Wes Piatt has always believed in the transformative power of CrossFit. When he opened Coast Range CrossFit in Gilroy more than a decade ago, his mission wasn’t just about fitness; it was about saving lives.
Thirteen years ago, Piatt was working as a firefighter when he responded to a medical call: a man suffering a heart attack. Despite his best efforts, Piatt couldn’t save him. That moment changed everything.
“On the way to the hospital, I thought, I’m doing the gym full time,” Piatt recalls. “If I can keep people from ever getting to this point, I feel like I’m doing more good than working on people when they’re too far gone.”
Since then, Piatt has dedicated his gym to helping people live healthier, fitter lives. But one slide of the community he serves these days is one he never expected.
Every Tuesday at noon, Piatt leads his “No Shuffle” CrossFit class, designed for people who have survived strokes, been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, or face other neurological challenges.
The idea started three years ago when Piatt walked into a senior living facility across the street and met a Parkinson’s support group.
“I talked to those guys, and the next day about 15 of them showed up,” Piatt says with a laugh. “I was like, Oh, wow. Here we go.”
As far as Piatt knows, his class is the only one of its kind. And judging by its success, he doubts it will be the last.
“It’s motivating for them to be people their own age and around people that are going through the same thing that they’re going through as well,” he explains. “They can see what’s possible.”
Coaching this group has forced Piatt to rethink everything he knows about fitness. Instead of chasing elite athletic performance, he focuses on simpler, life-changing goals.
“With elite athletes, they want that one percent edge,” Piatt says. “With these guys, it’s about being able to participate in family activities. They don’t want be a burden to those around them.”
He still gets emotional recalling a recent text from a client named Darlene.
“She told me her goal was to walk with her husband without a walker,” Piatt says. “Then she sent me a picture of her doing it. Tears everywhere.”
There are tears, yes, but mostly laughter and smiles. No matter how tough the workout, this community is strong enough to handle it.
This news item came from: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/bay-area-proud/south-bay-gym-owner-turns-crossfit-into-lifeline-for-stroke-parkinsons-survivors/3981570/
