It’s Member of the Month time!
This month the award goes to our gentle giant and familiar face around Parkwood, Dave.
Below is Dave's story in his own words:
"My journey with the gym started back in 1999.
Back when I was 32 years old, I was walking home after a night out and got assaulted in Salisbury by 3 men, who left me in an unconscious state after stealing my phone and wallet. I spent 2 weeks in Odstock hospital with a broken jaw in 2 places and broken ribs. The road to recovery was very hard. I awoke after 7 hours of surgery to find my mouth was wired shut, with just a small hole so I could drink from a straw. I was off work for a total of 3 months to recover; my weight went from 13 stone down to 9 stone. I looked awful and most of all felt terrible inside, losing my confidence to the point where I couldn't even face being around anyone. I was truly broken as a person.
Once I returned back to work, I was speaking to a colleague who suggested that maybe the gym would help me rebuild myself as a person and regain my confidence/personality, which had totally changed from the ordeal.
I decided to join the Guilder Centre (now MyGym). Walking through the door was the hardest thing I think I've ever done, but once I'd explained my situation to the instructor, my journey to recovery had started.
I went from strength to strength and over 6 months, my weight had rocketed up and I started to like myself once again when I looked in the mirror. Gone was the straggly 9 stone man, now I was 17 stone and my confidence was slowly coming back.
I stayed at the Guilder Centre for 10 years. Then, after winning a one months membership at Parkwood, I decided to move across to where I am today, and where I have been for the past 12 years.
My journey at Parkwood has been a great experience. Over the last 12 years, I've made such great friends and learnt so much more about fitness. I am amazed even to this day, with how gym life has helped me through depression, anxiety and liking myself again. It is definitely something I would recommend to everyone."