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Pushed To The Wall For Charitable Dollars

Photo by DEREK MAUL

Moe’s Southwest Grill General Manager Ben Adams is participating in the weight-loss program, the brainchild of Lifestyle Family Fitness trainers Gretchen Trasorras, center, and Jessica Adams.

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By DEREK MAUL

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 21, 2009

BRANDON - Two fitness experts at Lifestyle Family Fitness, 623 Oakfield Drive, recently launched an innovative program designed to boost business while raising money for local charities.

With a challenging economy impacting so many pocketbooks, expenditures considered nonessential often are the first on the chopping block.

Personal trainers have been feeling the pinch.

That's when Gretchen Trasorras and Jessica Adams stepped up with a novel program they call "The Wall."

"In November, I was sparking ideas about what can we do during the lean times," Trasorras said. "We wanted to generate business, meet the needs of members, help local charities and give exposure to sponsor businesses."

The plan pairs weight loss with cash for local charities. Every pound lost is represented by a brick, stapled to "The Wall" in the fitness center lobby. And every brick is matched by a dollar from each of the six corporate sponsors.

"The plan is win-win for everyone involved," Trasorras said. "Clients lose weight and gain health. Charities receive much-needed money, corporate sponsors get great publicity, we increase our client base."

And the entire building gets to rock out to Pink Floyd's iconic "Another Brick in the Wall" every time the evidence is stapled in place.

"We started in the middle of November," Trasorras said. "We raised $148 dollars that month. Then in December, $390 came in. It's growing. We want to continue to add sponsors, as well as clients."

December's total was helped by several sponsors - Nutrishop, Absolute Nutrition, Oakfield Lanes, McDermott & Thacker, TIG and the Tampa Bay Lightning all contributed. Moe's Southwest Grill and Artistic Nails & Beauty have jumped on board for January.

Moe's general manager Ben Adams works both ends of the equation and has earned 10 bricks in two weeks.

"These guys help push you to make you do better," he said. "My wife, Nicole, got me a personal trainer for Christmas. Moe's is committed to helping the community - that's what we like to do."

So far, participants range in age from 26 to 73.

Riverview resident Carrie Miller said she has lost eight pounds so far. Participant Bernie Howell said, "It's not just for me. I'm helping some children."

Trasorras, 43, who has been in the business more than 20 years, and former circus performer Adams, 26, both see a strong correlation between fitness and general health.

"We have been seeing success with the nutrition program I'd put together," Trasorras said. "I thought maybe we can put these pounds in a pile, and each one have a tangible value."

That value, evidenced by a growing pile of bricks on the wall, also is benefiting Metropolitan Ministries and Everyday Blessings in Thonotosassa.

"We're looking to help an animal shelter, too," Adams said.

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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