Suzanne Andrews Death Defying Story
Why Am I So Passionate About Helping You Reach Your Best Health?
It's amazing how one decision can alter your life forever. One fateful night, my mother, a single parent of 5, left her waitress job two hours earlier to check on me because I told her I wasn't feeling well. Instead of taking the bus like she normally did because she couldn't afford a car, she rushed home in a cab. Arriving home, she fought a rising panic as she saw her child motionless.
At the hospital the Dr. informed her, "it's a good thing you found her when you did as she would not have survived 2 more hours. Still, she only has a 50 percent chance of surviving surgery and we don't know if she will survive the surgery."
Diagnosed with a ruptured appendix and a severe infection, pain soared through me with a terrible intensity that felt like a sharp toothed creature eating me inside. I awoke from surgery with a fever of 106, tubes up my nose and in my stomach. Every jostle sent ripples of pain through my 10 year old body. I was given last rites and placed in the terminally ill wing. My dear mother never left my side. Teetering on the edge of death for 30 dubious days, I miraculously survived. That experience profoundly affected my life.
I was not one of the "cool" kids. I skipped 3 grades in high school as books became my cherished companions. I was different and bullied constantly because of it. Even beat up. I learned that while exercise helped soothe the depression from being bullied, health begins in the mind. We all need motivation and that's what I can help you with!
That defining experience wasn't to be my last. While working as a rehab clinician (occupational therapy), I tore my shoulders while saving a patient from getting crushed against a table while her power wheelchair ran amok. Scheduled to film the arthritis water therapy for PBS TV, I had to recover as I couldn't lift my arms. After surgery, I rehabbed myself with #functionalfitness, yoga, dynamic stretching, arm conditioning exercises, and the arthritis water therapy moves.
There was still more to overcome. Back and neck injuries from a car accident, giving birth by c-section. Later, I died on the operating table undergoing the same surgery that killed Joan Rivers. After giving birth, I learned I have Hashimoto's disease which makes it easy to gain weight and hard to lose. I had an excess 60 pounds to lose. Tried many other programs before I created Functional Fitness but they were way too hard and took too long. If you've seen my TV show, you know I believe in treating you as a whole.
Integrity in everything we do
From a young age, I learned the value of what is really important and it's not stuff. Because my mom was a single parent of 5 kids, we were lucky to get one toy at Christmas. I learned to appreciate everything, know the value and rewards of hard work with integrity and feel a passion for living, and purpose for what is really important in life.
Integrity is important to me. That's why you will only find evidenced based workouts and no outrageous claims. Just real, honest Dr. approved workouts made for real people 40 and better.
I will never forget the kind nurses, Physical Therapists and Doctors that breathed new life into me. Now I'm paying that kindness forward by helping you take charge of your health naturally through Healthwise Exercise TV and our affordable Functional Fitness DVDs. With our medically proven programs, you never pay multiple co-pays and you save money on medical bills. Healthwise Exercise helps you practice true Health Care so you can live your best life by getting stronger and living longer!
I would like to extend a heart-felt thank you for your support. Proudly made in the USA
