Beyond Weight Loss: Jim’s Transformation Through Coaching & Community
Release Date: 10/01/2025
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info_outlineWe have two inspiring guests today. Jim Snoddy, a member of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, who has lost nearly 100 pounds through the YMCA’s supportive wellness programs, and Beth Girmay, the health & wellness instructor who has guided Jim every step of the way. Jim also serves on the Branch Community Engagement Board, which, as I understand it, plays pickleball almost every day.
Today, we’re discussing transformation, body, mind, habits and the role of coaching, community, consistency, and mindset. We’ll delve into how the YMCA’s Coach Approach & Weight Loss For Life programs support members, what obstacles arose, how Beth worked with Jim, and how Jim persevered. Beth, Jim, thank you both so much for joining us.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How weight loss coaching drives transformation through personalized support and community engagement at the YMCA
✅ The role of coaching and consistency in overcoming obstacles for a sustainable fitness journey
✅ Practical tools like MyFitnessPal that enhance wellness and support weight loss coaching goals
✅ The impact of community-driven fitness transformation on building lasting motivation and mindset shifts
✅ Non-scale victories that boost energy, mood, and confidence through a dedicated fitness journey
Join the Y Connect podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro: Jim discusses weight loss coaching, community and wellness on his fitness journey as a result of the YMCA’s accountability partners
07:44 Consistency in weight loss coaching helped Jim lose weight incrementally, using tools like MyFitnessPal to focus on quality nutrition
11:19 How to overcome obstacles, making your fitness journey sustainable, with coaching and activities like pickleball, fostering transformation and connection
17:40 Weight loss goals, tracking methods, and the importance of mindset
24:23 Beth expresses pride in Jim’s consistency and community-driven fitness transformation, noting his role in inspiring others
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
💎 Weight loss coaching at the YMCA, with personalized coaching from Beth, enabled Jim’s transformation, resulting in nearly a 100-pound weight loss.
💎 Community support, through activities like pickleball and group classes, fosters motivation and sustains a fitness journey.
💎 Small, achievable steps and tools like MyFitnessPal enhance consistency and mindset for lasting wellness.
💎 Non-scale victories, like improved energy and confidence, highlight the broader impact of a community-driven fitness transformation.
ABOUT THE GUESTS:
Jim Snoddy is a member of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, who has lost nearly 100 pounds through the YMCA’s supportive wellness programs. Jim also serves on the Robert D. Fowler Community Engagement Board and is an avid pickleball player.
Betelhem Girmay is a wellness coach and group fitness instructor at the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA. Using her education in exercise science as well as her passion for wellness, fitness and health, she helps members reach their wellness and fitness goals.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
QUOTES:
"I encourage members to start small with doable steps." Betelhem Girmay
“We start with small doable steps. When members see what they're able to do and they see their progress, they just add more success into it. And before they know it, they reach their goals.” Betelhem Girmay
“The Y has pickleball, chair yoga, regular yoga, water aerobics, and adult strength classes. A lot of times you can't start off with regular yoga, you start off with chair yoga and you get a ton of friends there. But the Y has a variety of stuff and it is so great.” Jim Snoddy
"Beth taught me about alternatives." Jim Snoddy