Keep On Keepin' On With Heart & Sole

Centenarian Eleanor Olson turned 100 this past November. Staying active with family, travel, exercise and volunteering have kept her going over the years. An iPad is her latest endeavor. A resident of Lexington Square in Lombard for 25 years, her favorite quip, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it," has been heard by many. Her actions in life have been many, but it was one action 20 years ago that helped change the life of now friend and fitness mentor, Darlene Galgan.

Backtrack 20 years, when Galgan, a Glen Ellyn resident upgrading her health credentials at the College of DuPage, found that a chance encounter at the school provided her an opportunity to teach exercise to the senior citizens at Lexington Square's Lombard and Elmhurst locations. Teaching seniors was new to Galgan, yet it was short-lived as the company she worked for folded.

Galgan's fitness career had included working with high schoolers as a PhysEd teacher, dance instructor and girls gymnastics coach. However, her years of dancing on the wrong surfaces brought an unexpected back surgery. Aches and pains limited her movement. She wanted to bring her body back in shape, so she combined gentle exercise with her dance techniques, allowing her body to heal. She created her new normalcy. This new normalcy was going to mean a new career.

Little did Galgan know that the word was out at the two Lexington locations. No more Darlene Galgan at Lexington! They loved her unique approach to exercise. The senior community couldn't lose her. The seniors at the two facilities had formed a petition to "Bring back Darlene."

Galgan couldn't tell you how many signatures were on the petition, but one signature came from then 80-year-old Eleanor Olson.

Galgan had never thought of starting her own business, yet when approached, she jumped at the opportunity. "I needed to protect myself. I needed to incorporate and get liability insurance. It was good for them and me, too." This was all new to Galgan, but she was excited. "I fell in love with the idea of working with seniors with what I do best…dance!"

She continued teaching and did just that, incorporating in July of 1994. "It was just kind of a fluke! I liked it because I could decide what I wanted to teach," she said. Galgan came up with a program that covered all the bases. A senior fitness class without the heavy equipment. And it included dance.

At 100, Olson has been with Galgan since the start. "Heart & Sole has been in my life for 20 years. It's been fun exercising to music and with others, and much better than plain calisthenics." She credits Galgan's program for keeping her fit. "I feel that the regimen of Heart & Sole and my own daily activities have made it possible to keep on, keepin' on.

For the past 20 years, Galgan and her seniors have danced with heart and sole. "Many of my seniors like the social aspect of the group exercise. If you know someone else is going, it kind of forces you to go," said Galgan, adding "It's a nice social activity."

As owner and director of Glen Ellyn-based Heart & Sole Fitness, Inc., Galgan caters to the exercise needs and health of seniors at various locations throughout the suburbs and has expanded her program to include a Water Workout, Fit & Flex, Tai-Chi Exercise, Chair Yoga Pilates, and Strength and Balance. She's brought in associates to help cover the demand.

At age 65 and a Grandma herself, Galgan is in awe of Olson's determination to live life with heart & sole. She feels a closeness, a fondness especially towards Olson and those at the two Lexington Square locations for providing her the opportunity she feels blessed to have.

A celebration took place at the Lombard location on July 22, 2014. An additional celebration is planned for the residents of Lexington Square Elmhurst on Thursday, July 31, 2014 located at 400 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst in honor of this 20th anniversary.

For more information on Heart & Sole Fitness, Inc., contact Darlene Galgan at 630-858-3916.