Today we’d like to introduce you to Manju Nivsarkar.
Hi Manju, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After moving to the United States with my family from India, I spent my initial few years volunteering at local animal shelters. Serving those in need was always my passion, and when asked by a friend to help with a child with special needs, I said yes. I soon realized that this was my calling and I can help special needs community in more capacity.
I began looking for ways to serve. I started my career working in the field of Autism that started with my education with a Master Degree from ASU – M.ed with an Emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and a BS from UTD in Child Learning & Development and Psychology dual major. Paired with that has been my personal interest in physical fitness and strength conditioning. I worked as an ABA therapist in a private clinic for more then 10 years. Throughout my career in ABA, I always saw the need to help the special needs community lead a healthier lifestyle. I was able to combine my education, experience and my passion into one goal of serving the community this way.
I realized that while programs were available for the public, they rarely were accessible to those with special needs. I recognized that this missing service was one of the primary reasons why the special needs community had a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits. Upon doing more research on how I could help, I found Special Strong. I was excited to bring together my passion for fitness, I opened up the doors of my location Special Strong West North Dallas serving Plano, Richardson, Addison, Carroltton area for last 5 years. Through out this journey, there were many challenges but I would say the most difficult was gaining the skill of earning trust. I learned quickly that forming a bond with the client and also the caregiver was vital to the success of any program and started focusing on being good at that.
Now I can proudly say that I have a great team which supports me and my ability to connect with every type of client. Whether they are five or
90+ years old, I take the time to get on their level and connect with them to create a strong bond that encourages trust and dedication. I attribute my success to my skills of observation and assessment and I try not to simply throw clients into a cookie-cutter plan but make an effort to understand their specific needs and create an individualized program just for
them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I opened up during Pandemic which was the hardest time. The only ongoing challenge in this field is to spread the reach about our Adaptive services so that people can benefit after they are done with PT, OT, and other rehab work or get 1:1 help for faster results.
As you know, we’re big fans of Special Strong West North Dallas TX. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Adapted fitness training for individuals with mental and physical challenges. Special Strong West North Dallas is one of the only gyms in the country that offers science-based adaptive and inclusive fitness programs for children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens with various challenges( mental, physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges).
Special Strong offers science-based one-on-one and group training programs that are designed to meet the unique challenges of children, adolescents, and adults that prevent them from obtaining health-supportive exercise in conventional gyms.
We offer the customized, best science-based private (1:1) and group training programs that are designed to meet the unique challenges for various age group starting from 5 years of age to 90+. We offer services at various platforms: Local gyms, Corporate group classes, In-home, Virtual.
Our Mission: To unlock the strength and confidence within the mind, body, and spirit of every individual impacted by mental, physical, and cognitive challenges in order to live a more independent and abundant life.
What does success mean to you?
I wanted to share some thoughts on the importance of persistence and the impact of the work we do. I truly believe in the power of not giving up and continuing to try until you succeed; if one door is closed, we must try another.
I feel a great sense of accomplishment when my athletes and caregivers achieve their health goals. Whether it is teaching a five-year-old how to run, float in water, or throw a ball, or teaching a 90-year-old how to fall safely and get back up, these are the meaningful changes that allow them to live abundant lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.specialstrong.com/west-north-dallas-tx/about-the-trainers-manju-nivsarkar/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialstrongwestnorthdallastx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westnorthdallastx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manjunivsarkar/
- Other: https://specialstrongwestnorthdallas.com/
