My Exercise Journey:
Hi there! My name is Bailey, the newest exercise specialist here at LifestyleRx!
I graduated in 2024 with my Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Montana and am honored to use my knowledge and education to help the community. With my university education and my experience most recently working at North Idaho Cardiac Rehabilitation, I have embraced physical activity as a form of lifestyle medicine and seen how it enhances quality of life. This has inspired me to get more involved in the community beyond cardiac rehab.
Growing up in North Idaho, I participated in a variety of sports and outdoor activities, including soccer, track, dirt bike riding, hiking, running, and weight lifting. Early on, I personally experienced the noticeable benefits of regular physical activity. These include, but are not limited to, improved energy levels, sleep, overall range of motion and balance, and even improvements in mental health. With my background in team sports and exercise, I knew from a young age that in my future career, I 1 wanted to work closely with people, and 2 I wanted to be in a career that encourages regular exercise.
I attended college at the University of Montana knowing that I wanted to major in something exercise-related. During my senior year in one of my favorite classes, ‘Exercise, Disease, & Aging’, I was first exposed to cardiac rehab. I learned how regular exercise helps treat and prevent a variety of chronic diseases, which intrigued me. I accepted an internship at North Idaho Cardiac Rehabilitation, where I quickly learned that cardiac rehab is far more than just healing the heart and improving its functions. It also includes building close relationships with patients and helping them recover from a traumatic event through various methods of lifestyle medicine, including physical activity, in order to help them reach their health and lifestyle goals.
This experience was a full circle moment for me in regards to my background in exercise. I learned that exercise not only has direct improvements on one’s physical and mental health, but also is a method of preventative medicine to help anybody and everybody, regardless of their current health status, to reach optimal health and enhance overall quality of life. I want to use my knowledge and passion in movement to help the community improve their health, reach their goals, and live their best life.
