Still a Super Hero
He's shed his one-hundred-pound costume and green pallor but maintains some of his super powers of a sort. Jonathan Kaya, a resident of Schiller Park formerly played the role of the Incredible Hulk in the live stage show Marvel Universe Live. Now as the health fitness specialist at Sedgebrook senior living community in Lincolnshire, Kaya's super powers consist of helping older adults live their healthiest and most independent lives possible.
Kaya earned his degree in exercise science at Concordia University. "I had found that I loved fitness and enjoyed tumbling and martial arts. I consistently wanted to learn more and work harder," he said. Kaya worked in various related capacities including teaching tumbling to children, working as a personal trainer, and facilitating corporate wellness programs.
After attending a performance of Marvel Universe Live at the Allstate Arena several years ago, Kaya met the director.
"I complimented him on the show and he asked me what I did professionally. He said, 'You're in great shape,' and asked if I would be interested in auditioning."
Kaya was intrigued and said that for the next month, he prepared intensely to try out for a role.
"I watched movies and found show scenes online and replicated what I saw. I contacted a fight director and worked on the choreography. I also contacted a tumbling coach I'd worked with so I could brush up on that. All of those things were important for the role."
He flew to Florida to audition and got the part of the Incredible Hulk. For six months Kaya climbed onto painters' stilts, donned his 100-pound costume, and traveled Europe with Marvel Universe Live.
"We did roughly eight shows each week. There was a lot of wear and tear," he said, grateful for the experience but also relieved to be able to check it off on his resume.
Kaya returned to the U.S., became certified in kick-boxing and then began working with the University of Chicago Wellness Department and the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute as a performance trainer.
"My goal was to make sure that people functioned properly after rehab," he said.
Kaya started working at Sedgebrook this summer and reported that he loves it. Focusing not just on movement, but also on the quality of that movement, is not lost on his appreciative audience.
"I help people move better and consequently feel better. Residents tell me all the time that they feel so much better," he said.
Word has gotten out around the senior living community and he said there's a bit of excitement about his classes which are increasingly filling up to capacity.
Kaya and Ruth Reyna, wellness center manager at Sedgebrook, divide up teaching the diverse fitness offerings including aquacize, aerobics, resistance training, strength and balance classes, and more. He also has personal training sessions with residents.
"We offer different programs for all levels of fitness and ability," Kaya said. "Residents are increasingly understanding that staying active can have an enormous impact on their quality of life. Not only are participants joining our classes to stay healthy and independent, but also, to keep achieving even more in terms of fitness."
Sedgebrook
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living, and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.