Feeling Fit with Ryan Levinson

18:00 PM CET | 17:00 PM UK | 12:00 PM Noon ET | 11:00 AM CT | 10:00 AM MT | 9:00 AM PT

Join this month’s guest, Ryan Levinson, who will be sharing some of his favorite “exercise cheats.” Ryan is a legend in our community for his physical training regimen that has enabled him to compete in sailing and cycling at the highest levels. Diagnosed with FSHD as a teenager, he has never let his diagnosis keep him from pursuing his dreams.

In early 2015, Ryan and his wife sailed away from their home in San Diego, California, to voyage down the coast of Mexico and across the Pacific Ocean to the Islands of Tahiti.  Since then, they have been exploring the remote islands and atolls of the tropical South Pacific while surfing, diving, kiteboarding, swimming, and creating music in the  small studio they installed in the boat.  Like many people with FSHd, Ryan’s muscle loss makes it impossible for him to lift up his arms, do a single sit-up or push-up, walk more than short distances, nor do many other movements typically associated with a lifestyle like his.  To mitigate this loss, Ryan leaned on his former experience as a professional athlete, as well as his formal training in rescue, ocean-sports instruction, and adventure operations, to develop and follow an intensive training program that uses some unique adaptations to help him maintain the functional ability, mental clarity, and  the skills needed for his active lifestyle.  Ryan and his wife share their adventures on their YouTube channel Adventures of Two Afloat.

For people living with FSHD who are interested in exercise and fitness, we meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 12:00 pm (noon) U.S. Eastern Time. Come dressed for exercise and have on hand any safety and assistive devices you need. Not every exercise is appropriate or safe for every individual, so please use your best judgement and consult your health care provider.

Please come prepared with a stable chair or stool (back of chair is optional). You can also choose to bring light weights ranging from 1lb to 5lb.