[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to Shining Through Inspiring Forces of Autism with show host Jennifer Dantzler. My name is Sarah and I have autism. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the world of autism. If you enjoy what you hear today, don't forget to follow this podcast.
[00:00:19] Speaker B: Hey, everyone, this is Jennifer Dantzler, and I'm the executive director and founder of inspirend, a nonprofit whose mission is to create truly inclusive communities through education and engagement. The goal of this podcast is to shine a light on real people and their stories in hopes of inspiring others who are on this journey of autism. Either themselves, their child, their loved one, their co worker. I truly believe ignorance is not bliss, and we cannot be inclusive communities if we do not understand the people in the community. With autism now affecting 1 in 31 people, we need to get louder about this topic. We recognize that autism is a spectrum. There are a lot of people with a lot of different needs, a lot of resources available or none available. And we know that in every episode we can't meet everyone's needs for their specific interest.
However, we hope that in each episode you do gleam some kind of insight as to how you can help your child or yourself be a better advocate. And as we go through our podcast, our goal really is to address the entire spectrum, the various needs, the various environments that we're going to be in. And we hope that there's something in every episode for each one of you. So let's get started.
[00:01:26] Speaker C: Today I am here with a new friend, John Watson, and he is the founder and CEO and owner of an organization and nonprofit called Bloom Fitness. So thank you so much for being here, John.
[00:01:37] Speaker D: Glad to be here. Thank you.
[00:01:38] Speaker C: We also have other guests with us today. His daughter, Emma, who I know he's going to talk about, and her four legged furry friend, Oreo. So we're very happy that they're in the studio as well. So let's get started.
[00:01:49] Speaker B: John, why don't you tell me a
[00:01:50] Speaker C: little bit about Bloom Fitness and its services?
[00:01:52] Speaker D: I was actually in the mortgage industry for 32 years, and I retired from that about 12 years ago. And two reasons, primarily one, Emma was getting out of the school system. And as all parents know, when that happens, things get a lot more complicated. My wife had big jobs, so some had to give, and so I retired. I didn't know what to do, but I knew that, you know what happens with a lot of adults, and now they're adults. Right. The services just drop off a cliff.
[00:02:19] Speaker B: They do.
[00:02:19] Speaker C: The cliff. Truly the cliff.
[00:02:21] Speaker D: Yeah. It's harder for the Individuals. But, you know, you learn that if it's hard for the individuals, it's hard for the family, really. Through a long process of just exploring, asking people that serve individuals living with an IDD diagnosis about what the needs were, we basically stumbled across fitness. We knew movement was important, There were limited options for them. So I was actually working with a large service provider here in the Houston area, came across a room with broken down fitness equipment. And I said, hey, what happens here? I got a lot of stories, but basically nothing happens here. And I said, hey, let's see if we buy some stationary bikes and let's see what happens. And that's all I planned.
In other words, I had no plan. The great thing about not having a plan is that you are kind of forced to become a listener. So who did I listen to the most? The people in our program, the individuals with idd, which is a little counterintuitive for some. I think that as parents and as people that serve this population, we have a tendency to tell them what's good for them. And while I know there's a place for that, if you listen, they'll tell you what's good. And what I learned very quickly that it wasn't about the exercise necessarily. It was really about being part of something, and that's what shaped the program. We partner with a lot of service providers that serve mostly adults where, like in Katy isd, we're in their transitional learning, but we partner with them to help them offer fitness for them. The approach is a little different, I guess. We don't go to the population and say, hey, you want to work out? That doesn't sell very well.
Not many of us really, 100%, we learned that if we can make an emotional connection with the individuals, and if we think about this in the very. With any person, Right. And you kind of just said it is that a great Pilates class doesn't necessarily shape behavior. Right. But if you can make an emotional connection with a person, it almost always does, right? Kind of an organic thing that said, lead with heart. It's a trademark thing. And it sounds, you know, it sounds a little cutesy at first, but maybe it is. But it really shapes everything we do. And so what that means really is that whatever we do to try to get them to choose to move, we want it to be their choice that they want to be there to connect with them through an emotional connection. I like having fun with my friends. That we have a goal system. Well, what can a goal system do? A goal system can create A sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment, and it goes on and on and on. We always say whatever we do to improve the program, and this is. We started about 10 years ago, is that that's the portal. And the lead part is just equally important. So it's like if I asked my daughter Emma, I said, hey, there's a program and there's a goal system. She would shrug her shoulders and go, why do I care about that?
[00:05:12] Speaker C: No, thank you. Right.
[00:05:13] Speaker D: The point is, it's on us to kind of show them what can be the benefits, have them experience it. So I think now based, we have no plans. I think we have about 50 locations in about six states. And wow, we're having fun.
[00:05:28] Speaker C: Wow. So an organization that has a facility maybe for people of idd, autism, any kind of special needs, can contract with you to come in and provide fitness. I'm gonna say systems. It's more than classes, right. Some of it is online, right. Where they get online and watch a big screen or TV or what have you. And then that's where the goal system comes in. More they participate, the more points they get.
[00:05:52] Speaker D: Yeah. They're providers of all different shapes. But think about this way. We provide them resources so they can have a successful program. Our retention rate with the population is over 90%. So we go in and say, hey, look, this is a structure, it's a program. And you kind of alluded to it. It's not just have going to class. It has to be a program because you want to be part of it. So we go, and somebody will want to do it. An organization, work it out. And they go, hey, what equipment do you. We need some yoga mats and some loose weights. Equipment doesn't do anything for you. But if you can create a program for them to be part of, then that gives them something to attach to. But they are true partnerships. And keeping this very basic concept is that, yeah, we come in and say, hey, this is proven to work. We're not saying we know everything. You know your people better than we ever would. And we have to fold into your organization in a way that work. Like, for example, the staff are already busy and so we need to provide tools for them to be successful. And when I say that, it really is one thing I don't really care about bloom. I care about it being successful for the individual. So how do we work together to make that, make that happen? There's a lot of videos. It's really one of a kind technology because it's built for them. Right. There's Just some nuances of it are built for them. It's also very careful to know that with an organization, we don't just say, hey, here's some great technology.
See you later. Right. We have a staff person that works with you. It's like, what's working? What's not working? Oh, this person never wanted to do it. You know, all these type of things. And so it is a true partnership. Kind of like, go back to that original story about when I went to this location and they said, well, the yoga teacher was there, then she moved and all this stuff. Right. What I learned very quickly is that if we just came in and did bloom and left, those programs are going to end. But if they're in the game with us successful, they almost never, ever end. And we've had very few partnerships that have ended over 10 years for that reason.
[00:07:55] Speaker C: That's wonderful. And that's actually. Yeah, funny you say. That's one of the leadership trainings I teach on is touch it to own it. You've got to have them touch it to own it. And it's exactly what you're doing. And it does sound very unique because like you said, if you have someone who's not engaged, you're able to pivot and adjust their program. And yes, that absolutely sounds incredibly unique. So who's your ideal customer or client? Like, what size organization?
Specific ages? Like, who's your ideal customer?
[00:08:21] Speaker D: We deal with people and partnerships and that are experts at serving this population. I'm just a parent. I respect that these organizations and these professionals that are serving them are going to know more about it than me. But to answer your question is, is that our experiences. Not saying I'm an expert, our experiences with adults, we are being asked to go down. Like, for example, I said, we're at the Katy ISD 10 5A high school. It's massive. Right. In their transitional learning. We're in our fourth year with them. I told them, I said, look, I think this will work. The concepts are basic, but I don't know. And it's been great. But historically, you know, with adults, and it's kind of like where the story started. I know that from an organizational standpoint, the truth is there is no size. We have organizations, like, a lot of people this may have heard Brookwood, it's a storied, you know, living community. We have 213 athletes.
[00:09:18] Speaker C: Wow.
[00:09:18] Speaker D: Right? There's a very small town in Texas. I think we have 13.
[00:09:22] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:09:23] Speaker D: I'm probably more proud of that one, because we also know that in these small markets, they get nothing. And so it's portable in that way because it's virtual.
[00:09:34] Speaker C: And so you're not having to send that person out there to your point, and then they. They quit or they turn over. They can't make it that day. And now the young adults are sitting there waiting for their yoga class, and it didn't happen, Right. This is. This is all virtual. So it's pretty guaranteed.
[00:09:46] Speaker D: Our videos are great. They're built for them. A lot of times you'll see our athletes, and again, that just as a definition perspective, is that we serve absolutely all ability levels. There is no ability level. And that's another thing that differentiates what we're doing. We have people that fully mobile all the way. That somebody may be limited to a wheelchair with very limited movement, that's an athlete in our program, if I've seen it once, I've seen it dozens of times, is I'll go in, I'll say, hey, what movement are you doing? And I'll go in. And they're playing a video like Richard Simmons, right. And it's great. Richard's awesome.
Yeah. But the thing about Richard is he moves so fast from move to move to move to move. They can no more keep up than, I can't keep up with Richard. But the other thing is that you'll see it, and the video's playing and they're kind of moving around to it, and the staff is sitting in the back watching. That doesn't work.
So we teach the staff how to lead class. Right? In other words, think about it this way. We go into a group fitness class. We're all a little bit nervous. We're playing around, we're looking at each other. It's like, oh, no, if I can keep up. And so the class. Class goes and stuff. If the leader of that class calls your name, it changes the whole gig.
[00:11:06] Speaker C: It does.
[00:11:06] Speaker D: It changes. It's like, oh, I'm seen. Right? That classic thing. And those are the type of practices we teach along with the technology, if that makes any sense.
[00:11:15] Speaker C: It does. I mean, you really are teaching them to fish, not feeding them a fish without. Not to sound cliche. Right. But which. Which is what I love. Why do you think fitness is so important for our guys with special needs?
[00:11:27] Speaker D: I think people are waking up to how large this population is. Right. There's a lot of opportunity if you're doing anything for anybody. Right. But let's. In the context of fitness, you want to do something and get a response. Right? You want to Think you're doing something good when you work with this population? When I was in the mortgage industry, I'd teach cycling classes for fun, right. And I always said, you know, they'd walk in, everybody walk in this class, and they are judging you, like, from the second. It's like, oh, you better be good, spin boy. You know, it's like this population walks in and they're so grateful you're there.
[00:12:05] Speaker C: They're just so happy to see you. Absolutely.
[00:12:07] Speaker D: And if you can make an. What we call an authentic connection with them, the feedback you get from this population is remarkable. We always say that. You know, there's a. One of our volunteer instructors one time said, how does it feel to help this population and volunteer? And I remember he looked at that videographer and he says what? He says, they give me a thousand times more.
[00:12:32] Speaker C: Right.
[00:12:33] Speaker D: That's a pretty cool thing to be part of. You know, I feel guilty because this population treats me better than I deserve, you know, But I think back to your question is that we all know, look, there's a feedback loop, right. When we feel good physically, it goes to our brains and stuff, and we kind of do it the other way around. We kind of connect from an emotional, you know, brain perspective first. In other words, this is. There's some reason I want to show up other than fitness. And then when, you know, they start moving and we know that feedback loop, it's like, I feel better about myself. I. I feel stronger.
[00:13:08] Speaker C: Right.
[00:13:09] Speaker D: You know, whether they are actually stronger or not, sometimes, I don't know. Right. Think about the ability levels. But if you think you do, that's huge.
[00:13:18] Speaker C: Yes. You know, perception is reality, and sometimes physically, it might literally happen. But I think you bring up a really good point about that where it's. I mean, it's just so much about so much more than fitness. To your point, neurotypical people who then want to try to go run a marathon, they can train alone, but if they train with a group, they're more likely to be successful training with a group because it's about more than just running. It's about that camaraderie and that interaction, and that's exactly what you built. And I think that that's amazing. And I actually was going to talk about all these other types of organizations you're seeing out there now, and you know, why that you think they are popping up? I guess. Is this just like the new fad, the new thing, you know?
[00:13:58] Speaker D: Well, I hope not. I hope it's not a fad. We're Group fitness, right. Fun with friends. And it goes from there. I know of individuals, I know of some gyms and some other organizations that they're doing kind of more one on one. There's a massive place for that. And like, as a parent, boy, I would have liked to had a lot more of that, you know, when Emma was at that age and we have some of that now. There's a place for all of it.
[00:14:21] Speaker C: You know, there's so much more you even work on during fitness from a behavior analyst standpoint, from following instructions, you know, staying on task, things that you also need for real life problem solving, you know, a lot of executive functioning
[00:14:34] Speaker D: skills, a lot of these, I'll call them functional skills, you have to acquire to be part of it. In other words, you have to support your teammates, you can't act out, you have to follow instructions, you have to stay to the end and all of that. And so the goal system is like, you learn that, oh, there is a good feeling that I get from achieving something, even though I didn't really think I wanted to, you know, at first. And so we, we have formalized that in the program so that our partners, you know, our instructors kind of know and we could accentuate and be intentional about these things because with Bloom, we're grateful enough with the population we've getting them to choose to show up. So they're showing up, right. So what else can we do besides just fitness? I don't mean to say just fitness, but the opportunity is so much larger. And here's the thing about what you just said. There are times, then again, I can measure, know that somebody's gotten stronger. I can see the emotional lift almost every time. I mean, we'll have people that come in the class, some of the staff, they'll come and so they'll do like five classes and there'll be an individual that chooses to show up. But they're just standing there. And the staff will come to me and go, that person should get credit for class because they're just standing there. And I'll say, well, did they choose to be there? They go, yeah, you know, they did, but they're not doing anything. I said, as long as they're choosing to be there. What is shown over the years is that they'll improve and they'll get into it, but they're going to do it on their schedule, not yours.
[00:16:06] Speaker C: Right?
[00:16:06] Speaker D: That's one of the aspects, you know, if you want to call them modifications of the program. And we've seen some, I mean, it Makes me tear up. We've seen some remarkable. I was out at Brookwood this week, and there's a lady that's. She's been in the wheelchair. She's always been in a wheelchair. And so I don't get the opportunity to lead class as much, but it's still the most fun thing I can do. I'm sitting there, she's up front, she's in her wheelchair, and she gets. Puts her arms on that wheelchair, and she. She stands up just for a moment.
[00:16:36] Speaker C: Wow.
[00:16:37] Speaker D: And she just wanted to show me that, you know, and it's just like,
[00:16:41] Speaker C: okay, that's what it's all about.
[00:16:42] Speaker D: That's what it's all about, baby.
[00:16:44] Speaker C: Because you started with one location and you now have how many? Your program in how many locations?
[00:16:50] Speaker D: About 50 and about six states. Yeah. Some point along the way. I couldn't tell you. When is that. I go, hey, I think this is a thing now, right?
[00:16:58] Speaker C: This. Yeah, we might have something here.
[00:17:00] Speaker D: Yeah. So now I have a board that tells me what to do, which I hate. And so
[00:17:06] Speaker C: I can relate.
[00:17:06] Speaker D: Yeah, they're awesome. You know, one of the fun things for me is that we continue to kind of. Kind of push it forward, you know, And I'll give you one example. I told you about the technology in groups and stuff, but we also have one of the only pieces of technology that's built for individuals that they can use.
So in other words, if a individual has device, let's say they're not part of one of these organizations, they can download the app, it's free, and they get the awards and everything else, and they can dial into classes. We have Bloom Live, which is a live virtual class where we can. You know, it's kind of like the peloton gig.
[00:17:41] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:17:41] Speaker D: We're not peloton.
[00:17:42] Speaker C: Okay, right, right.
[00:17:43] Speaker D: But. But is that where the structure can see who's there? And they'll do call outs, you know, they may call out the organization. They'll see an individual like, hey, I see Drew. This is a real person. Drew just did 826 classes. It's like, hey, Drew, I see you did 826 classes. That's amazing. And then we may see Susie say, hey, Susie, it's your first class. That's great. Welcome. Keep showing up. You can be like Drew one day.
[00:18:08] Speaker C: Okay, so I was going to ask that question. It's not just for organizations. Individuals can log on and do it as well.
[00:18:14] Speaker D: It took us about a year to develop it. But this technology, I'd encourage You. You can just go to on your favorite app store. It's Bloom Fitness. My daughter doesn't go to one of these organizations.
She does it, you know, on her phone or iPad or computer. The reaction is, it's like, oh, I can get classes. You can get classes. You can do classes. You can be part of the program. In the technology, there's a community feed where you can see athletes all over, you know, like little videos or pictures of them, you know, just like you accomplishing the same thing you are. So it's about, oh, I'm part of something bigger.
[00:18:51] Speaker C: Right?
[00:18:52] Speaker D: I can see it. Our partners can post, our staff can post. Individuals can't post because we can't go there.
[00:18:58] Speaker C: Right. Okay.
[00:18:58] Speaker D: But they can. They have little emojis that they can. So when I see an individual, the challenges they have, you know what I see?
I see the family. We are trying to do more and more is like, how can we bring the family in? And like, in the technology, whether you're at a group or you're an individual, you can put in supporters. So what is that? They earn things every 25 classes. Right? But every 25 classes, that supporter could be your parents. It could be whatever it is, aunt, uncle, friend, it doesn't matter.
They're going to get a communication. It'll be from the athlete saying, hey, I just did 25 classes.
I am so proud of myself. I'm going to keep it going. So the point is, is that that supporter, we hope just two very fundamental things. One, that they're given some accolades to the individual, which we know they feed off of. Right? We all do. Also, the family kind of knows that they're just a sliver of something that their. Their person's being supported.
[00:20:00] Speaker C: Wow, that's incredible. It actually sounds better than peloton. Sorry, Peloton. But yes, this sounds absolutely incredible. So where's Bloom Fitness going next?
[00:20:10] Speaker D: Probably by the end of this year, we'll have about 75 partnerships or so. I feel like even at that growth, we're just kind of plodding along, improving the program. I really try to focus on the individual and figure the organization will kind of take care of itself in a way.
[00:20:26] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:20:26] Speaker D: If you ask our board of directors, let me just do answer it this way. They feel strongly this will be a nationwide program. I'm doing this because I love these people. If we can help more people, then that's just great. You know, that's what it's all about.
I think we can.
I think the approach is different. Again, I'm not saying we're better. I think it is different and it can connect with this population. And so to the extent that more people want to be part of it, then that just sounds great.
[00:20:53] Speaker C: That does sound amazing and very organic and as you said, authentic, which I don't know that we see a lot of that as much anymore as we wish. So we really appreciate you having this vision and this motivation and this desire. So you are a nonprofit?
[00:21:08] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:21:08] Speaker C: Do you fundraise? Do you need fundraising?
[00:21:10] Speaker D: Oh, you know, as a businessman. Right. I saw just a dumb businessman. All these decades. There's aspects of the nonprofit world. It's like, whoa, I feel like I'm still learning all the things that, you know.
[00:21:23] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:21:24] Speaker D: The thing that I like about our revenue structure is that we probably about five different aspects of it that we get. And so. But we're working it. If you talk about a topic I know the least about is that.
[00:21:35] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:21:35] Speaker D: But it is important.
[00:21:36] Speaker C: And I'm sure a few of your board members would be happy to be on.
[00:21:39] Speaker B: Yes, ask them for money.
[00:21:41] Speaker C: Here's where they go.
[00:21:43] Speaker D: Yeah, no, that's true. I've been encouraged, proudly poked, saying, you know, John, you need to do that. And look, here's. Here's what I would say about that. This is what I've learned. Do I like asking for money? I'll be very honest. I do not.
Do I like telling the story? Yeah. Right. Because I believe in it, you know, And I think if, when I, when I look at it that way, it's okay.
Does that make sense?
[00:22:06] Speaker C: Yes, absolutely. I can absolutely relate. I'm the same way. I'm a BCBA clinical person by nature, run a nonprofit, and you can't. After I sit there and maybe meet with a parent for a consult who's struggling to find the right supports for their child, and I look at my board and say, now you want me to charge them money to do that?
They're like, yes, but no money, no mission. It's like. I know, I know. It's a difficult balance. Okay. So if you're a parent, if you're a self advocate, if you're someone wanting to support the organization, where can they find you?
[00:22:35] Speaker D: Bloomfitness.org bloomfitness.org yeah. And, you know, if you want to, that'll tell you a little bit of the scope of the program. There's some videos and I know it's just like somebody, everybody at this point. Oh, another video. You know, the videos, it makes it tangible. It's like, oh, this is what it Looks like. And a lot of those videos is that like I gave you an example, the three minute video where it's the, the app is being explained on how to download and use it. 75% of it is our athletes telling people you know how to do it. And so the point is, is you, you get, you get a vision of that. Hey, and hey, if you just want to download the app, then download the app, right? And just toggle around on it. If I ask parents like what are the top five things you want?
Movement is usually on the list. I can't get my person move. And I said, you know, okay, but it's on the lead part is like can you be part of it for them? So download the app, show them the app. Let's say that that's not their gig today. We do it on their own. Right. I think a lot of them can download it on your computer and do a class with them. They're 30 minutes, they're fun and you will lead them there. They will get there. And so and if you want to be part anyway, volunteer and all that. So yeah.
[00:23:52] Speaker C: On the website bloomfitness.org well John and Emma and Oreo, thank you so much, so much for being here.
[00:23:59] Speaker B: This is an incredible organization.
[00:24:00] Speaker C: I can tell you right now, special needs community definitely in the Houston area has benefited greatly and we're so grateful that you've had this passion really and this commitment and yes, I agree should absolutely be national and if you want
[00:24:13] Speaker B: to help them, reach out to them. @bloomfitness.org thank you so much for being here.
[00:24:17] Speaker D: Thank you. I've enjoyed it. Thank you.
[00:24:18] Speaker E: At McAlpine Interests we believe strong communities grow when everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Based in the Lake Houston area, we specialize in commercial commercial real estate, brokerage and property management across greater Houston, helping businesses lease, buy and sell the spaces where they can succeed. We're proud to support inspirend and their mission to increase awareness, understanding and inclusion for the neurodiverse community. Learn
[email protected] McAlpine interests looking after your best interests.
[00:24:54] Speaker B: If you need help or resources, whether you're a parent, someone on the spectrum, a business or a community organization who want to know more or need help or want to share resources, please reach out to
[email protected] thanks for joining us
[00:25:10] Speaker A: on Shining through, inspiring voices of Altus. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow us, leave a review and share it with others who want to celebrate neurodiversity. Until next time, keep Shining.
