Whether you’ve met her or not, Glenda VanSant is the kind of person who makes an impression - through her energy, her outlook on life, and the way she fully embraces staying active as long as she can. We are so excited to highlight her as our March Athlete of the Month!

Glenda is a retired elementary teacher and mentor who has fully embraced this season of life. With three grown children, seven grandkids, three bonus grandkids, and five great-grandkids under five, she says her life is “rounded out with craziness,” and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

What started as a way to fill her days in retirement turned into something much bigger for her. 

“I’ve been playing pickleball for the last 6 years. Originally, it was a way to have something to do after finding myself home all day. I’ve never been an athlete, but I discovered that I loved this game and all the connections it brought me. Now I play most days and I’m actually getting better.”

That sense of growth and joy is exactly what makes Glenda so fun to work with. She didn’t come from an athletic background, but she leaned in anyway. And now, pickleball isn’t just something she does; it’s something that gets her excited to start her day.

“I know it’s good for me and I want to live well in the last third of my life. As an adult, I’ve always done some kind of organized exercise, but I haven’t always enjoyed it. It was just another task to mark off my list every day. But now, pickleball gets me out of bed in the mornings, eager to hit the courts.”

She’s also navigating osteoporosis and has taken ownership of what that means for her body.

“I’m determined to stay on top of [my osteoporosis] with exercise. Dr. Clayton has convinced me that hopping, jumping, and stomping will help. Don’t tell my mother that I stomp! That was strictly forbidden when I was a kid!”

When it comes to progress, Glenda has a perspective we wish more people embraced: celebrating the small wins that add up over time.

“I think just the little things are big. Six years ago, I was pretty uncoordinated and couldn’t catch a ball, let alone hit it across the net. Now every time I pick up my paddle, I remember that struggle and am amazed at how far I’ve come.”

And that progress hasn’t just been about skill. It’s been about feeling better in her body.

After dealing with persistent back and hip pain for years, Glenda came to Natural Wellness Physiotherapy looking for help and guidance.

“I had been having intense and increasing back/hip pain for at least 3 years… I knew I had to find something different because I was in pain when walking and playing pickleball. I couldn’t lift bags of garden soil and even carrying my harvest was sometimes painful.”

“With lots of careful listening and encouragement from Dr. Clayton, a tailored physical therapy plan, dry needling, weight lifting (a new endeavor for me), and plenty of humor and patience, I’m so much better!”

Her story is a powerful reminder that pain doesn’t have to be your normal, and that the right plan can make a huge difference.

Glenda’s goals are just as inspiring as her journey so far.

“I want to continue to play pickleball for another 25 years! My mom is 94 and I hope to still be active at that age! That’s a pretty long-term goal, though. So showing up several times a week (or every day!) is my short-term goal.”

Outside of the clinic and the court, Glenda stays active in ways that reflect who she is at her core, whether that’s tending to her garden, spending time with family, or learning something new.

“I love digging in the dirt! You can take the girl off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the girl. During the growing season, I have lots of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to share. Hit me up!”

And if you really want to understand what drives Glenda, it comes down to how she chooses to show up in life.

“Look on the bright side! See the best in others! Spend time alone. Read a variety of things. Be curious. Gather some data about yourself, analyze it, and make it work for you. And don’t ever stop reaching for something!”

Glenda, we are so grateful to have you as part of our community. You are truly a joy to work with and an inspiration to everyone around you!