Our feature family for the June issue is the Schwartz family, led by Janet and John, who have inspired thousands and raised millions while honoring their son, Todd, over the last two decades.
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By: Tom Leyden
Photo By: Rick Bern Photography
It was the character Luna Lovegood who said in Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix, “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way you expect.”
Loss is jarring, ten times over when that loss is untimely. Nearly twenty years ago, on November 19, 2002, the Westwood community lost one of its finest young men when Todd Schwartz, the beloved son of John and Janet, and cherished brother of Laura and Amy, succumbed to rhabdomyosarcoma months into his sophomore year at UMass Amherst.
While we respectfully and solemnly acknowledge that chapter of the story, painful and personal to so many, we shift seamlessly to how Todd has indeed come back, ten times over in ways never expected by his family, friends and a community that reaches from Massachusetts to Florida and beyond.
“Team Todd” was born shortly after Todd’s diagnosis, with a goal of raising money for the fight against cancer. Todd's Mom, Janet, who taught kindergarten at Martha Jones Elementary for more than twenty years, was the first team member.
“It was a team of one,” said Janet when reflecting back to the first time she participated in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. “Todd didn’t want the fanfare, but he was there at all the checkpoints, cheering me on along the way.”
In the two decades since, that team of one has grown exponentially in size and impact, with Janet’s infectious passion driving the success of the mission.
“I work as a TV writer and a note I often get for scripts I write is that ‘the mom character doesn't seem believable,’” said Todd’s younger sister, Amy, Westwood High School Class of 2004. “I laugh every single time, before kindly explaining that this is the only way I know how to describe a mom, based on my own, and that she truly is that amazing in real life. As the leading lady in our family, she has been an example of strength, love, selflessness, optimism, humor, generosity and independence. She has taught us that the best thing she could ever give us is the confidence to tackle anything that comes our way. She's someone you can count on in any scenario and has always believed that we are capable of anything we put our minds to. She gave Todd that strength, which I believe helped him fight longer than expected.”
While Janet has taken center stage in the fight against cancer, inspiring many to join her cause, and her team, she certainly doesn’t work alone.
“My mom has done so much to support other mothers who have faced cancer in their families and my dad has supported her in doing so,” said Todd’s older sister, Laura, Westwood High School Class of 1998. “They are both my heroes for so many reasons.”
“My dad is such an incredibly gentle, listening ear, who is sensitive and kind, thoughtful and understanding, and also hilarious,” said Amy. “He's an amazing example of what a husband and father should be, and watching him be the most supportive partner to my mom throughout their experience of losing a child has changed my life forever. I remember hearing something about how a lot of married couples don't make it through a loss like this, and the statistics aren't great, but the way my parents took this on together, as a team, has shaped me as an adult, as a wife, and as a friend. This experience could have broken us, but it made us stronger.”
During Todd’s fight with cancer, the Red Sox and The Jimmy Fund were petitioning state officials to have a special license plate created to benefit the Red Sox Foundation and The Jimmy Fund. Todd was asked to be the patient spokesperson as the team made its pitch at the State House. He couldn’t believe he was sharing the stage with Red Sox Hall of Famer Johnny Pesky.
“He got to try on one of Johnny’s massive rings,” said Laura. “Todd was such a devoted Red Sox fan he would schedule his treatments around the Sox home calendar. He figured he was already in Boston for treatment, so he might as well get to a game if he was feeling well enough to attend.”
“There was another group petitioning the Commonwealth that day, Hell’s Angels,” said Janet. “When Todd finished speaking, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. They gave him a standing ovation! He got to choose his own license plate and he chose “RS 54,” which combined his love for the Sox and Tedy Bruschi.”
“Every time I see one of those license plates on the road, I smile and think about that day and how courageous Todd was to stand up in front of so many people and share his story,” said Laura.
When Todd passed, shortly before Thanksgiving in 2002, the news was absorbed by the Westwood community with great sorrow and while some struggled, not knowing how best to show their support for the Schwartz family, others stepped up immediately, in powerful ways.
The most impactful was the introduction of the TJS Softball Classic, a mainstay in Westwood for more than a decade, beginning in 2003. Hundreds of people filled the fields at Westwood High School and the Senior Center, playing softball all day, eating food, laughing and remembering their friend while raising money in his honor. Close to $500,000 was raised for The Jimmy Fund through the TJS Softball Classic.
“The kids from Todd’s camp, Camp Tel Noar, were the ones who started the softball tournament,” said Janet. “They decided that something had to be done as a memorial and become a part of his legacy. Playing softball was something that Todd loved to do.”
“We thought they were crazy. Really? Who’s going to come do this? Next thing we knew they had raised $20,000 in a day and we were stunned. From there, it took off!”
The Schwartz’s reserved a portion of the money from the first TJS Softball Classic to fund an annual scholarship at Westwood High School. The remainder was sent to The Jimmy Fund. The family trusted that Lisa Scherber, the Director of Patient and Family Programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, would put it to good use. Todd and Lisa had spent time together and it was Todd who convinced Lisa that teens fighting cancer had to be treated differently than younger kids. He suggested a trip to Red Sox Spring Training would be a great perk for teens being treated at Dana-Farber.
Using those TJS Softball funds, Scherber orchestrated the inaugural Red Sox Spring Training trip. Many of Todd’s closest friends served as chaperones to the younger patients. Together, they interacted with many Red Sox players who would later go on to win the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1918.
The program has grown exponentially over the years and thrives to this day. Each spring, approximately 30 Dana-Farber patients, with their nurses and doctors, fly to Florida for an incredible few days at Fenway South.
Meanwhile, Team Todd continues to participate in The Jimmy Fund Walk, and they'll be back on the Marathon trail this fall, trekking from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. Since 2002, Team Todd has raised more than $1.5 million. At one point, Todd’s grandfather was among the oldest participants, and now Todd’s nieces and nephews carry on the legacy.
“My kids hear stories about Todd all the time,” said Laura. “It’s important to me that they know as much about him as possible. We’ve made sure that they always feel comfortable talking about him and asking us questions. As they get older, those questions change and it’s important to me that the door is always open for them to share whatever is on their minds.
“They are all registered walkers in The Jimmy Fund Walk and they take an immense amount of pride in fundraising for Team Todd. They know Todd’s oncologist and they know that we walk to raise money for his laboratory where incredible research is conducted every day."
Amy’s thoughts on her family’s commitment reflect the attitude shared by her sister and parents.
“We saw no other path but to take on Todd's attitude and continue his efforts to change the ending to this story for everyone,” said Amy. “It's not about us. It's about other families just like us who need support. It's about the families who don't have a cancer diagnosis and we hope with our fundraising efforts that they never will. It's about showing other families that you can turn dark times into a bright, shining light. It's about honoring my brother and the unbelievable mark he left on this world in such a short amount of time.
“Each year, we are continually amazed by how much money pours in to support research at the lab run by my brother's brilliant doctor, Dr. Loren Walensky, who quickly went from doctor to honorary Schwartz over the years. These donations aren't coming from large corporate donors. They are coming from people in our Westwood community, our summer camp community, our friends and family near and far. Each donation, big or small, makes a huge difference. Maybe we'd rather be known for just about anything else, but the reality is, this happened to us. We suffered an unimaginable loss that will affect us forever, but it's what we do with that loss that might be able to help other people and that is so important. If what we do helps other families who are grieving or battling, and gives them some hope while getting us one step closer to a cure, we will never stop this fight. We do it all for Todd."
“My sister and I have been part of several different communities as our lives have changed in that span of time,” said Laura. “We’ve always felt most comfortable sharing our family’s story wherever we go because Todd is an important part of us and always will be. As our lives change, we make the active choice to tell new friends, neighbors, teachers, and co-workers about our incredible brother. We know that community helps us heal and that sharing our experience of losing a sibling, especially someone as dynamic and vibrant as Todd, may help others heal too. It’s what Todd would want. To us, community is about feeling supported in moments of celebration and in moments of grief.”
Todd continues to find a way to come back, if not always in the way we expect.
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Westwood's high school students were celebrated red carpet-style before the prom on May 6.
By Deborah A. Bondzie, Esquire
Congratulations! You worked diligently with your real estate agent to list your home and you have accepted an offer, at or even above asking! Now, it is time to circulate the draft purchase and sale agreement. Your agent asks, “Who is your real estate attorney?”
Your response: “Why do I need an attorney?”
Or you have been looking for your forever home for months or maybe over a year. Boy, it’s been a journey! Finally, your offer has been accepted, inspections are complete and you are ready to sign the purchase and sale agreement the seller’s attorney sent—right?
An attorney, who specializes in real estate transactions, is essential to complete your real estate team. The role of a real estate attorney is to Represent, Engage, Protect and Prepare or REPP our clients!
Representing our seller client may entail reviewing the offer, drafting the purchase and sale agreement, negotiating various terms of the agreement, preparing the deed and power of attorney documents, attending the closing, reviewing the closing disclosure to make sure the numbers are correct; and signing the closing documents on the seller’s behalf.
On the buyer’s side, the attorney would perform similar functions as that of a seller’s attorney but may also represent the lender. The buyer/lender’s real estate attorney would perform due diligence such as the title exam, order the municipal lien certificate and a plot plan survey of the property.
A real estate attorney is engaged throughout the entire real estate process. We are familiar with all parties involved and the history of the transaction. We ensure that everyone is on the same page to get to the closing table.
The important role as a seller’s real estate attorney is to make sure that the buyer’s lender is on track to close on the agreed upon closing date. If not, then we investigate the status of the buyer’s financing, if applicable, and advise the sellers whether extensions are needed or worst, if the deal needs to terminate in order to immediately put the property back on the market.
On the buyer’s side, we want to make sure that the title is clear and the deposits are protected. The real estate attorney would review the title exam, notify the seller’s attorney to address any existing liens, encroachments or encumbrances as revealed by the mortgage survey.
Finally, we prepare our clients for CLOSING DAY!! After 45-60 days, we finally made it to the closing table.
For our seller clients, once a limited power of attorney is signed, real estate attorneys can sign the closing documents on behalf of the sellers who may have already made it half-way to Florida! For our buyer clients, we remind our clients to bring any closing costs, identifications and any other outstanding items to the closing.
It's usually a day of rejoicing for all! Having a professional and specialized real estate attorney on your team will give you peace of mind. It is well worth the investment.
By Ariel Dangelo
Commonwealth Financial Group
It was November of 2020 and I was looking up at the sky, asking myself if I had any regrets in life. After taking a few minutes to go through a chronological sweep of memories, I thankfully didn’t come up with any. At this point, I had been lying on the ground for at least an hour and I was taking a break from screaming for help.
I was thrown from a horse and had landed in an unfortunate manner, leaving me unable to move my legs or hands. Thankfully my dogs, Emmett and Benson, were with me that day so I wasn’t alone while I was waiting for help.
About an hour later, I heard the crunch of brush underfoot and yelled out one final time as my rescue team arrived. I was life-flighted to Boston and soon was lying motionless in the emergency room awaiting my prognosis. The hospital’s COVID-19 protocols restricted me from seeing my husband, other than a quick “I love you” on the phone before I was carted away. The amazing team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital successfully completed a spinal fusion and relieved the pressure on my spinal cord.
After spending a week in the ICU, I was sent to Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown to learn how to relive my life. At this stage I was completely dependent on others. I couldn’t walk, get dressed, feed myself, or hold a phone. I worked very hard while at Spaulding Rehab thanks to an AMAZING team of nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, aides, and doctors (shout out to Hannah & Kelly).
I continued my recovery at Brigham’s Outpatient Program in Foxborough (shout out to Joe & Jen) and then progressed to personal training, then CrossFit Walpole and yes, horseback riding again.
To say it was a difficult road to recovery is an understatement and there were plenty of days where I struggled. One thing that made this difficult time much easier was that I had planning in place for my family in the event that something like this were to happen.
I had letters written to the most important people in my life if I died without being able to say goodbye. I had my estate planning complete and insurance policies in place to benefit my family. And while I was rehabbing and wanting to try everything I could to help me heal faster, I had the cash reserves in my financial plan to get me the resources needed without the burden of dipping into any other funds. What could have made an already stressful situation exponentially more challenging was alleviated by planning.
You never know when life is going to throw a wicked curve ball and smash your life plan to pieces, but we can put a few safety nets in place to catch us when we fall. As a financial advisor and planner, something I hear too often when I sit down with a new client is, “Oh! We’ve been meaning to do that."
Financial planning might not be at the top of your ‘Most Fun Things to Do’ list, but the impact this process has on your finances, family and future are immeasurable. As my father always said, “Hear me now, believe me later”.
Ariel Dangelo is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC (www.sipc.org). Supervisory Address: 101 Federal Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02110, 617-439-4389 - CRN202505-2334691
By Abby Stern
Disclaimer: I am a camper through and through. I would return in a minute, which is one of the reasons I loved living vicariously through my youngest son’s eyes when he spent seven weeks away at overnight camp. That said; I realize overnight camp is not for every child. As much as it was and is a part of my life, I realized that my older son wanted no part of it.
You know what? That was okay.
I had many conversations with people about the decision to send my son, who was nine-years-old at the time, to overnight camp. Not just any overnight camp. MY overnight camp. I’ll admit, when we discussed the possibility of camp, we toured one and only one camp.
Was I biased? Of course I was.
Did I know my kid? Yes.
I knew if he was going to go anywhere, this would be the place.
After 3 ½ weeks of his first camp experience passed, he called home asking to stay the full seven-week session. Two things happened: I squealed with delight and, while cringing at the thought of what another session would cost us, I did the happy dance. My kid loved camp! My happy place was now his happy place.
"But seven weeks? That is SUCH A LONG TIME. Don’t you miss him? I could never do that. My kid would never do that."
I get some backwards glances ("you must really want to get rid of your kid") and some jealous responses ("I wish my child would do that").
Truth: Of course I miss my kid. And I don’t.
Let me explain:
On day one, my son entered a bunk with seven complete strangers and two counselors. He was instantly welcomed and asked to trade gum. That was that. He quickly shoved me out the door allowing a brief moment to hug him goodbye (as long as no one was looking). I cried in the car praying he was going to love it.
He acted in two plays. He played gaga ball and perfected the crawl stroke. He had to maintain the bunk, so therefore learned to clean toilets and sinks. He stayed up late and ran around shooting water guns and throwing water balloons. He went on trip days and trip nights. He got dirty and his shoes were full of sand. He forgot to change his pillowcase for four weeks straight and he rarely applied suntan lotion. He didn't starve if he didn't like the meal and he survived if he only ate bread and butter and a popsicle for lunch. He may have forgotten to brush his teeth, his hair, wash behind his ears or under his arms, match his clothes, change his shorts the next day, wash his bathing suit, or use a wash cloth.
He was okay. He survived.
I didn’t get to kiss him goodnight each night or know that he was happy every second, but I trusted my gut. I didn't know his every move and that was hard, but only at first, because the first letter of his first season said in big giant letters, “CAMP IS AWESOME.”
And do you know why it was awesome? Because at nine-years-old, he was independent. He got to be "free.” Free from the rules of school and a nagging mother asking him to brush his hair. It was okay to go out in clothes that didn't match or dirty elbows because it was camp. And he got to walk around camp and go from activity to activity with his friends. No parents. He got to make friends with kids who also felt this freedom and maturity. He breathed, ate and slept with these kids. He HAD to be himself because it was too long a time not to let your guard down.
Season Two came and he was already a veteran. It was okay to bring an extra stuffed animal that year because he didn't care if the other boys saw it. It was a must to pack extra gum because, after all, that's what you did in the early mornings when you woke up before the counselors; you traded gum. It was okay to hug your friend or dance and sing because, well, everyone else was and you were accepted if you did.
So is overnight camp for everyone? Of course not. Not everyone wants to be away from home, sleep away from home, spend all that time feeling the need to run around and do different activities. Some need some down time and some don't want to be that far away. And that is okay.
All I'm saying is I didn’t "send" my child off to summer camp. My child BEGGED me to go to summer camp.
Overnight camp was his second home. It was HIS place, the place where he got to shine and got to be himself and got to be a part of a very special community.
I met my best friend at the age of nine at the very same summer camp. We are now 50+ and still best friends. Summer camp isn't just for the young or for a chapter or two in your life. It stays with you forever.
He went for seven summers and is now doing other things. It was a great way for him to learn to be without his parents and a great introduction to what life would be like in college.
He did learn to make his own bed. And no, he still doesn't do that at home.
By Jay Resha
WESTWOOD – Wow, we are coming to the end of Season Ten!
Yes, I know this is only the second issue of this publication – I’ll explain about Season Ten later. Before that, however, it is fitting and appropriate that we begin by honoring legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, recognizing the anniversary of his death in June of 2010, at the age of 99. Wooden, known as “The Wizard of Westwood,” holds the record for the most championships in NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball history, with ten – twice as many as the next coach on the list, the recently retired Mike Krzyzewski of Duke.
Wooden was born in 1910 in the small town of Hall, Indiana, to parents who certainly would have never…what? What’s that you say? Oh, oh, I got it! UCLA is in Westwood, California! Wrong Westwood!
I am joking, of course. Hey, do you know when the host of a show comes out and tells some extremely corny jokes and the audience feels compelled to laugh along in that forced, stilted guffaw? Well…I sure don’t!
*Tap Tap* Hello? Is this thing on?
Anyway…welcome to another month of Westwood Living, and welcome to June. Oh June, how I love thee! The sun is high and everything is green, the final furlong in spring’s sprint. Recitals, graduation gowns, vacation plans. There is something about this time of year that brings me back in time, and makes me want to go to parties and play music on cassette or CD, instead of Spotify. But don’t worry, I probably won’t show up anywhere carrying an old boom box. Probably.
It is quite true, though, that memories of my school-age years crowd out other things I should remember – things like our new exit number off Route 128…the location of my laptop…every password I have ever used online or offline…stuff like that.
As you may know, I grew up here and I do believe that seeing it all again, through my kids’ eyes, only adds to the nostalgia. I remember that glorious feeling June delivered each year - waking up one morning and realizing that there would be no more teachers, no more books, FOREVER!
Of course it’s not forever. It’s only 75 days or so. But it sure as hell feels like forever when you’re a kid at the end of June, right?
So, another year comes to an end in the 0-2-0-9-0. In TV terms, another season has wrapped. For me and The Gem, this was Season Ten of a show that is scripted for sixteen. We’ll have a Westwood High sophomore and a TMS seventh-grader come September. As the expression goes, the days are long but the years are short. Some of my best friends will be at graduation ceremonies this month, watching their seniors complete their final childhood season. Those graduates are siblings of my kids’ friends, and we once referred to them as the “older kids” – you know, because they were already in SECOND GRADE!
June finds me awash in old memories, while at once making new ones. The sun is high now, but soon it will descend. Soon, we’ll pick apples again. Then, kids from one to 92 will roast chestnuts again. Then, we’ll fill out basketball brackets and root for UCL…um, I mean we’ll root for our favorite teams. And then soon enough, we’ll be right back here at the end of Season Eleven.
Westwood Living? No…thank YOU for living in Westwood. See you next month, and I look forward to hearing from you any time at jayresha@comcast.net.
By Tom Leyden
WESTWOOD - Brian Clinton will always have the distinction of being Westwood Living's first sponsor. In late February, when my vision for this publication was just starting, Brian and I sat in a conference room at Donahue Real Estate and discussed how he could be a part of the conversation. When we parted ways, Brian had made the commitment to support this project and seize the opportunity to interact with Westwood residents through these pages.
Why? A few reasons:
When Brian is not busy coaching his kids and their teammates, he's working the phones, keeping a close eye on the housing market and taking care of his clients.
"I've been a full-time Realtor since January 3, 2012," said Brian. "Always at Donahue Real Estate.I liked the fit. Donahue is kind of a 'niche' company, I don't really need the 'major brand' because of the way I do my work. I work on referral and typically market myself in life - relationships, trust - and that's the sense I got with Donahue.
"They embraced me right away. They encouraged me. They gave me a mentor, Denise Connell, who I consider a great friend now. I felt like a baby bird who got its wings and then we were off and running. They've been great to me." Becoming a Realtor was a family decision. For Brian and his wife, Jess, the flexibility of a Realtor's schedule was appealing.
"When we were starting to have kids, we definitely needed somebody who had more flexibility, so that played into it," said Brian. "I also thought it dovetailed with my experience prior to getting into real estate. I worked in public service for the city of Boston for 18 years. I did a lot of zoning and licensing work so I learned a lot about real estate."
Brian grew up in Hyde Park and considers that his home turf when it comes to real estate, but he's seen a natural progression to the suburbs.
"The lion's share of my business is the southwest corridor of Boston - Hyde Park, Roslindale, West Roxbury. However, being where I am in life, most of my peers and my siblings' peers are on the move. I tend to bring some of my siblings' peers and my referral business to communities outside of the city - Walpole, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, of course. I tend to sell homes in Boston as a result of that."
One friend, Eric Schmidt, took advantage of Brian's expertise when his family moved from a condo in South Boston to a home in Westwood.
"I've known Brian Clinton since I was a child," said Schmidt. "He's a special person - trustworthy and loyal. He guided our family as we looked for a home while we were under pressure to find a place with more room - we were pregnant with twins. Brian always had our best interests at heart. We love him!"
Spend a few minutes with Brian, absorb his native accent and you'll immediately get the sense he's a "neighborhood guy." His neighborhood may have changed, but the way he views that dynamic really hasn't.
"I like a lot of things about living here. We moved here for schools but we also moved here for commuting purposes, pre-pandemic, back in 2016," said Brian. "I like the small-town feel. The open space is nice. It's very different for me, but where I live in Westwood reminds me very much of where I grew up because I live in the maze. It reminds me of a neighborhood you'd find in any city, not just Boston."
It was through Westwood Youth Softball that I first met Brian. His oldest daughter, Eve, has played on my teams and his younger daughter, Olivia, is an energetic and talented spark plug on the diamond. Brian is also an assistant coach for his son Ryan's basketball team.
"I coach because I'm from six kids and I always said to myself if I ever had the opportunity I'd love to give back," said Brian. "I played sports most of my life. I know not everybody can coach. It's not natural for everybody. I just enjoy it. It keeps me busy. It involves my kids in team sports which provides good life lessons."
When you meet the Clinton family, you get the true sense they've learned great lessons about loyalty, passion and friendship - perfect characteristics for a Realtor you can trust to guide you through a complicated process.
Brian Clinton can be reached at 617-828-3035 or brian@donahuere.com
By Tom Leyden
WESTWOOD - As the Islington area of Westwood is growing and evolving, new businesses continue to pop up. None have made as energetic an entrance into our community as Orangetheory Fitness, located at 268 Washington Street. Owned by Tara Berry, OTF is continuing to draw new clientele to a shiny new facility where people of all ages and abilities can take advantage of cutting edge equipment and technology in a supportive environment.
"I really believe in this workout and what it does for people and how it really changes lives," said Berry. "I spent 20+ years in corporate America, in marketing, and just really couldn't find anything that was a good fit. I didn't feel passionate about what I did."
Berry, who lives in Franklin, began her Orangetheory journey when she took a class herself. Immediately, she knew owning a studio was something she would want to pursue, and after some thorough research and investment, she opened an OTF in Medway.
"When I opened that studio, within that first year of working there I had people coming to me all the time saying things like, 'You have changed my life. You've saved my life. I've dropped three pant sizes. I'm no longer on my medications. I sleep better. My face is thinner,'" said Berry. "People notice a difference and to me that was so impactful. It was amazing to actually make a difference in people's lives, which I hadn't been able to find for decades of working in corporate America. This brand is something special and it's not just a workout. There's all these non-scale victories. It's not just about the scale. It's about making yourself better, making yourself more healthy."
When you take your first class, be ready to learn about "Splat Points" and intervals as you watch your heart rate monitor numbers fluctuate on the big screens positioned around the studio. Be ready to burn a lot of calories and be sucked into the world of challenging yourself to get in that "Orange Zone" as frequently as possible. During a typical workout, you'll spend time on the treadmill, the rower and also on the floor, combining cardio and endurance exercises with strength training as one of OTF's motivational instructors guides you through with great energy.
"I love seeing changes in people from the inside out," said Jill, a coach at Orangetheory. "To see someone walk a little taller, smile a little brighter and feel a whole lot better is what inspires me every time I walk in the door to coach a class. I love being a part of peoples fitness journeys."
"I love coaching at OTF because it allows all fitness levels and age levels to reach their full potential," said Brady, who also coaches in Islington. "Whether it be from hitting personal records or seeing the results that they're looking for It's the best and most rewarding part about coaching."
When she got a license to open her second OTF, Tara zeroed in on Westwood as the perfect place to set up shop.
"I liked how it's a little closer to Boston," said Berry. "It's more densely populated, so I knew from a business perspective that was good because we'd have the opportunity to get more members, but at the same time it still had that small-town feel. When you look around here in Islington it's kind of quaint. It feels like it has a good community and at Orangetheory that's what we are. We're a lot about building a community. Making this more than just a gym, but somewhere you can go, you can talk to people and make connections."
The gym opened in the fall of '21 and continues to welcome new clients every day. There's great promise for success based on what has transpired in just eight months.
"We're starting to mirror what we have in Medway. The Medway studio has been around for 4 1/2 years and the community there is fantastic," said Berry. "That's what we've wanted to replicate here and you definitely feel that. The people we have working at the front desk and the coaches know most of the members by name. They greet them. They joke around with them. Members introduce themselves to each other in the lobby. People congratulate each other when they get a personal record, so it's happening. It's great. It's really exciting to see."
OTF has gotten a head-start on many of the businesses we'll see open their doors in the coming months.
"It's going to be great to have all of these other new businesses opening up around us," said Berry. "I love the idea of having Neroli (an Italian Market and Restaurant) next door. It's a business we can partner with. Same with The Muffin House. We'll see a lot more foot traffic because of it. We can't wait."
And you shouldn't wait to sign up for a class at Orangetheory Fitness. It doesn't matter how old you are or how athletic you might be. Tara and the staff will take care of you.
Orangetheory Fitness is open seven days a week and located at 268 Washington Street, Westwood
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