Meet Samantha Kelly, General Manager at Madonna ProActive (madonnaproactive.org)
Tell us a little about your business. – Madonna ProActive is a medically based fitness facility with a holistic approach to health and wellness. We focus on the whole person rather than just physical activity alone. We are a full-service gym with a variety of equipment, 90+ weekly group fitness and yoga classes, personal training, wellness coaching, nutrition coaching with a registered dietitian plus medical services. The medical services include physical therapy, cardiac rehab, cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure checks and more! It’s a one stop shop for health and wellness!
How did you get started in the business? – My start in the fitness industry began with a personal passion to understand the human body, physically, mentally and emotionally. I achieved my undergrad and graduate degree in nutrition and health sciences with a specialization in exercise physiology and minor in psychology. Eventually, I became an exercise physiologist, worked with a variety of clients and managed multiple fitness programs. Now, as Madonna ProActive’s General Manager, I have the opportunity to continue in the health and wellness industry through positively impacting staff, the members and general public by ensuring Madonna ProActive maintains its mission of providing a welcoming environment and holistic health services to the Lincoln community.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – COVID. The pandemic was extremely challenging for the health and wellness industry. The fear of going out in public, let alone going to a gym, made it challenging for the business but also the community to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It took three years to rebuild.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Leading a team through a pandemic and rebuilding the business.
Tell us a little about your family. – My little family includes myself, Spencer, my fiancé and our dog, Lana. Spencer and I are from Lincoln and we are close with both of our immediate families, often times we are hanging out with them!
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I decided I no longer wanted to pursue a career in medicine. Instead I decided preventative health and wellness is more impactful and what is missing in the United States. There is a lack of importance focused on how we can prevent or mitigate disease states through lifestyle choices. Instead, individuals do not take responsibility for their lifestyle choices nor corrective action and many rely on insurance. Sadly, health insurance is what dictates how some people choose take care of themselves from day to day because of how insurance is structured. This sent me in a new trajectory and positively changed my life.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – In college, I was a competitive Olympic-style weightlifter at the national level. I used travel to competitions and at one time had VERY lofty goals of going to the Olympics one day.
Who inspires you? – My brother. He has faced a variety of adversities throughout his life and continues to push forward. Within the last few years he started his own automotive business, out grew the first location and always strives for progress personally and professionally.
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – The Oven.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 413-4011 | skelly@madonna.org | madonnaproactive.org