In 1986, Leelo sustained a severe closed head
injury at age 11. The devastating head impact
caused severe brain swelling, which had everyone
worried for his life. He spent 6 months in a coma,
followed by 6 months as an inpatient, where he
underwent surgical heel cord lengthening (Z-plasty)
in the attempt to bring his feet out of their
prolonged state of plantar flexion, meaning he had
to walk on his toes or not at all. Then Leelo
attended 15 more months as an outpatient at a
rehabilitation clinic. At that time, we (Leelo’s
parents) were then told he had progressed as far as
could be reasonably expected, yet he was still
paralyzed on his right side and confined to a wheel
chair. Before the accident Leelo had been right
side dominant, or right handed, but now it seemed
that he would possibly never use his right side
again. For the next 18 years we sought help in a
number of ways such as private rehab facilities
both as an in and outpatient. Leelo’s condition
slowly improved but he still had severe problems
with balance and restrictions on his entire right side.
In 2006 a family member told us about Gold’s
Gym in Conroe, Texas and that it may help Leelo
to become more functional. We all joined and got
Leelo a personal trainer named Jarrett Smilie.
Since joining the gym and getting a personal trainer
Leelo’s condition has improved dramatically. He
has gone from being 6ft, 150lbs to 175lbs, losing
10lbs of fat and adding 35lbs of much needed lean
muscle. All while dropping from 14.8% to 8.2%
body fat, which is contributed greatly to the
equaling out of his muscles bilaterally (on each
side). Where his thighs were 1 ½ inches different
in size, they’re now the same size at 19 inches.
Leelo’s arms have equaled out as well, with his
right arm growing a full 2 ¼ inches to be 14 inches
bilaterally. Both of Leelo’s calves have grown, but
with the combination of the surgical Z-plasty and
the prolonged inactivity of the right foot (due to
right side hip hiking from over use of the quadratus
lumborum muscle for so many years, said Jarrett)
there is still room for improvement. All of these
positive changes help Leelo to manipulate his body
and surroundings like he never could before.
You can really tell that Jarrett gives Leelo his all
and Leelo gives the effort right back 100%. Jarrett
knows just how to get Leelo pumped up and ready
for a good workout. Jarrett has even gone as far
as to type up an in depth stretching and workout
routine that he gives to Leelo every week for Leelo
to fill out his progress at home and bring back each
following week. These types of structured
routines have been just what Leelo has needed to
effectively alter his lifestyle towards a healthier and
more functional future.
With the folks at Gold’s Gym Leelo’s mobility on
the right side has greatly increased. There are so
many things he can now do that were virtually out
of his reach just 8 months ago. He now has full
extension of his right arm and leg, and almost full
flexion of his right shoulder, all of which had
extensive range of motion restrictions. Leelo can
walk much smoother now with the heel to toe
method, virtually eliminating the habit of hip hiking
that he exhibited for so many years. To correct
this bad habit, Jarrett had Leelo learn how to
correctly walk backward in a straight line. Once
this was accomplished, correctly walking forward
heel to toe became a much easier task for Leelo.
Jarrett first challenged Leelo’s gait ability by
slightly increasing the speed and incline of the
treadmill. Now Leelo can walk at a 15 degree
incline with no problem and is using the elliptical as
well. He can swim now, where as 8 months ago
his swimming attempt in waist high water was, at
best, going in circles, due to his right limbs inability
to work with his left limbs. He can now play ball
with his nephews ever sense Jarrett taught Leelo
the arm movements and flexibility necessary to
throw a ball, and they practice these skills
repetitively in order to strengthen that
neuromuscular control that most people have
naturally. Sometimes they will throw a tennis ball,
sometimes a football, and other times a Frisbee,
demanding Leelo’s ability to adapt to different
throwing and catching techniques. Learning how
to dribble a ball is another activity that has greatly
challenged Leelo’s finger movements on his right
hand. Just 8 months ago Leelo was knock kneed
(knees turned in), which caused a very unstable
stance. Jarrett explained that the cause of this was
most likely due to weak adductor muscles in
Leelo’s legs. Now his legs are as straight as ever,
helping along with other positive factors, such as
standing on a balance disc, to provide Leelo with
amazing improvements with his balance, as well as,
many other things most people take for granted.
We owe so very much to Jarrett and the entire
staff at Gold’s Gym. Leelo’s entire outlook on life
has changed from just existing and getting through
the days of boredom to being highly motivated and
looking forward to tomorrow. Our goal was to
find Leelo the help he has needed to become a
physically independent, stronger, and more
functional person, and that’s just what we found.
We are hopefully anticipating the remarkable things
that are going to occur in the months and years to
come with the help of Jarrett and Gold’s Gym.
Let Leelo be an example to everyone, especially
anyone who struggles with adversities. He has
combined what could have been years of
achievements into just 8 short months and with
his unrivaled determination I am sure that the near
future holds many more goals that will be
accomplished. Leelo has truly become an
inspiration to many.
In 8 months Leelo gained 35 lbs. of muscle and
lost 6.6% body fat (10 lbs.).
He is now 175 lbs. at 8.2% body fat.
Before After(5/20/07)
Weight 150 175
Body Fat 14.8 % 8.2 %
Neck 15 ¼ 15 ½
Chest 37 ¼ 39
ABD (1 inch above) 37 ½ 35 ½
ABD (1 inch below) 36 ½ 35 ½
Hips 36 ¼ 38 ½
R Thigh 16 ¾ 19
L Thigh 18 ¼ 19
R Arm(flexed) 11 ¾ 14
L Arm(flexed) 13 14
R Calf 11 ¼ 12 ½
L Calf 12 ¾ 13 ½
injury at age 11. The devastating head impact
caused severe brain swelling, which had everyone
worried for his life. He spent 6 months in a coma,
followed by 6 months as an inpatient, where he
underwent surgical heel cord lengthening (Z-plasty)
in the attempt to bring his feet out of their
prolonged state of plantar flexion, meaning he had
to walk on his toes or not at all. Then Leelo
attended 15 more months as an outpatient at a
rehabilitation clinic. At that time, we (Leelo’s
parents) were then told he had progressed as far as
could be reasonably expected, yet he was still
paralyzed on his right side and confined to a wheel
chair. Before the accident Leelo had been right
side dominant, or right handed, but now it seemed
that he would possibly never use his right side
again. For the next 18 years we sought help in a
number of ways such as private rehab facilities
both as an in and outpatient. Leelo’s condition
slowly improved but he still had severe problems
with balance and restrictions on his entire right side.
In 2006 a family member told us about Gold’s
Gym in Conroe, Texas and that it may help Leelo
to become more functional. We all joined and got
Leelo a personal trainer named Jarrett Smilie.
Since joining the gym and getting a personal trainer
Leelo’s condition has improved dramatically. He
has gone from being 6ft, 150lbs to 175lbs, losing
10lbs of fat and adding 35lbs of much needed lean
muscle. All while dropping from 14.8% to 8.2%
body fat, which is contributed greatly to the
equaling out of his muscles bilaterally (on each
side). Where his thighs were 1 ½ inches different
in size, they’re now the same size at 19 inches.
Leelo’s arms have equaled out as well, with his
right arm growing a full 2 ¼ inches to be 14 inches
bilaterally. Both of Leelo’s calves have grown, but
with the combination of the surgical Z-plasty and
the prolonged inactivity of the right foot (due to
right side hip hiking from over use of the quadratus
lumborum muscle for so many years, said Jarrett)
there is still room for improvement. All of these
positive changes help Leelo to manipulate his body
and surroundings like he never could before.
You can really tell that Jarrett gives Leelo his all
and Leelo gives the effort right back 100%. Jarrett
knows just how to get Leelo pumped up and ready
for a good workout. Jarrett has even gone as far
as to type up an in depth stretching and workout
routine that he gives to Leelo every week for Leelo
to fill out his progress at home and bring back each
following week. These types of structured
routines have been just what Leelo has needed to
effectively alter his lifestyle towards a healthier and
more functional future.
With the folks at Gold’s Gym Leelo’s mobility on
the right side has greatly increased. There are so
many things he can now do that were virtually out
of his reach just 8 months ago. He now has full
extension of his right arm and leg, and almost full
flexion of his right shoulder, all of which had
extensive range of motion restrictions. Leelo can
walk much smoother now with the heel to toe
method, virtually eliminating the habit of hip hiking
that he exhibited for so many years. To correct
this bad habit, Jarrett had Leelo learn how to
correctly walk backward in a straight line. Once
this was accomplished, correctly walking forward
heel to toe became a much easier task for Leelo.
Jarrett first challenged Leelo’s gait ability by
slightly increasing the speed and incline of the
treadmill. Now Leelo can walk at a 15 degree
incline with no problem and is using the elliptical as
well. He can swim now, where as 8 months ago
his swimming attempt in waist high water was, at
best, going in circles, due to his right limbs inability
to work with his left limbs. He can now play ball
with his nephews ever sense Jarrett taught Leelo
the arm movements and flexibility necessary to
throw a ball, and they practice these skills
repetitively in order to strengthen that
neuromuscular control that most people have
naturally. Sometimes they will throw a tennis ball,
sometimes a football, and other times a Frisbee,
demanding Leelo’s ability to adapt to different
throwing and catching techniques. Learning how
to dribble a ball is another activity that has greatly
challenged Leelo’s finger movements on his right
hand. Just 8 months ago Leelo was knock kneed
(knees turned in), which caused a very unstable
stance. Jarrett explained that the cause of this was
most likely due to weak adductor muscles in
Leelo’s legs. Now his legs are as straight as ever,
helping along with other positive factors, such as
standing on a balance disc, to provide Leelo with
amazing improvements with his balance, as well as,
many other things most people take for granted.
We owe so very much to Jarrett and the entire
staff at Gold’s Gym. Leelo’s entire outlook on life
has changed from just existing and getting through
the days of boredom to being highly motivated and
looking forward to tomorrow. Our goal was to
find Leelo the help he has needed to become a
physically independent, stronger, and more
functional person, and that’s just what we found.
We are hopefully anticipating the remarkable things
that are going to occur in the months and years to
come with the help of Jarrett and Gold’s Gym.
Let Leelo be an example to everyone, especially
anyone who struggles with adversities. He has
combined what could have been years of
achievements into just 8 short months and with
his unrivaled determination I am sure that the near
future holds many more goals that will be
accomplished. Leelo has truly become an
inspiration to many.
In 8 months Leelo gained 35 lbs. of muscle and
lost 6.6% body fat (10 lbs.).
He is now 175 lbs. at 8.2% body fat.
Before After(5/20/07)
Weight 150 175
Body Fat 14.8 % 8.2 %
Neck 15 ¼ 15 ½
Chest 37 ¼ 39
ABD (1 inch above) 37 ½ 35 ½
ABD (1 inch below) 36 ½ 35 ½
Hips 36 ¼ 38 ½
R Thigh 16 ¾ 19
L Thigh 18 ¼ 19
R Arm(flexed) 11 ¾ 14
L Arm(flexed) 13 14
R Calf 11 ¼ 12 ½
L Calf 12 ¾ 13 ½
6/18/07
| Jarrett entered Leelo into "Change your Body, Change your Life," the new Gold's Gym International contest for most improved member of the year. |
Latest News
 |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 |
5/18/07
| Leelo has won the "Change your Body, Change your Life," award in the mid-west region and we are going to the Gold's Gym annual convention in Las Vegas to accept his award and compete against the other 4 regional winners for the overall best improvement in the world award. |
7/2/07
| Leelo now uses a stability ball instead of a workout bench for chest press and other exercises. This alteration requires a lot of core strength, as well as, neuromuscular control (the ability of the mind to tell the muscles how to react in different situations.) Leelo is still making great progress with functional strength and ability. |
7/18/07
| Leelo is now the most improved Gold's Gym member in the world!! Congratulations Leelo! |
| Leelo and Jarrett were featured on the front page of the Conroe Courier. |
7/30/07
