Author
Susanne Münchberg, as appeared in Alpha1 Journal 1/2022.
In 2019, our pulmonary exercise trainer was out for an extended period due to knee surgery. There was no one to cover for him, so our group didn't meet for a while, which we all found very disappointing and also detrimental to our health.
I had just turned 60 and had been wondering what I wanted to do in the next decade of my life. I was looking for something new and meaningful – could a coaching license be the right thing? I inquired and learned that the training required a time commitment of two to three extended weekends and three week-long sessions. Despite my considerable exam anxiety, which certainly doesn't lessen with age, I bravely agreed.
The training was very interesting and educational and was supposed to conclude in 2020 with a teaching demonstration in theory and practice. I even learned how I could (theoretically, of course) perform a heart transplant! But then came Corona, and all my plans were initially thwarted. However, I didn't let that deter me and finally completed my training at the end of 2021.
What was great was that I was able to take over a pulmonary exercise group at our sports club, TSV Lunestedt, and thus get straight to work. Every Tuesday, I lead up to 14 participants, and we exercise with great joy and fun on stools and while standing. I wear my oxygen concentrator, which has already helped some people overcome their fear of using it during pulmonary exercise training.
I get great feedback from my group because, as a trainer, my own lung limitations make me very approachable and authentic to people.
The training to become a pulmonary exercise instructor has boosted my self-confidence, and I find the work very fulfilling. I'm pleased that my instructions are well-received and that we're all getting fitter as a team. There are so few pulmonary exercise groups here in the north: Cuxhaven is three-quarters of an hour away, and Bremen is still half an hour. So it's fantastic that we're filling this gap in Lunestedt.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact me at s.muenchberg@tsv-lunestedt.de.
