Linda M. Hughes
“I Empower You”
“Your Exercise Adventure”

To Schools, Gymnasia, and Recreation Centers:

July 15, 2020

This letter of reference is for Linda M. Hughes, personal trainer, coach, and mentor.  Linda is an exemplary trainer and coach for athletes of all ages and abilities and creates specific programs to guide them to their goals.  She treats every individual as worthy of personal attention; and that their goals /dreams are achievable.  Athletic / sports goals usually are dreams; it takes a special mentor to urge people to take these dreams beyond a poster on the wall.

I came to Linda as a 70-year-old rehabilitating from a stroke.  Use of the left limbs was limited; I had already been through rehab at a balance gym and could walk securely and still had a strong right arm.  To family and friends, I should take regular walks (provided by Andrew Freeman, M.D. of the Walk with a Doc program), and perhaps use the exercise bicycle.  That was not enough – I have been a professional ski racer, ballerina and champion equestrienne.  I was determined to show the world I was not “done.”  Because of familiarity with Scottish Games and culture, I joined Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes and sent a request for a coach.  Linda immediately scheduled me for thrice weekly practice sessions, then added two hours per week in a weight-lifting gym.  She has never let me doubt that I am a champion – right now, not in some distant future.  I had seen at team practice that all are treated this way, established athletes and newcomers alike.  A teammate and long-standing client is 85 years old – he is a lie-long athlete who has had many coaches; he stays on with Team Yea.

With all of her athletes, Linda demonstrates and drills proper techniques that will lead to success; always stressing Safety.  Safety in calisthenics, safety in weight lifting, safety in drills, and above all safety in throwing heavy free weights in the field.  Many in this sport are large, powerful men; we all throw the heaviest weights/objects we can manage – safety is paramount and carefully instilled in us.  Linda is not solely a heavy field coach.  She is also an accomplished dancer, and teaches and uses other forms of movement for cross training and because it’s fun.  Now in the time of pandemic; our safety protocols include wearing masks throughout any get-togethers and keeping our distance.  We are a small team and are setting the example for other teams in the area to maintain their training.

Team Yea has maintained our training schedules since lock-downs were announced.  We each have our own implements to work with, either purchased or loaned.  Everyone has two private workout sessions per week via an on line application.  On Linda’s YEA Workout Room, she can see us; we can see her.  Each private workout is designed with that athlete in mind, to improve fitness foe the sports we are addressing.  Linda has developed this application herself and is quite skilled with it.  We also use the on line application for practice throwing sessions at spaces at home where we don’t cause damage.  We are prepared and ready for competition, whenever a competition may be scheduled.

We work hard, we have fun, we laugh!

I have worked with many coaches since coming to the University of Colorado at Boulder, in 1976, to pursue a Ph.D. in exercise physiology.  That was a dream; I lacked the resources to make it happen.  I was not important enough to the University to merit their support.  The United States Ski Team was based there at the time; the CU Ski Team held the National Collegiate Championship.  Coaches included Bill Marolt, Bob Beattie and Willi Schaeffler – all achieved Olympic fame.  Linda Hughes can walk tall with all of them.  You cannot find a better trainer for your students and organization.

Sincerely,

Margaret E. Rothermel
Ladies Grandmaster
Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes

Testimonial transferred from email attachment to site by Linda M Hughes, 1/21/2022