For my final project I decided to follow my boyfriend, Johnny (34) around the gym at Planet Fitness in Marlboro, NJ.
While working as an EEG technician at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, as well as being a part-time student at Middlesex County College to be a registered nurse, Johnny goes to the gym every morning, Monday through Friday before working from 3:00-11:00pm.
Despite being a first line healthcare worker and student, Johnny understands the importance of exercise in order to help balance out the mind and stay healthy.
Johnny has had two very serious injuries in the past ten years. The first, a car crash that almost took his life and left him unable to walk for months. The second incident was when his lung collapsed while working out at the gym. Although he has difficulty breathing from time to time and struggles with anxiety since his accident, he uses the gym as a way to push himself forward and stay motivated both physically and mentally.
While some people may be hesitant to go to the gym during a global pandemic, the facilities at Planet Fitness in Marlboro are routinely cleaned throughout the day, everyone is required to wear a mask and have their temperature read and capacity is limited to about 35 people.
Working at a hospital and facing his own health challenges each day, Johnny doesn’t let fears of coronavirus deter him from his goals.