By Robert Schwander, Owner, Fitness Counseling, Inc.
Another summer has come and gone, and once again December has arrived. It is a wonderful time of the year, Christmas and holidays alike will be celebrated around the world. This December 2025, within this article, I will be celebrating with you a very special, warmhearted and extremely generous client that I have been blessed with the opportunity to guide her in her fitness journey for over 20 years.
Dr. Teresa Fraser is a well-respected neurologist who has been practicing for over 40 years and has recently retired from the St. Francis neurological department. Teresa told me that she took an interest in the medical field at a young age. In 1982, Teresa received her medical education at Universidad Central del Caribe. In 1984, Teresa attended the University of Maryland Medical Center, where she conducted her residency in internal medicine. In 1987, Teresa attended the George Washington University and did her residency in neurology. In 1988, Teresa did her fellowship in neurology at the National Institute of Health. In 1993, Teresa completed another fellowship in neurology at UCSF School of Medicine. In 1994, she also completed a fellowship in epilepsy at the University of Miami. In 1995, Dr. Teresa Fraser became board-certified in psychiatry and neurology. As I stated before, Dr. Teresa Fraser has over 40 years of experience practicing neurology. During that time, she has helped many patients navigate through medical conditions such as MS and epilepsy. Teresa was truly appreciated and I’m sure loved by the many patients that she took care of for the many years she was in practice. St. Francis will surely miss such a dedicated and wonderful doctor. Throughout the years of training, Teresa’s key character traits would surface, such as attention to detail, along with kindness and compassion towards other clients and members in which I know existed in her care for her patients.
I first met Teresa through a former client who was a friend of hers. During the consultation, Teresa expressed to me that she was not doing any type of fitness regimen; however, she was a former runner, yet could not restart running due to the fact that she had too many ankle issues that also involved medical attention. During our consultation, Teresa expressed her need to strengthen her muscles and also develop better bone density. Teresa also expressed that she had a concern with her hip mobility due to the fact that they were pretty much bone on bone. Together, we came up with a good physical solution to help her with her fitness needs. During our time of fitness together throughout the early years, Teresa’s body responded very well to conducting the twice-a-week total body moderate weight resistance 10 to 15 repetition fitness format. We continued this format of exercise until 2020. As I stated in the opening part of this article, during our first consultation, Teresa expressed to me that her hips were bone-on-bone. Teresa decided, along with her physician, it was time to replace her hips. Her physician noted that she had good muscle density, which would ensure her a better and quicker recovery. Some time after the surgery and the conclusion of physical therapy, Teresa and I resumed a fitness regimen that would be tailored for her needs. Throughout the following year, we conducted exercises that were geared towards a therapeutic approach that involved strength and conditioning, and exercises that were relayed to her through her physical therapist.
Within the last three years, Teresa and I have been conducting the three-day-a-week total body principle. Teresa has fared extremely well, and I am happy with her progress. Teresa’s training regimen is fine-tuned for her specific needs, and if adjustment is needed together we adjust the conditioning to meet her body’s needs. Teresa is a model client; she always stays the course, she always does her supplemental exercises, stretches, and her pre-workout warm-up before our training session. Teresa is a wonderful example and a true inspiration for others to follow. She is proof that if you stay dedicated to your physical well-being, even with obstacles, you will be rewarded.
I am so grateful to have such a wonderful opportunity, as I stated earlier, to be a part of Teresa’s fitness journey. Teresa and her family have become an important part of the fitness counseling family that I will cherish forever. Thank you, Teresa, for being a wonderful client and an even better friend. May your life’s journey always bring you and your family success and happiness.
Robert J. Schwander is the owner and a certified personal trainer at Fitness Counseling, Inc. located at 1020 W. Detweiller Dr., Peoria. Call 309-692-6533 for more information. Visit Fitness Counseling, Inc. on Facebook, and please click “like.”
