When Mark Mueller's wife, Jackie, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1998, the couple saw the diagnosis as an opportunity. "We decided to treat this naturally as much as we could, without medication," Mark recalled. "We did a lot of experimenting with nutrition and exercise to see what worked and what didn't." The result of their efforts became MS FitEffect, a free, 10-week fitness program for people with MS. The next session will run from Saturday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Nov. 19, at Elizabethtown Fitness Club, 626 S. Market St.

"I did not set out to do this. It sort of found me," Mark said. After his wife's diagnosis, Mark changed careers from operating his own woodworking business to become a personal trainer. "I have always loved fitness, so I got my personal training certification, but I had no idea of how to work with people with MS," he explained. Through trial and error with Jackie, Mark created a program that has helped people improve their balance and strength. The couple created MS FitEffect in 2016, and the effort became a nonprofit in September of 2020. "We teach strength, stamina and stability," Mark stated. "Through persistent training, we have watched clients gain strength, stamina and live more productive lives. We have watched them move from wheelchairs and walkers to standing, first steps, skipping and even running."

The Muellers offer the program once a year, and classes are capped at 20 participants. Because it's free, people may only participate in one 10-week session. "They get a gym membership, and they get one-on-one training with an MS fitness and wellness certified trainer," Mark said. "They get an exercise program that's designed for them by a trainer." He noted that the exercises are suitable to do in the gym or at home. Because MS affects everyone differently, programs are individualized, he explained. "This is for anybody at any age, at any stage," he said. The goal of the program is to teach participants exercises they can continue on their own at home or at the gym after the session concludes.

In the future, Mark would like to create a full online video library of exercises, which would be free to access, along with weekly podcasts or webinars with information on living with MS. Funding for MS FitEffect comes from community sponsors, including past participants. "About one-third of our sponsorships are from people who have gone through the program," Mark said. "They want to pay it forward to someone else."

Mark emphasized that anyone with MS can benefit from his program. "We work on the mind-body connection," he stated. "This is a program for everybody. So many people want a magic pill, and this is not about a magic pill. It's about what a person is willing to put into it to help themselves. We work alongside them. We encourage them. If they put in the work, they will definitely see results."

For more information on MS FitEffect, visit http://www.msfiteffect.org, email msfiteffect@gmail.com or call 717-682-7230.