Meet YMCA Members: Nancy & Rowan M.

For Nancy and Rowan McQuarrie, practicing a healthy lifestyle means strengthening the body, mind, and spirit.

“As we get older, it’s gone from ‘I have to work out’ to ‘I get to work out.’ We get excited on Sunday nights because we know we’re going to work out at the Y on Mondays,” Rowan said. “I do weights and I just started using the StairMaster. So now on every third day I do the StairMaster.”

“I call that my ‘wet day,’” he said with a laugh, referring to how much he sweats.

Nancy incorporates weight machines and the treadmill into her workout.

“I’ll be 67 in April,” she said. “My goal is to keep active. I’m not planning to compete; I just want to stay strong.”

Rowan and Nancy have always made health a priority. Nancy grew up rollerskating, skiing, and biking in Denver, while Rowan was offered college scholarships for both football and wrestling. Today, the two of them continue to stay active thanks to the YMCA, which they visit five mornings a week. Even double hip surgeries didn’t detour them from their routine— both returned to the Y in under two weeks.

“We joined the YMCA because it’s welcoming,” said Rowan. “For me, it’s the community. We work out alongside the same people every morning and we get to know them, so now it’s working out with friends.”

Adds Nancy, “The socioeconomic and geopolitical stuff gets left at the door. You have the chance to talk to people, all people. It’s a safe environment.”

They both agree that good physical health benefits other areas of their lives.

“The stronger you are physically, the stronger you’ll be spiritually, mentally, and emotionally,” explained Rowan.

“At the end of the day, the Y is just a great place for our community,” said Nancy.