SHERIDAN – Desiree Pearce hated physical education when she was growing up. She has given up on every opportunity, which is hilarious now, given her current role as Health and Wellness Director at the Sheridan County YMCA.
“My old PE teacher comes in and always says, ‘Wow, I never thought you’d do that,'” Pearce said. “I would skip all the time because I’m not athletic. When it comes to a ball, I’m not good at it. “
Pearce has been with the Y for nearly 12 years in a variety of roles. She does a lot of volunteer work, most notably the Bighorn Mountain Wild and Scenic Trail Run, and is a member of the nursing board at Sheridan College.
Basically, she stays busy.
Your life revolves around people and fitness, and there are often crossovers. But that too is a little change from her childhood.
Pearce grew up in the Bighorn Mountains 50 minutes from Sheridan. There were four houses, and she and her brother Josh were two of four children in the area. Her senior class at Tongue River High School included approximately 60 students.
“It was easy not to know anyone,” said Pearce. “… I liked the people. I just didn’t know how much I blossomed around people. “
Pearce claims to be a “totally people person” but still a “totally introverted” one. That almost stopped her Y career before she really got going.
When she taught her first group fitness class together, she was incredibly nervous. She had never been to a class like this before or taken a fitness class. She said she was freaking out.
But after 30 minutes, when the music started booming and she realized she was helping people, her thoughts changed. She loved it.
“I’m very musically driven, and I think it was just the motivation of the music, watching all the people and just being in a healthy environment, knowing that this was for good,” said Pearce. “It’s not for me. It’s for other people. It is fun. There aren’t too many places where you can make people sweat and still let them come back and enjoy. “
Pearce has now taught thousands of sessions. She said she likely had a reputation for teaching difficult classes.
“But gently,” she added with a laugh. “I’m not a drill sergeant. I don’t force anyone to do something they don’t want because I want them to come back. I want you to enjoy your time here. “
Jen Covolo, one of Pearce’s best friends, can attest to that. She has many classes with Pearce at Y.
“I like to remind her that she is what a leader should be,” Covolo said. “It is fulfilled when it lifts people up. She has a heart of gold. “
While walking around the Y, Pearce seems to know everyone and greets the few hundred guests a day with a smile. Because she’s an introvert, it’s one of the things she pushed herself to get better at. She practices what she preaches.
“Always try to get better,” said Pearce. “Don’t be a victim of your circumstances. When I grew up on the mountain, I could have just been an introvert who didn’t want to do anything. When I opened up, I found what I really enjoyed. “
