One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of my 24 year career Managing the World Bank Fitness Centers (WBFC) was working with Jenny Stack, a deaf student from Gallaudet University in Washington DC.

A 3-4 month Internship subsequently turned into a 5 years employment at the WBFC for Jenny, and a veritable treasure trove of nice memories and learning for all of us.

 Here is a brief recap of what occurred one day in February 2004. (NB:This passage is taken directly from my article "Leaning to Communicate" which appeared in Fitness Management Magazine in March 2005).

The phone rang in my office on a typically busy day in February 2004. "Hello, Mr. James. This is the phone relay service calling for a Ms. Jenny Stack. Have YOU used a phone relay service before?"

"No," I said warily, suspecting another telemarketing firm was about to regale me with the latest and greatest money making scheme. But this was no sales ruse

. It was a call from a young student interested in an internship with our corporate fitness center. Jenny Stack explained, via the relay operator, that she was in her final year of physical education studies at Gallaudet University. (Gallaudet is almost exclusively made up of hearing-and sight-impaired students.) She had read about the World Bank Fitness Center, and was interested in broadening her experience in a fitness center environment.

     And so began our journey from a 3 month Internship to a 5 year experience. 

   After she left the WBFC Jenny in 2009 Jenny and I continued to communicate occasionally  via social media but we hadn't spoken at length for many years. I was was interested to here from Jenny to see where life had taken her since 2009 and her memories of working at WBFC.

   We recently spoke with via telephone interpreter.

   The following interview took place on Sunday August 20, 2017 . It is lightly edited for space and conversational flow.

First Things first Jenny .. when did you start and finish your career at the World Bank ?

 I started my Internship in February of 2004 and ended up working part time, 3-4 days per week,until August 2009

Why did you choose the World Bank Fitness Center for your Internship ?

I saw the advertisement for Internships via Google  and thought it would a great way to gain experience with an International organization.  I had never traveled outside of the USA so I thought it would provide opportunities to meet and work with people from many different cultures. I also Googled you and saw that you were from Australia so I thought that would be interesting as well !!

What were your duties at the WBFC ?

 I was a Fitness Specialist. I did all the routine operational tasks like taking new members through program starts, Fitness Assessments and even taught classes like Abs Express. I also assited in various promotions the fitness center had for members. Right from the start I remember you saying that , there will be a "no limits policy' and I would be expected to do everything other staff did. If there were difficulties we would find a way around them. 

How did the WBFC go about accommodating your circumstances in terms of Communicating with non hearing impaired staff and members ?

For the first 5 weeks I had a full time interpreter until I become comfortable with the operation.

 After we stopped using the Full Time interpreter we used hand gestures,  and sometimes written notes to communicate. The  Fitness staff were all very willing to help and got to know a few common greetings like Hello, good morning etc in American Sign Language (ASL)

What were your first impressions ? do you remember your Interview ?

I remember the interview very well.  You were very serious and I was impressed by how much you knew and how well respected you appeared to be with members and other staff.  As the interview proceeded I noticed that you seemed to have a sense of humor, even the interpreter was laughing, so I started to become comfortable very quickly.

 What were your impression of the members?

At first many of the members were unsure on how to approach me.  Some of the cultures seemed to worry that I couldn’t do certain things and didn’t want to impose on me. But over time both the members and I gained more confidence and began to communicate very freely. It really was a great experience for both the members and especially me.

Did the staff make you feel part of the team?

Yes they really did.  Dave, Abner and Gerene were especially helpful .  They were always encouraging me to try different things, take classes, meet new members etc . I was a little shy at first but they really made me feel comfortable and made me get out of my box and grow.  It was great "real world" experience and vastly different from Galaludet where everyone is deaf. This type of "real world" situation can be very intimidating for a deaf person but I cant thank these folks enough for how helpful they were. All the staff were great but I just had more contact with Dave, Abner and Gerene so they stand out for me.

How did you feel about the Fitness Centers Mission Statement :  To be the Best Corporate Fitness Center in the Whole Wide World?

I really  liked that . You encouraged the team to work together  to provide the best service to the members ,to stay positive and keep the facility clean and safe. But your highest priority was interacting with members and I think that really made us focus. Also how to be professional and in uniform and always be punctual. It was all part of the Mission Statement and it really gave us something to strive for.

What did you enjoy most during your time at the WBFC ?

I really enjoyed the retreats in Charlottesville. This gave us a chance to learn from experts and get to know the Volunteers a lot better.  One thing that always sticks in my mind is one evening there was a dance activity and I was surprised that you even participated and even more surprised that you could pick up  the moves so quickly. I didn’t picture you as a dancer lol

Haaaaaaaa well I think your assumption is correct Jenny I'm certainly not a dancer . Are you sure you weren't drinking at the time ?

Yes maybe that's what it was ! lol

Speaking of the Volunteers, their involvement is a very unique aspect of the WBFC  Group Exercise program. What are your memories and impressions of working with the Volunteer staff?

The main memory I have of working with the Volunteers is the teaching skills and expertise of the Volunteer coordinator George Kassouf. Not only was he a great teacher , he was a great resource, who taught me so much about cueing, timing, and exercise technique.

I also really admired the Volunteers for their dedication to the program

Were there any times working at the WBFC was not enjoyable ?  Describe if you would like to share

I didn’t like it when it was very quiet and slow. The Off peak times around 9.30 a.m-10.30 a.m and mid afternoon could be a bit boring.

What was your reaction back in 2014 when you heard that there was a possibility that the Management of the facility could possibly be outsourced ?

I was shocked and wondered “why are they even thinking that. There are over 3000 members and they all seemed very happy and the centers run so well".  I thought sadly, from what I had seen outside, that outsourcing was inevitable . I was presently surprised that the Outsourcing didn’t go ahead.  I was so happy because even though I had been gone over 5 years I still really liked the staff at the WBFC and really appreciated what I learned and still felt proud to have been part of the program

Why did you leave the WBFC ?

The other fitness center I was working  for was treating me very badly and cut back my hours so I had to try to get full time employment.

What are you doing now in terms of employment?

I am working as a claims specialist in Social Security Administration in Baltimore. It is a challenging position and just like with you at the WBFC I am encouraged to develop my skills and try new projects. Like any job it has its good and bad days but overall I quite like it. Even if it isn't the field I studied, the skills I learned at the WBFC have come in handy working at Social Security. I am also doing some part time work with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary which is really challenging.

When you think back on your time at the World Bank Fitness Center,  what are the biggest lesson you learned :

I learned so much it is hard to put in a few words.  You and the rest of the Fitness Staff believed in me and gave me a chance to grow both personally and professionally.  One example is the encouragement you and Dave gave me to participate in Spinning classes. You both really made me test my limits and from that I became more interested in cycling and now participate regularly in road racing events. 

  You all made me a better person and opened me up to other communities outside of Galludet.

Do you have any final thoughts or impressions you would like to share?

When I left the World Bank I couldn't believe I had stepped onto a new career. Working at the WBFC was such a wonderful experience I just wonder where my life would be if I didn't meet you and the rest of the team. Maybe I wouldnt have had the confidence to pursue a different career and accomplished what I have in my life.

If  I hadn't met you and come to the WBFC  I wouldn't be where I am today. You  all believed in me and I want to thank you for that. I also want to add that I received my Masters in Exercise Science in 2008 and that was because you and the rest of the team always had continuing education as a priority and really encouraged me to complete it.

Thanks Jenny, great to catch up with you and see you doing so well in your career and in life !

There you have it folks, work is about more than just earning $ $$$.

It's about the 3 R''s ... Relationships, Relationships , Relationships.

Through mutual respect and understanding,and a willingness to grow beyond our comfort zones we can all achieve  what Jenny Stack so clearly exemplifies,

A future that has "No limits  !!!"