Kacey Dannels recently achieved a significant milestone on her journey to becoming an official Special Olympics Health Messenger by leading a one-hour circuit workout for her team, the Hays Buffalos. This accomplishment marked the completion of her practicum project, officially making her a Health Messenger on September 15th, 2024. Her passion for health and fitness shines through her dedication, and she is now focused on inspiring her teammates and others to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Kacey’s decision to become a Health Messenger was rooted in her desire to prioritize her health and guide others along the same path. “I wanted to get more healthy and knew that becoming a Health Messenger would steer me in the right direction,” she explained. Her commitment to improving her well-being and encouraging others to make better health choices was a key motivator in taking on this leadership role.
Completing the practicum project proved to be a rewarding experience for Kacey, especially because of the support she received from her team and community. “Knowing that I have a group willing to help me finish my project and participate in the class was amazing,” she said. The Hays Buffalos, her Special Olympics team, enthusiastically engaged in the hour-long workout, showcasing their trust in her leadership and commitment to health.
Preparing for the workout wasn’t easy, but Kacey had valuable guidance from her mentor, Erin McDaniel, her coach, Tiffany Schulte, and her running coaches, Noelee and Roberta. “They helped me plan the class because I had never done it before,” Kacey shared. One of the challenges she faced was coming up with a variety of exercises to avoid repetition. With their support, Kacey successfully developed a circuit with 10 stations, ensuring the workout remained dynamic and engaging.
The circuit included exercises such as squats, wall sits, lunges, and step-ups, targeting different muscle groups for a full-body workout. “I wanted to make sure everyone worked different parts of their body, rather than focusing on the same muscles,” Kacey explained. The variety in the exercises helped create a balanced and effective workout for her teammates.
Kacey’s efforts were well-received, and she felt proud of her team’s response. “I thought they did really well! Their attitudes were positive, and I received great feedback. They liked it!” she said. Her coach, Tiffany Schulte, praised Kacey’s leadership, saying, “Kacey did an excellent job explaining the exercises for each station. She truly showed leadership while teaching the Healthy Buffalos fitness class.” The success of the practicum project reinforced Kacey’s belief in the importance of helping others live healthier lives.
As a Health Messenger, Kacey is eager to continue promoting health and fitness within her community. She believes that while staying healthy may not always be easy, it’s achievable with determination and the right mindset. “I hope to stay active and continue making healthy choices,” she said.
Her advice to other athletes who want to improve their fitness is simple: “Get up and walk just a mile a day, and if you feel comfortable, keep gradually increasing it.” Kacey credits her family and coaches for showing her how easy it can be to make healthy choices and encourages others to seek guidance from those around them.
Being submitted to the Special Olympics North America directory of official Health Messengers is an exciting opportunity for Kacey. “It feels great to do something different,” she shared. As she moves forward in her role, Kacey looks forward to helping her teammates and others reach their health goals and make positive, lasting changes.
With her practicum project complete and her new role as a Health Messenger, Kacey is poised to make a meaningful impact on her team and community. We are excited to see the positive influence she will continue to have as she leads others toward healthier, happier lives.
