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Inviting Arkansas - Index

Inviting Arkansas - magazine - Index

In the Spotlight Henry Hawk, Baptist Health Active Living
Arkansas’ Own
Jack LaLanne
Wanda Ibsen, age 84 had become
weary while taking care of
her frail husband. She just wasn’t
steady on her feet anymore and
found she wasn’t able to enjoy
life as she once had. Her friends
Elaine Goss and Annie Goss, both
84, had been attending workout
classes with “Coach” Henry Hawk
at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior
Center for quite some time and
Wanda had witnessed physical
and mental results of their time
with him. “They were getting
stronger and having a great time
with Coach and I wanted what
they had,” Wanda said. “And
Henry Hawk is a miracle worker.
He has put me back on my feet.
Literally.”
Jim Gray, age 71, is a retired
air force officer, fit as a fiddle with
a fitness level that exceeds most
adults. He jogs and works out on
his own, yet he still finds Henry’s
classes an opportunity to gain
strength and enjoy the camaraderie
with fellow seniors. “Henry
has given us all the magic elixir: exercise. We
all now know you’re never too old to start
working out!” Although Jim’s endurance may
be higher than some of his exercise buddies,
he enjoys that everyone works out at their
own pace and enjoys their time together.
In 2002, Imogene Smith, now age 68, suffered
a spinal cord injury that left her bound
to a wheelchair. Full of hopelessness and fear,
and totally dependent on others, Imogene
prayed for help; prayed to walk again. After
she read a letter sent by Baptist Health Senior
Services Manager, Linda Finley about Henry
Hawk’s fitness programs, Imogene’s prayers
were answered. Her determination set inand
so did Henry’s. Henry had been praying
for opportunities to help all he was capable
of assisting. After the pairs first encounter,
Imogene, known simply as “the lady in the
wheelchair” and Henry began a personal journey
and challenge to get Imogene on her feet.
After days, weeks, months and years of working
together, she can now walk.
Henry was approached by Baptist Health’s
55 Plus program several years ago after an ongoing
fitness article he had written was read
and appreciated by Baptist. He began teaching
fitness programs at Baptist Health in 2003
and now has two classes each at the Patrick
Henry Hays Senior Center and Baptist Health.
He also has a four-week-only course at both
locations, where he demonstrates his tips for
staying fit at any age.
Henry has embraced his fitness teaching
as a gift and feels his ability to share with others
is his ministry. The only request he makes
of his students is to “give it all they have.”
“Throughout my coaching career, I stressed
that a person should always work to be the
best they can be,” says Henry. “People must
make a commitment toward doing their best
at whatever they are doing. It doesn’t matter
if it’s athletics, art, business, or other areas.”
His technique, although somewhat intense,
is always gentle. He approaches each person
differently and doesn’t set unobtainable goals
for new students. “Personally, I feel that the
mental side of anything is more difficult to
execute than the physical,” Henry concluded.
“My fitness programs are not extravagant and
don’t require elaborate equipment. This program
only requires consistency and intensity.”
He feels the four steps to achieving fitness are
to first decide what you want to accomplish,
then set goals, followed by making a plan and
then finally changing your lifestyle.
Henry is now a fixture at Baptist Health,
helping with fitness programs, participating
in seminars, and lending his expertise.
Linda Finley feels fortunate to have Henry
on the Baptist Health – Active Living Team.
“He works very hard to make people believe
they can reach their health and fitness goals.
When I visit one of his classes, I am always
impressed at how dedicated he is to spreading
‘the gospel’ of fitness to those who really
need to hear,” she adds. “Henry is clearly in
great physical condition. Instead of taking
satisfaction in what he has done for himself
and stopping there, he is driven to share with
others that they can do it too.”
A resident of Conway, Henry engages his
own community in fitness by teaching fitness
classes at his church, First Presbyterian, and
at Centennial Valley Country Club. When he
is not teaching, Henry is training himself by
running, weight training and playing golf.
The fitness bug has rubbed off on his wife
Jane who trains and takes her husband’s fitness
classes. In addition, Henry serves on the
Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness.
At 71, Henry doesn’t plan on slowing down.
“I don’t take any medication and I have more
enthusiasm for life now than I did when I was
40,” he said, smiling. “All because I do different
things to stimulate my mind and body.”
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Inviting Arkansas