Four decades ago, Linda began as an instructor at what was then the Newtown Racquetball Club. She became the director of a style of group exercise that was just beginning to gain popularity at the time – aerobics. Throughout the decades, Linda's role grew and changed with the club, from aerobics to public relations and charitable giving. The words “I can't” are not in Linda’s vocabulary. If something needs to be done, Linda is on the front lines of solving the problem, learning a new skill, and leading the charge. In addition to her professional contributions to establishing the NAC as a leader in its industry, she maintained close ties in the community. In the late 1990s, she helped to develop a program that still exists today, which provides need-based memberships at little to no cost. Linda has helped lead the growth of charitable giving via the NAC Have a Heart Foundation, providing millions of dollars of both monetary donations and services to support local and national charities, with one of the most prominent causes being ALS research. To date, the NAC has contributed over 3 million dollars to the cause. Throughout her tenure, she has displayed extraordinary leadership, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those in need. When Linda’s role required her to become an expert in government relations and advocacy, Linda got right to work. She played a pivotal role in promoting the passage of the federal Right to Try Bill, which safeguards the rights of terminally ill Americans. She is at the forefront of advocacy for the PHIT bill, which would allow HSA and FSA tax-free dollars to be spent on lifestyle preventative services such as youth sports and health club memberships. To support her work in federal advocacy she founded the PA Fitness Alliance which is a consortium of Pennsylvania health and fitness clubs and boutique facilities to provide one voice at the state level of government to advocate for public policy which supports the fitness industry. Most recently, Linda has spearheaded the groundbreaking 52K in 52 Weeks Initiative of the Have a Heart Foundation which donates $1,000 or more each week to a different local charity. This program is ongoing year after year and has supported hundreds of local charities, nonprofits, and families in need.

We Asked Linda…

How did you get started?
My career in fitness began just after my first child was born in 1981. After graduating from college with a degree in Dance/Education I found myself drawn to the dance aerobics trend and found work teaching at the then Newtown Racquetball Club. I quickly took over the aerobics program which grew from 3 teachers and a dozen classes a week to 60 teachers and 250 classes per week over a period of years. I thought I would stay for 10 years. It is now 43 years later and I am still at the Newtown Athletic Club running the NAC Have a Heart Foundation, the PA Fitness Alliance, as well as doing Public and Government Relations for the club on behalf of the fitness industry at every level of government from local to federal.

Who or what inspired you most in your line of work?
Initially, I was inspired by the great innovators in the fitness and exercise program development space throughout the 1980s and 1990s – think Jane Fonda. As I moved into the business side of the industry in the 1990s and as the Newtown Athletic Club was expanding I became more influenced by business leaders in the industry. Personally, I have been most influenced by the owner of the NAC, Jim Worthington. Having worked closely with him for over 40 years, I have been able to see his vision, help him implement it, and see the benefits of it. That vision has been to make people’s lives better through access to health and wellness activities and facilities as well as through connection with family and community through programs, sociability, and education. Our community, our nation, needs to be connected so that we can serve the mutual benefit of all individuals at every level of life: physical and mental health, social interaction, recreation, and academic excellence.

What about your organization makes you the proudest?
From my perspective, I am most proud of what the Newtown Athletic Club brings to the community in terms of health and wellness as well as through the opportunity to support the community through the NAC Have a Heart Foundation. One of the foundation’s many missions is the 52K in 52 Weeks initiative which awards $1,000 each week to a different local charity, non-profit, or someone in dire need of assistance to get through an extenuating circumstance brought on by tragedy or unforeseen circumstances. This has allowed the Foundation, which is supported by the NAC, the members, and the community to spread the wealth to those in need and spread the word about that need.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?
I was most surprised during the pandemic in 2020 when health clubs were shut down and people had difficulty accessing one of the activities they needed most to combat the virus – and that was exercise – to support their immune systems which would allow them to remain more healthy in the face of the virus. The silver lining is that more people now realize that exercise and healthy living are essential to living a full life and should be incorporated into all our lives in some fashion.

What advice would you share for any woman looking to start or join an organization such as yours?
I think the fitness industry has the potential to offer a flexible career path that a woman can stay with for the long haul. There are ways to be involved at whatever level you wish, from very part-time endeavors, such as teaching group exercise, to full-time commitments such as management, fitness training, and design or program development. My advice is to consider where you are in life and if you think this industry is for you, find the level of commitment that suits you now, dip your toe into the water, and see where it takes you.

What in your life do you NOT spend time on?
I do not spend time allowing myself to become too anxious. I try to do my best with every challenge I am given and if I feel I have done that, then I let it go. I have also learned that I am not good at everything, so I focus on the things I do best and find ways to work with others effectively who have the skill sets that I don’t have.

The best piece of advice that a mentor gave to you …could be anyone in your life or on any subject?
I have been mentored by Jim Worthington for decades and many years ago he shared with me a quote that has informed my decisions in my career and even in my life. “Successful people do what unsuccessful people can do, but choose not to.” Whenever I evaluate if I have done enough to achieve a goal, I remember this quote and decide if I have done enough. Usually, there is always something else that can be done.

Do you have any daily rituals or weekly rituals that help keep you on track?
Honestly, each day for me is different as a result of being in charge of a variety of organizations. What does remain constant is that I try to engage in some physical activity 3 to 4 times a week, whether it be working with my trainer, doing my own workout, or walking as much as possible throughout the day. If I don’t move, I lose my edge and creativity. One daily ritual that I try to remain consistent with is each morning I read an affirmation and allow a few minutes to think about it and how it applies to my life. This is a mindset habit that keeps me grounded for the day and goes a long way to maintaining a healthy perspective.

What are you most proud of in your work?
After over 40 years in the fitness industry at the Newtown Athletic Club, there was a time when I would have said I am most proud of my contribution to the establishment of a quality group exercise program that has touched thousands of people over the years. But now that I have become so involved in the NAC Have a Heart Foundation as its Executive Director, I would put charitable work at the top of my accomplishments. After having raised millions of dollars for ALS research over the last 2 decades, the establishment of the 52K in 52 Weeks Initiative which awards $1,000 each week to a different local charity makes me the most proud. This program not only spreads the wealth but also spreads the word about the need for support for those less fortunate right in our own communities. Often these needs go unnoticed and we have been able to put many smaller grassroots charitable organizations on the map through our program.

What’s next for you?
This is always a great question and the best I can offer in the way of an answer is that I will continue doing the work of the NAC Have a Heart Foundation as long as possible, hopefully finding a way to create a perpetual funding mechanism so that the work in support of our communities will never stop. One thing that experience has taught me is that one should never rest on their laurels. I will always seek opportunities to contribute with the talents that I possess. Having a purpose and making a contribution are what make life exciting.

Photography by Alison Dunlap

Bucks Happening collaborated with our partners at Fox & Holly to dress our 2023 Happening Women Honorees. Fashion was custom-selected based on each woman's personality. Check out Fox & Holly, part of the locally-owned LSL Brands company, owned and led by Bucks County entrepreneur Karen Thompson.

Linda is wearing:
Vegan leather shacket by Free People
Tunic by Free People
Jeans by FDJ French Dressing Jeans

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