NEWSLETTER
READ ABOUT LYNN TOTH, FIERCE PICKLEBALL PLAYER AND BELOVED MEMBER ON PAGES 10 AND 11.
WAYNESBORO FAMILY YMCA
November 2026
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Member and Modern Day Renaissance Man Shares Holistic Perspective on Life
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Luke Amos
Luke Amos is not easily defined by a single interest. Music, poetry, history, philosophy, religion, literature and science all compete for his attention. He is an intellectual at heart, a creative thinker and, perhaps, a modern-day Renaissance man who believes that a fulfilling life is one that embraces many different pursuits. At the center of that philosophy is something that might seem an unlikely companion to poetry and religious studies: fitness. At age 19, the connection between mind and body has become an important part of his personal development. And the YMCA has been a significant part of that journey, providing not only a place to build physical strength but also a community in which he could grow into the young man he is today. His relationship with the Y actually began long before he started lifting weights. As a homeschooled child, Luke remembers Thursday routines that included swimming with his family before heading across the street for piano lessons. Those early memories helped establish a connection with the YMCA that would take on new meaning as he got older. Around age 15, Luke began taking fitness more seriously. Initially motivated by a friend's transformation through weightlifting, he was drawn to the confidence that building muscle could bring. He first tried Planet Fitness but eventually found himself gravitating toward the YMCA. He appreciated the equipment, the atmosphere and, especially, the people. Older members who regularly lifted weights took an interest in him and his friends, offering advice and helping them learn their way around the equipment. "There was a community of older people that could share their knowledge," Luke recalled. Those interactions helped make the Y feel like a place where he belonged. What began as an interest in getting stronger gradually became something much more meaningful. "I think working out was the first thing that I really tried to keep myself responsible to," he said. "It was something that I didn't need to do, but I wanted to do, and I would do it." Luke describes that realization as part of his coming of age. Fitness became less about appearance and more about self-development, discipline and learning to take responsibility for himself. Today, he approaches exercise as a way to find clarity. Whether lifting weights, walking or running, he believes physical movement has a profound effect on how a person thinks and feels. Amos reflected, "I've walked myself out of my worst days and into my best days at the Y." The thought is inspired by the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, whose writings about walking and the connection between movement and clear thinking resonated with Luke. For him, exercise is a way to work through difficult moments rather than retreat from them. It provides perspective, helps him reflect and allows him to approach life's challenges with a clearer mind. That reflective nature extends well beyond the weight room. Luke is the oldest of six children, and his younger brothers have followed his example by taking an interest in working out. He enjoys helping them learn, recognizing that his own development can influence theirs. Meanwhile, his intellectual interests continue to expand. Currently attending Piedmont Virginia Community College, Luke plans to transfer to the University of Virginia, where he hopes to study history and religious studies. His ultimate ambition is to teach world religion. He also writes on Substack and hopes to explore journalism and writing opportunities at UVA. His interests reflect a philosophy he has encountered in the work of Russian thinker Vladimir Solovyov: the idea of integral knowledge, bringing together scientific understanding, philosophical thought and artistic or religious expression. Luke tries to apply that holistic approach to his own life. "I want to be as holistic as I possibly can," he explained. "I just want to be as vivid as I can." Luke’s YMCA journey has shown him that true strength goes far beyond the weight room, encompassing discipline, self-awareness, relationships and the confidence to explore who he is. As he prepares for his next chapter, he carries the lessons and experiences gained at the Y with him, knowing his journey of growth and discovery is just beginning.
Saturday September 19 | 11 - 4 PM
The Grow Mobile Returns!
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From The WFYMCA Fitness Team
Dan Hunt doesn’t enjoy being the center of attention, but he is a central part of our WFYMCA cycling community. His steady enthusiasm, expertise in spin bike maintenance, and technological know-how support our growing program - including the willingness to set us up with virtual spin class opportunities. Dan attends three to four spin classes a week to stay active and maintain his strength. “I think if you’re looking for a way to exercise, and running and lifting isn’t your thing, spin class is a great alternative,” he says. A former runner, Dan turned to indoor cycling when knee problems began to interfere with his usual fitness routine. His experience may sound familiar to many of us: “My knees were shot, and so indoor cycling is just a great alternative.” For Dan, the benefits include an enjoyable aerobic workout, increased leg strength, and a reduced resting heart rate. He also notices a difference in everyday movement: “You’re just much more stable when you’re walking around.” Equally valuable are the connections he has made with instructors and fellow participants. Hunt said, “I think Natalie is one of the best I’ve encountered ... and in her class is a great group of people. That’s why I keep coming back here.”
This month we are examining the common misconceptions surrounding hunger and the relationship between fitness and calorie expenditure. Myth: “Feeling hungry always means your body needs more calories.” Truth: Hunger is an important signal, but it isn’t a precise fuel-need gauge. Our desire to eat also responds to feelings, fatigue, and the aroma of delicious food. During your Thanksgiving feast, pay attention to your body's hunger signals! A good stopping place is often when you feel comfortable and not stuffed like a turkey. Myth: “Sweating more means you are burning more calories.” Truth: Sweat is your body’s cooling system. As it evaporates, it carries heat away from your skin. A challenging workout may increase both sweating and calorie use, but sweating alone doesn’t reveal how much energy you’ve burned. Temperature, humidity, clothing, and individual differences all affect perspiration. You can burn substantial calories without getting drenched! Myth: "One calorie-laden meal ruins your fitness progress." Truth: Your usual habits over time matter much more than one holiday meal. A feast may cause the scale to temporarily rise, mainly from extra water retention and food still being digested. Enjoy the occasion, then return to your regular routine the next day. Remember with the holiday season fast approaching there’s no need to punish yourself with fasting or extra exercise. Consistency—not perfection—is what supports lasting progress.
CORNER OF YOUR Y: The Benefits of Cycling
JOIN NATALIE FOR SPIN CLASS!
6:15 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays
MYTHS VS. TRUTHS: About Calories
Principle
Putting it into practice
Developmental Readiness
Match activities to a child's physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Fundamental Movement Skills
Build a foundation of running, jumping, balancing, throwing and catching BEFORE emphasizing complex sport skills.
Individualization
Adjust instruction and challenges for differences in ability, experience and confidence
Progression
Begin with manageable tasks and gradually increase difficulty as skill and readiness improve.
Age-appropriate Instruction
Use clear demonstrations, simple cues and activity lengths suited to the age of the group
Positive Reinforcement
Recognize effort, improvement and persistence. Gice specific, encouraging corrections.
Enjoyment and Participation
Keep children actively involved and make movement rewarding so they want to return.
Safety and Supervision
Provide suitable equipment, space, instruction and recovery while teaching sound technique.
Lifelong Physical Activity
Develop the competence and confidence that help children continue being active beyond a particular program.
Coordination and Body Control
Help children learn how to control their bodies and handle objects through varied movement experiences.
The most meaningful lessons of youth training often happen when children are having fun. Through play, they build coordination, develop new skills, gain confidence and discover the joy of movement. When exercise feels less like a chore and more like an opportunity to explore, try something new and enjoy being active, children are more likely to carry that enthusiasm with them. And what better time to put those principles into practice than Thanksgiving? Make movement a new family tradition during the holidays. Challenge aunts, uncles or even grandparents to get in on the action. Before sitting down to the holiday feast, kids can get moving, have some fun and work up an appetite with this activity inspired by play and informed by youth training principles.
Games Introduce Fundamental Youth Training Principles
TRAINER TIPS: Learning Through Play
Cool down with these stretches. Hold each between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
For Chris Lancaster, youth basketball is about much more than learning to dribble, pass or shoot. It is about helping children discover what they can do, develop confidence in themselves and learn the value of being part of a team. Lancaster has been involved with the Waynesboro Family YMCA's basketball programs for 16 years, first as an assistant coach and, for nearly two years, as the person leading the program. His experience as a basketball player informs his approach, but it is his patience and understanding of children that shape the program. With the youngest participants, the goal is simple: learn the fundamentals. In Little Dribblers, children begin developing hand-eye coordination and learning to control the basketball through basic dribbling and passing. Lancaster understands that little ones have limited attention spans, so he keeps activities short and allows time for them to explore and enjoy the game. As children grow and progress into the youth basketball league, the focus expands beyond individual skills. Lancaster encourages coaches to make sure every child gets involved. When a player doesn't have opportunities to participate, he explains, that child can lose confidence. As he puts it, "Kids lose their confidence if they don't touch the ball." He also emphasizes the importance of having a leader on the court. A coach can offer guidance from the sidelines, but players must learn to communicate, support one another and take responsibility as a team. For Lancaster, developing those qualities takes patience. Rather than telling a child what he or she is doing wrong, he demonstrates another way to approach the skill. "It's all in how you talk to the kid, too," he said. "I'm not gonna yell at you. Or say this, you're doing this wrong, and you can do it this way. Show them a different way." That approach has helped Lancaster build relationships that extend well beyond the basketball season. Children who once participated in the YMCA's youngest basketball offerings continue to seek Lancaster's advice as middle school and high school players. Even young people who have moved on to college return and maintain those connections. "He's amazing with kids," Director of Membership and Community Engagement Dawn O’neil said. "You can't develop a program without having a relationship with the kids that come here." That may be Lancaster's greatest contribution. By creating an environment where children are encouraged to try, improve and participate, he helps them develop skills that reach far beyond the basketball court. The lessons are about movement, certainly, but also confidence, teamwork and the knowledge that someone is there to help them along the way. Youth sports offer children much more than an opportunity to learn a game. They provide a foundation for developing physical skills, coordination, confidence and teamwork. Effective youth training recognizes that every child develops at a different pace and creates opportunities for children to learn, improve and enjoy being active. These principles help guide a positive experience that builds skills on the court and confidence that lasts well beyond it.
Get the whole family moving with this Thanksgiving Kidfit Circuit
Warm up for 5 minutes with a game of Follow the Leader around the house followed by jumping jacks and toe touches. Perform each of the following exercises for 30 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of rest. Perform 2 - 3 rounds.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Pickleball Means More
Lynn Toth’s T-shirt says it all; Peace, Love and Pickleball. Toth has never been one to back down from a challenge. Whether on the basketball court, volleyball court or pickleball court, she enjoys the competition-and she likes to win. That spirit has been on display for years at the Waynesboro Family YMCA, where Toth has found not only a place to play, but a community of friends who have become like family. Her connection to the Y began decades ago, when her three children participated in its sports programs. Later, she joined exercise classes, made friendships that extended beyond the gym and eventually found her way to the pickleball courts. What began as a transition from wallyball has grown into a passion that has lasted roughly 13 years. “I really like to play a game,” Toth said. “I don't like to just walk or go lift weights. I mean, and I know that everybody keeps saying, ‘You need to lift weights,’ ... and I go out there, and I try, and I'm like, this is so boring. I'd rather play a game.” Certified Pickleball Instructor Randy Simmons has played alongside Toth for about five years. He describes her as a fierce competitor who plays hard, but also welcomes newcomers and helps them learn the game. “She was probably one of the best to play with as a partner, because she tried hard, but she was very gracious, too,” Simmons said. “She would help get them started.” That determination has been especially evident over the past year, as Toth has faced cancer treatment and prepared for another surgery. Even when treatment made it difficult to play as much as she once did, she continued coming to the Y. Some days, that meant playing a game, resting and returning to the court when she could. “She never asked anybody to feel sorry for her or give her any special treatment,” Simmons said. But the competitive spirit that makes Toth such a memorable pickleball partner is only one part of the story. The friendships formed on the courts have created a network of support that reaches well beyond the game. Recently, members of the pickleball community organized a surprise gathering for Toth. When she arrived, she was led into a darkened room. The lights came on to reveal friends lined up with a message: “We've got your back, Lynn.” There was food, a large card signed by members and even a court dedicated to her for the day. She could choose whom she wanted to play with and when. “I was shocked, but I just thought, gosh, and I felt that love in the room,” Toth said. “I would never expect that.” The show of support extended to her husband, Frank, as well. Members offered help with transportation, meals and checking on their home while the couple prepares for the next stage of her care. “It wasn't one person,” Simmons said. “It was a group effort. We just wanted to show her that we got her, and she's got a family.” For Toth, that sense of family is what makes the Y special. She and her husband are not originally from the area, and many of the friendships she has built over the years began through activities at the Y. She has watched small groups form around shared interests and seen those relationships carry people through injuries, illnesses and other difficult seasons. Waynesboro Family YMCA Executive Director Anne Hudlow sees that spirit as central to the organization's purpose. “Lynn and her husband, Frank, have been valued members of the Waynesboro YMCA family for many years,” Hudlow said. “She embodies what the YMCA is all about: community, friendship, connection, and a sense of belonging.” Toth is preparing for surgery and the recovery that will follow, but she knows she will not be facing it alone. Her pickleball friends are already finding ways to stay connected and remind her that she has a place waiting for her when she is ready to return. The game may bring people together on the court, but it is the relationships built there that make the Y feel like home. And for Lynn Toth, that is a team worth having in her corner.
Pickleball Community Rallies to Support Each Other During Challenging Times
Randy Simmons has a sense of humor. The day the group decided to suprise Lynn he came up with a fantastic ruse. She arrived thinking it was a typical day of pick-up pickleball, however, the lights were off in the upper gym. Simmons made up an excuse about work being done on the power so Lynn was totally shocked when the lights were thrown on and a chorus of voices told her, "We got your back!"