Fitness

Broadstaff CEO concentrates on wellness in the workplace

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2023

Broadstaff CEO concentrates on wellness in the workplace

A Tampa CEO is working to change how businesses approach wellness in the workplace. As CEO of Broadstaff Carrie Charles runs her company by concentrating on the whole person.

What You Need To Know

She says she helps empower her employees by supporting the whole person

She hopes to set a good example of total wellness

“People need to be able to bring their whole selves to work and really feel that the work is a place that they can feel empowered,” said Charles.

Charles says she helps empower her employees by supporting the whole person and creating a culture of caring. Charles hopes to set a good example of total wellness.

“I think what we need to do as leaders is we need (to) become more active and be hands-on,” said Charles.

The accomplished business leader encourages healthy eating habits and working out, she even hits the gym with employees.

“I’m modeling healthy behavior for them,” Charles said while working out with Marketing Manager Natalie Davis.

“It’s very unique to have a boss that cares about me and my life and not just what I do in the eight hours that I’m at the office,” said Davis.

Fitness is an important part of life Charles shares with her team. She says exercise has helped her through some tough times.

“I have mental health challenges in my family,” said Charles. “Actually, four of my family members committed suicide so when I was younger, I was diagnosed with depression.”

Charles found comfort in focusing on total wellness as a way of life.

For the busy businesswoman, it all starts first thing in the morning, well before stepping foot in the office.

“I start with prayer first thing and then I immediately mediate,” said Charles.

It’s part of concentrating on the whole person, whether it’s herself or her employees. The certified life coach leads regular group and one-on-one life coaching sessions at work.

“We talk about topics that are relevant to their life, not just relevant to their work,” said Charles.

Charles says her employees are responding, and sharing recent feedback from a team member.

“She said, something that you said a few weeks ago changed my life,” said Charles. “And there’s just nothing like that, it feels amazing.”

Charles says the goal at Broadstaff, a specialized staffing and recruiting firm, is to change lives. She became CEO in 2018 and she hopes she’s doing that by prioritizing people.

“Before having that life coaching element at this job, I felt life was kind of just what happened to me, around me,” said Davis. “Now, I feel like I have more of a say and I feel I can set myself up for success.”

That success, Charles says, can be achieved by prioritizing mental health and wellness in the workplace.

“The workforce is different today, there’s more stress, there’s more burnout and we just have to take care of people differently in the workplace,” said Charles. “Take that extra moment to say I care about you and say I care about your future and your health.”

Charles was recently honored at the Tampa Bay Business Women Awards.

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Fitness

New exercise pad part of BVL’s 65th Infantry Park ‘fitness hub’

Published

8 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

New exercise pad part of BVL’s 65th Infantry Park ‘fitness hub’

Body

With a walking and bike trail, kid’s playground and disc golf course, and with Senses Park and a splash pad nearby, the 65th Infantry Park in Buenaventura Lakes is a hotspot for outdoors-y types.

Now that a new exercise pad is now part of the park and open, it can now be considered a fitness hub.

Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer, whose District 2 includes BVL and the park, helped cut the ribbon and open the fitness pad on a blustery Wednesday – maybe not the best weather for an outdoor workout,

“If you’re looking to add to a healthier lifestyle without paying for a gym membership, this will be the place for you,” she said. “This is added to the trail and right across from the playground so you can have your little kids here and watch them while you exercise.”

It was a unique vision Janer said she had for the pad, which is the first in Osceola County.

“I had this vision of adding it and I’m so happy to see it come to fruition. Other communities, like in California, have these right in the community,” she said. “Here you can walk the trail, where there’s already some fitness stations, or play disc golf, then come here and get a good workout.”

As for the hardware, there’s sit-up and bench extension, balance balls, steps for working on power and cardio, rings and plyometric apparatuses. Whether you’re working on strength or flexibility, the covered station right off Buenaventura Boulevard will help you get your reps in, and its open design makes it accessible for individuals and families looking to incorporate fitness into their daily routines.

Fitness

HIIT the Clouds Away: Penni Jones on Her Journey with Fitness and Mental Health – The Sun Times News

Published

16 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

HIIT the Clouds Away: Penni Jones on Her Journey with Fitness and Mental Health – The Sun Times News

Discover how Penni Jones overcame personal challenges and built a thriving fitness community through HIIT training.

Photo: Penni Jones, owner of HIIT Happy. Courtesy of Penni Jones.

Penni Jones, owner of HIIT Happy in Dexter, has an inspiring story that motivates her clients to prioritize their health—both physical and mental. Her journey into fitness didn’t begin with dreams of six-pack abs or competitive weightlifting. Instead, it grew from a deeply personal struggle with depression and a need to reclaim her mental well-being.

From Struggles to Strength

“I went to the gym occasionally, took long walks, practiced yoga,” says Jones. “But forming a routine felt impossible. “

During her childhood, fitness for Penni Jones was focused on weight loss, shaped by societal pressures linking appearance to self-worth. Over time, her aspirations evolved from emulating Kate Moss’s slender frame to admiring the strength of The Terminator’s Sarah Connor.

Despite sporadic gym visits and yoga sessions, she struggled to maintain a routine while balancing college, jobs, and relationships. After having two children, she reached a breaking point, confronting a persistent cloud of depression that deeply impacted her life.

“By 35, I had been on and off antidepressants for 16 years,” Jones recalls. “Depression was not a constant companion, just an annoying ex that would not completely go away. Pills were not strong enough ammo in my battle with post-partum. My body did not feel like my own and neither did my brain. I felt like I was walking underwater.”

How HIIT Became a Lifeline

“I hit the gym, and I hit it hard,” Jones shared, reflecting on her turning point. “As I built my routine, I felt the clouds in my brain dissipate. And if I skipped more than a few days, those clouds would try to creep back in.”

Her fitness routine became a lifeline, helping her establish a sense of control and clarity. Now, as the owner of HIIT Happy, she’s on a mission to share that empowerment with others. Jones emphasizes the importance of making fitness non-negotiable, even when life feels overwhelming.

Why HIIT Training Works for Busy Lives

“I know it’s not easy to stay on track,” she said. “There are a million things begging for attention at all times, and it feels like fitness can wait. But it can’t. For fitness to truly work, it has to be non-negotiable.”

At HIIT Happy, the focus is on high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a workout style Jones describes as both efficient and enjoyable. “I fell in love with HIIT because it is never boring and does not take as much time as traditional workouts,” she said. “Sweat it out for 30 minutes a day, feel awesome, get stronger? Yes, please.”

Mental Health Benefits of Fitness: Penni’s Perspective

HIIT involves alternating between quick bursts of intense exercise and short recovery periods, blending cardio and weight training to maximize results in less time. Jones believes this method isn’t just about physical gains but also about mental clarity and resilience.

“Losing weight and building muscle had never been enough,” she explained. “But shifting my focus to my mental health kept me going back.”

Building a Community Through Fitness

The gym itself is a welcoming space for people of all fitness levels, with classes designed to be engaging and effective. Jones hopes to inspire others to embrace fitness as a vital part of their lives—not just to look better, but to feel better.

“It’s easy to prioritize because it’s short and fun,” she said. “HIIT is a training protocol that involves cardio and weight-training exercises performed in repeated quick bursts with periods of rest between bouts.”

Jones’ journey serves as a reminder that fitness is about more than aesthetics. It’s about finding strength—both inside and out—to face life’s challenges. At HIIT Happy, that philosophy fuels every session, ensuring clients leave not just stronger but also mentally rejuvenated.

HIIT Happy is located at 7043 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd in Dexter. Visit https://www.hiithappydexter.com/ for more information.

Fitness

Starting strong in 2025: How to build a fitness routine that will last – WHYY

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Starting strong in 2025: How to build a fitness routine that will last – WHYY

Ready to make this year your healthiest yet? Many of us start the new year with fitness goals. We’ll explore the physical and mental benefits of exercise, whether it’s weightlifting, cycling, jogging, or simply adding more movement to your day. We’ve also gathered advice from our listeners in the Greater Delaware Valley on staying motivated, breaking through workout ruts, and the life-changing impact of exercise.

Guests:

Ben Kenyon, veteran NBA performance coach.

Gretchen Reynolds, writer of the “Your Move” column for The Washington Post.