<![CDATA[Amy's Hoop Circle - HOOG]]>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:25:17 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Time flies when you are healing]]>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:15:22 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/time-flies-when-you-are-healingMy last post was nearly a year ago, and it’s amazing how much life can change in just twelve months.
My family has been through a lot, and the healing process has gone well — but healing takes time, physical therapy, patience, and a big smile even when you’re exhausted.
I’ve recovered from two shoulder surgeries in rapid succession and now have nearly full movement in my right arm. I am deeply grateful for my incredible doctor, Dr. Cuff. In the middle of everything that was happening, he truly listened. Along the way, some things were missed, and other health issues overshadowed what was going on with my shoulder. That was hard. But I’ve learned that staying bitter and angry only weighs you down — and I choose not to live there.
My mom used to say, “Doctors are people, and people are human.” If you knew her story, you’d understand why I believe that so deeply. She was an amazing woman. I miss her every day, and I wish I could tell her all the things this past year has taught me. That’s a post for another day.
Today, I am healed and, over the last few months, back to teaching my TRX classes and my Drive-In Fitness Parking Lot classes. Both bring me so much joy. Now the focus is strength, consistency, and shedding the extra weight I’m carrying on this 5'4" frame. Back to basics. Back to health. Back to honoring what my body can do.
I’m also grateful to be teaching my children’s experience classes with the Sarasota County Library again, something I returned to in early fall. Time to heal is truly a gift.
And through it all, my husband has been on his own healing journey. He has recovered beautifully from cancer treatment that was happening at the same time as my shoulder surgeries. He’s doing exceptionally well (Thank you, USF Proton Therapy!)  and, like me, is focused on health and movement. This morning started with pickleball before work — because yes, the market, the economy, and recovery all take effort. Hard work doesn’t scare us. 
The best part? We’re doing it together. And we’re doing it with joy. 💛
]]><![CDATA[It's been a while -]]>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:17:14 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/its-been-a-whileI will be 100% brief - it has been a while. 

I was sidelined by life. 
A steroid shot in my shoulder turned into a staph infection. 
I was told over and over again it was just bursitis, 4 months later someone listened to me. 

Tests confirmed it was NOT just bursitis. 

2 surgeries, loads of antibiotics and lots of love from my family - lots of good doctors and people who care  - I am healing and feeling more like myself again. 

I admit I was been frustrated about my journey, that did not have to play out the way it did (if someone had just LISTENED REALLY LISTENED TO ME), however staying stuck there is not the answer. 

I am grateful that the infection only hurt my bone, not tendons and muscles. 
i am grateful the 2 step surgery to fix the damaged shoulder has gone well. (small superficial blood clot in my leg still lingering). 
I am grateful someone DID LISTEN to me. 
I am grateful I have learned a lot along the way. 

I am a better person because I understand how hard it can be to "WANT" to get up and function. It can be SO HARD. 
And on those day, MOVE! Really get some movement beyond making it out of bed! It can be SO HARD.

After living through a summer of pain, then having my right elbow plastered to my side for like 20 weeks - my right shoulder immobilized.....
I am grateful to be moving today. I am pain free. Able to play with my flow wand, but not yet my hula hoop. Soon very soon.
​I am hoping for a better tomorrow. 

I am not yet teaching classes. 
However, I am finally thinking about it! And that is a blessing!

Journey Onward, Amy

]]><![CDATA[Happy holidays 2024 from Amy]]>Thu, 28 Dec 2023 20:28:02 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/happy-holidays-2024-from-amyI am happy to be nearing the end of 2023 and ready to greet 2024 with open arms. I say that for a number of reasons. And I am certain you all feel the same way. Some things need to be left in the year we are closing out, while excitement for the New Year - brings new beginning and hope.

It seems no matter how old I get, I love the new beginnings of new classes, new experiences, and meeting new people! I always loved the new school year as a teacher! For me, now, I love my community and sharing my fitness passions. Hula hoops, flow wands and play bring me so much joy and it is more fun to be with other people. At the library classes with the little kids, at Ringling College with the bigger kids and working with adults any chance I get is where my passion blooms. 

I count myself luck and blessed to be able to serve my home community fitness options.
I count myself lucky and blessed to be get up each day and move. 

Blessing to you in the year ahead! 
​- Amy]]><![CDATA[World MS DAY, 2023]]>Tue, 30 May 2023 16:11:19 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/world-ms-day-2023
Picture
I am humbled today by the journey I have had as a person living with MS. My diagnosis was a wake-up call to get my act together. It has been 11 years now and I find that really hard to believe.  

I am a happy healthy 60-year-old person. I am passionate about hula hooping. I teach fitness classes. I created and teach fun fitness and play event classes with children. I work a full-time job with my recruiter husband (And love it). I count myself lucky and blessed and I believe that the universe has introduced me to some really amazing people along the way.

It was that wake-up call 11 years ago that forced me to decide that...
  • Good healthy food matters
  • Fitness matters
  • Sleep matters
  • Calming the storm of life's stress matters
Mind, body and spirit matter when working to cultivate a healthy environment.

My desk has kept me busy and not focused on this website, but today for a few minutes I am sharing with you that I am still here. I am still eating great food, hula hooping whenever I can and joyfully moving forward.
​Here's to your health! Amy 
]]><![CDATA[WORLD HEALTH DAY - Part 2]]>Thu, 07 Apr 2022 23:58:54 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/world-health-day-part-2
I love hanging out in my parking lot with people! It makes the day and my world a happier, healthier place! I am blessed! 
During the Pandemic I stated a parking lot class in my community called, Drive-in Fitness. The class was designed so that people like me, who did not want to go into inside the gym, could still workout and have that feeling of community.

When I created the class I asked people to meet me in the parking lot by our fitness class and bring their fitness stuff from the garage with them. At that point in time, no touching or sharing was happening people brought small weights, exercise bands, and anything they had to work with, even water bottles would do as weights. People parked their cars in every in every other space, and since vaccines were not yet out, we kept being the cars as "our workout space." People would open up their trunk of the car and the workout would begin.

My class plan then and now includes stretching, cardio, weights for strong muscles, and balance work (we all need that) - all behind our cars! This class started in Fall of 2020 and is still going strong today - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 9:30 am in my community. I feel like these people from this class along with those from my hoop class, have pulled me thru some dark times of worry and stress. THANK YOU FRIENDS!

Everyday that I am privileged enough to show-up and workout with people in my community - I have been given a gift. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think when I was diagnosed with MS in 2013, that my life and journey would have me working out and loving fitness like I do. I always end my Drive-in Fitness class with dancing to, the Cupid Shuffle! How lucky I am! Happy World Health Day. 
]]><![CDATA[World Healthy Day 2022]]>Thu, 07 Apr 2022 12:13:19 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/world-healthy-day-2022
As I wander into a new day. I am grateful for the gifts of my life today. Years ago I wondered where I would be physically, now today. I have so many blessings that have come from working on my health and gaining fitness. The day I decided that I could influence my health with food and fitness, I believe was my personal turning point. Food matters, moving (any way you can, matters) and what you think & do matters. 

The world, over the last few years has been so challenging, filled with uncertainty. It is at the times that I am most stressed, concerned or worried that I realize I need to pull into my space, my food, my friends and focus on the thing I can manage and change.

Every day I know I can face what the world tosses my way, if I focus on my health first!
]]><![CDATA[Thanksgiving 2021]]>Thu, 25 Nov 2021 16:40:29 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/thanksgiving-2021
I am grateful for so many things this year. Mostly that my family has remained healthy during the past year plus. I look forward to the summer ahead with hopes of traveling a bit more this year and seeing my brother and sisters in Indiana. 

I am grateful that I was able to see the kids this past summer. It was the silver lining after attending Rich's father's funeral. That truly was a trip that was a gift of time with all the kids together in IL. Cas, Calli and Sami had not seen each other in person, in two years. When we traveled in June of 2020, Cas stayed home with the dog, while Rich and I closed the physical TeamBradley office. At that point in time we moved the business fully a remote existence. Grateful, grateful, grateful for that decision early in the pandemic. TeamBradley (the family business) remains fully remote and is functioning very well. See Old dogs can learn new tricks. I am thrilled to be working side by side with Rich and that we see businesses recovering and thriving. 

Fitness - My passion for fitness remains alive and well. I am SO GRATEFUL to the Sarasota County Libraries for continuing some programming when possible, and for my Venetian River Club community for continuing outside classes for the members. I have been so fortunate that I have been able to hula hoop with people with the Hooping Classes, and meet new friends thru the Drive In Fitness class. The Drive In Fitness class was created so people could come work out in the parking lot, pre-vaccination, in their own parking space. We spaced our cars out every other parking space, and use our own weights and fitness bands. We, in this new format do stretching, cardio work, weight work, balance work and a little Cupid Shuffle toss in at the end. Today this class is doing great. I met up with 9 people this morning in our community parking lot for a little Thanksgiving Workout! 

I hope this note finds you blessed - doing well and enjoying family this holiday season. --- Best - Amy
]]><![CDATA[Thanksgiving 2020]]>Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:36:50 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/thanksgiving-2020
Picture
As we move into the future and close out 2020 - I am wishing you well. Stay safe, make good plans, zoom if you have too. I am working hard to find joy in the little things. And finding joy with my family. Being safe and staying healthy is on the top of my brain and holiday list.  
]]><![CDATA[ZOOM Hooping]]>Mon, 20 Jul 2020 02:11:34 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/zoom-hoopingOn Fridays I have been "hooping it up" with anywhere from 4 to 7 people and I have to say it is by far one of my favorite days of the week. And maybe that is because it is a day when I need it most. The weeks have been flying past as the world continues to be challenged. As my husband continues to work and find success. The time to create success is double time in work load. I am so happy that I can work with the business and with Rich. However, it seems on Fridays getting up and hooping first refreshes when I need it most. As I walk off of my lanai into the house, usually dripping in sweat, I am always happy I took time to hoop. Last week golfers going past complimented my music choices. I saw one lady out of the corner of my eye, dancing on the green after she teed off. That maybe me giggle. 

I am so grateful for the people who hoop with me on Fridays because, the truth is, I need them. And I am so grateful that I can share, hoop and smile with people - and for one hour, I forget about the pandemic, work, the college issues my daughter will be faced with, and my worries about the world. 

This past Friday I did not want to get up, I had a migraine on top of a bad night of sleep and I was feeling like burnt toast. With the Covid numbers in Florida rising, I am just concerned about, what's next for my college girl. My Wellness Class has taught me, worry won't help. Meditation and rest will. I strive for that everyday. I did get up and was thrilled that I did.

My hooping people challenge me to be my best, share great stuff and keep moving.

Thank you Friday Peeps - you make me smile! Here I am sharing pictures from various days................Amy
]]><![CDATA[Cas Bradley - eon Graphics]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2020 15:48:27 GMThttps://www.amyshoopcircle.com/hoog/cas-bradley-eon-graphicsPicture

Cas Bradley the creator and owner of EON Graphics. The first hint of understanding Cas' creative side is in the name of her business EON stands for Edge of Normal. I love that creative twist in her business name. Truly, it seems fitting in today's society dealing with a Pandemic.

Cas is a college freshman at Stetson University. Her creativity is not limited to t-shirt designs, though, she is a talented playwright–selected two years in a row as one of Florida Studio Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival winners (2019 & 2020) – and she is super creative in photography and digital art. In addition to all of that, Cas is an athlete and is a member of Stetson University's Women's rowing team for fall 2020. I am super proud to share the designs of this creative you professional, my daughter Cas Bradley. 
http://www.eon.graphics
]]>