Penelope Wasserman
Please tell us a bit about your background and your interest in bone health.
My interest in bone health started over two decades ago when I opened a Pilates studio and began teaching. I loved working with special populations, and soon I developed a specialty in bone health along with the exercise modifications necessary to prevent fractures. A few years after I started teaching, I got what I thought would be a simple baseline bone density test and found out that I also had osteoporosis. I became a National Osteoporosis Foundation Support Group leader and started working on prevention along with management. My personal fitness routine changed as I had to use the same modifications that I was teaching my clients, so we were all working together to stay safe and strong.
What would you like people to know about your work as an osteoporosis exercise specialist?
My in-person teaching ended with the Covid lockdowns, and I turned my focus to disease education and prevention, although I was able to keep a marvelous Zoom practice for homebound people with osteoporosis and taught gentle classes each day for free on Instagram. We all felt isolated, and I wanted to make sure people could get some safe movement in their daily routines and know they weren’t alone. A lot of my former clients are older, single women. I also wanted to find a way to make eating bone-healthy foods easier to do for everyone.
We understand that you developed the Million Dollar Bones program. How does the program work?
It’s dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis at the time in life when it will have the greatest positive impact, the teen years, and it focuses on mindfulness, nutrition and exercise. It is a multi-sensory approach that is fun, doesn’t take too much time, and appeals to all generations.
Ideally, teens will teach their older and younger family members about healthy habits that will help their bones stay strong. The program includes lessons that are easily shared on social media through video flashcards, along with recipes and breathing exercises to reduce stress. The website is up for you to learn more. Now, with Covid receding, I’m again giving live presentations and workshops customized for specific organizations and audiences. The beautiful thing about in-person teaching is that participants can connect at a personal level, which motivates them to take on healthy habits that make sense for them as individuals.
Please share the achievement of which you are most proud.
I turned 60 this year, and sometimes life feels like it’s slowing down and speeding up simultaneously. I don’t know about achievements, but I am proud of some accomplishments. I am most proud of my two sons, Tony and Gabe. Both are talented musicians, and I love how they are being true to themselves and following their dreams. I’m also very proud of my affiliation with BHOF. It means a great deal to be recognized as a BHOF leadership ambassador, and I want to do a good job. I don’t want people to have to suffer the pain and challenges that come with osteoporosis. This is what’s driving my latest effort around food for healthy bones. Please stay tuned to learn more! I will be sharing an exciting announcement in the near future.