Local trainer using boxing to help others

A local trainer uses his fitness journey to help and inspire others. Now, he wants to help those fighting a different kind of battle.

Ben Walters’s fitness journey started a few years ago.

“I was athletic growing up, then I got injured and I kind of went 180 degrees from being an athlete. I still lifted weights, I was actually pretty strong, but my dimensions for a while were five foot 10 about 355 pounds about 99% body fat,” says Walters.

When he decided to make a change. He got in the gym, started boxing again and even started competing. He’s using his experience to train others.

“I go through the journey every time with my clients when I do this and I know what they’re feeling. And I know on a Friday night when everybody’s having pizza and tacos and beer and I know what that feels like to say, ‘it can’t happen, I can’t have that.’ I know those, and I can coach people through that and say if it’s not on the diet, you don’t get to have it.”

Walters now wants to help those battling Parkinson’s Disease. After his father was diagnosed he decided to get certified in Rock Steady Boxing. A program that helps those battling Parkinson’s.

“My father had taught me boxing, growing up so I only always knew boxing kind of from the standpoint that it’s violent and there’s actually a lot of art to it.”

He says he’s excited to help people living with the disease fight through it, using the art of boxing.

Walters is still training and hasn’t started classes yet. But there are classes going on under the instruction of Sandi Gordon. If you’re interested in Rock Steady Boxing or the Parkinson’s support group at Apple Athletic Club here is the link for more information.