podcast and blog, and working full-time as a high school dance and PE teacher, I was inspired to create a little something to further celebrate my cultish adult gymnastics obsession.
Changed for the Better: episode 30
Is there a gentle doctor in the house? Pretty soon, there will be! Soon, my episode 30 guest will become Dr. Dwayne Gentle. What better way to close out season 2 than to talk to a formerly hyper-vigilant adolescent about his path to being more spontaneous, changing his mindset, surviving medical school and living life exactly how he wants to live it.
Weight-Loss part 9: The 5(ish)-pound swing
It's hard to believe a whole year has passed since my first Weight-Loss Journey post!. In those 365 days, a lot of life has happened. There have been many opportunities for me to trash the whole weight-loss plan and gorge myself in response to life's ups and downs. I'm glad I didn't.
Changed for the Better: episode 29
Jessica Butler (La Presidenta) was tiny force of nature in Thespians. Taking notice of our drama club in middle school, she made an instant decision: she would lead the troupe in her senior year. Challenge accepted. In this episode, we discuss mentorship, embracing your ability in the face of imposter syndrome, and learning how to "figure it out."
Stacey's Headspace 