Judy George, a certified exercise specialist, personal and group fitness trainer with a nursing studies background, said that her three car accidents have been a gift. She has also experienced concussions and has arthritis and knee pain.  

Those accidents and pain have made her a better teacher, she said, and more sympathetic to the people with whom she works. “I live with chronic pain, so my attitude is everything,” she said, along with building a strong faith foundation.  

Judy George

George, also a member of the Curatio health care apostolate, recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to discuss how to offer hope for those experiencing chronic illness and help those who love and care for them. “I can’t do what I used to do,” she said, but instead focuses on “what do I get to do, what can I do now?” 

“Just allowing yourself to be where you are and unite the pain with Christ …,” she said. “One of the things my mom always would say: ‘Offer it up.’”  

George said when she feels down, she often prays the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary while she walks. Or meditates on some of the responses she may give, like “Jesus, help me deal wisely with both praise and humiliation. For you are my joy, oh Lord, and my one desire,” she said. “So, if I keep that focus, it helps me to keep things in perspective.”  

George is in the process of becoming certified in pietra fitness, which she said helps people increase their faith, health and wellness through stretching and strengthening exercises. “And it’s paired with Christian prayer and meditation,” she said.  

“I try to encourage people to surround themselves with positive people, prayerful people who will build me up, who can pray with me and keep on keeping on,” George said. 

George suggests visiting pietrafitness.com, and the website vizziq.com for help with balance and posture issues. 

To hear the complete interview, tune in to the 9 p.m. July 29 “Practicing Catholic” show, which repeats at 1 p.m. July 30 and 2 p.m. July 31 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.  

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with primary care physician Dr. Karen Dalton, who discusses common causes of infertility and seeking care through NaPro technology; and Father Richard Kunst, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, a papal artifacts collector and an advisor to the History Channel’s program, “Pawn Stars,” who describes his collection and an upcoming exhibit at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. 

Listen to their interviews after they have aired at:

PracticingCatholicShow.com

Practicing Catholic on Spotify