Perseverance: The Backstory

Perseverance Pilates and Personal Training, LLC is the culmination of a vision that I, Kim Sherwin had developed as I neared the end of my undergraduate studies: to one day own my own fitness studio. This studio would be a place for the everyday workout and average person and for those with minor to life-changing functional challenges. This journey was a natural progression. My education and desired career path led me to working with a team of athletic trainers and physical therapists where I assisted in administering therapeutic exercise programs and modalities to patients of all ages and abilities. The experience and learning was paramount, but I knew something was missing between a patients discharge from therapeutic treatment and an active lifestyle. I was determined to bridge that gap, there was a need! It was an opportunity to help people advance their function, teach them how to address their needs beyond basic ADL’s,  and--with dedication and progression-- they could live their best, most functional life. Whether it is knee pain with a run or walking up the stairs or post-rehab from cardiac or other major physical ailment I wanted to design a facility where fitness professionals had the knowledge and skill set to address common fitness goals and functional limitations beyond the scope of physical therapy. Advanced intervention that will help clients live their functional life to the fullest possible rather than to a preconceived notion of inability. Instead of "I can't" or "don't ever", I wanted to build that bridge leading to "if I do it this way it will work for my body and be pain free" and "let's discuss this with your doctor and see if he/she is open to this". You see, instead of seeing a disability, I see a different ability. Instead of only cosmetic changes, I also see the energy, the joy of being pain free/minimizing the pain, the freedom a client gets from achieving all their goals, not just the numerical one. 

​

​

From there my passion and love of helping and educating clients evolved into a 14-year career in a big box gym. I listened to members and clients who repeatedly expressed the need to hire trainers who listened to them and created programming appropriate for their fitness level. They were right but this required fitness professionals to be knowledgeable, prepared, mature, responsible, and highly qualified. They further expressed the desire for a setting where they could be the focus free of distractions and inconveniences --no kids running around, no throwing weights or loud grunting, no waiting for sweat covered machines, and most importantly trainers who have professional integrity.

​

Again, my vision grew more defined.

​

It was during this time that I revisited my dreams and vowed to open my own studio: Perseverance. A fitness studio where fitness professionals guide clients through appropriately challenging exercise programs. The studio ensures professional integrity. A place where clients could be assured fitness professionals are certified by nationally recognized organizations known for strict standards and proctored testing protocols. Perseverance is a professional studio where trainers can focus on the task at hand: training! No nutrition supplement quotas, multi-level marketing, high pressure sales, mandatory membership fees, gimmicks, or flavor of the week agendas.

​

As the Owner and Founder of Perseverance Pilates and Personal Training, LLC, I wanted to accomplish several things-- among them embracing all levels of fitness while properly addressing corrective exercise needs. I envisioned a unique approach to function and fitness. I wanted a studio that provided traditional resistance training, Pilates, and therapeutic equipment coupled with professional expertise to provide an effective way to train and progress every body regardless of function or different abilities. My firsthand experience proved the benefits of utilizing various training approaches to meet the needs of clientele, but there just was not a practical approach to this in the big box fitness industry. Thus, Perseverance was opened!!

​

 

Paying It Forward 

 

At the heart of the name of this company is a personal fight so important that I included it in my graduate college admissions essay: establishing a scholarship to help victims of domestic abuse afford schooling and costs therein as they work to gain financial independence. As a victim of domestic violence, I left my abuser when my child was a few months old. Thereafter, I went through 17 years of harassment, stalking, violence, abuse, theft, psychological games, and all sorts of unimaginable terror. That said, I understand why some people lose hope and belief in themselves, society, and in the judicial system. Domestic violence is emotional and physical with psychological impact being the worst. Some think sleeping on floors with your toddler in a sleeping bag and single pillow with no food or clean clothes was terrible, but it wasn't that bad. Maybe when you add situations where upon leaving for work at dawn find your car battery was stolen again, or the fuses taken out again, or tires slashed/deflated...again. But there was no stopping, you carry that child for miles and get her to day care early enough so she can eat breakfast--you'll figure out how to get to work presentable from there, again! Still not so bad, just another day, another obstacle, and still  the easy part—yes, the day-in and day-out ritual to simply live a life was still easy—it's what I knew, it's what I expected every single day and night. The hard part was not knowing if any of it was worth the dreams you have. To know if you’d be alive another day to keep studying, keep watching your child grow, just keep on keeping on. Waiting for the time to come where you would no longer work 2 or 3 jobs and go to school full-time while raising a small child but instead where you'd have an education, something he could never take from you and you can say, "I did it, I persevered through all you can dish out".

​

But one day the inevitable happened: there came a time when I was ready to give up. I saw the police walk through the front doors of my job and stop at the desk. This was the third time in about a week or so. At that moment I knew I couldn't let this follow me to this business and I knew I would have to quit a job I loved. But that didn't happen. My boss walked over to the police and instead of asking me to leave he walked them out and went to the police department for a chat with the Chief. He had my back. He could’ve let me go—I was replaceable—it would have been the best business decision, but that boss had morals and values that were not easily shaken, he was not to be intimidated. Little did he know that his act was the turning point encouraging several police agencies to come together and compare notes forcing them to realize the extent and layers of abuse and harassment. For the first time in IL, orders of protection were granted and investigating agencies turned the tables. I wasn’t free from abuse, but it was a step, some hope. 

​

This is how them idea of the Perseverance Scholarship Fund came about: I wanted to provide an opportunity to help those trying to do better and make a life despite the continual setbacks. I am just a statistic. 1 in 4 women are victims, some to a greater extent, some not but all victims just the same. One way to pay it forward is to aid in providing resources for an individual to work toward a career once they leave a situation. Being able to support and provide for oneself is the foundation in leaving an abusive situation. Perseverance intends to work with local agencies to help persons who are in situations similar to mine. Once the details of a scholarship fund are set up and details are outlined, you can donate. In the meantime, you can read more about the Perseverance Scholarship Fund in the Giving Back tab.

​

A second well deserved component Perseverance passionately believes in is recognition of our Men and Women of the Armed forces and the First Responders who serve our communities. Through this program we hope to reach more men and women who have sacrificed so much of themselves to serve and protect our freedoms and lives.  More information is available in Honoring Heroes on our Giving Back Tab. If you know someone who can use some help, please encourage them to reach out and take advantage of the private studio and services offered.