Derek Cooper’s arrival at the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in September 2024 came during a time of meaningful change in his life. He had just started a new job on campus, and at home, he and his partner were adjusting to life with a newborn. Between the responsibilities of work and family, finding time to take care of himself felt almost impossible.
“I liked to run but found that I was getting knee pain because I rarely did any strength training,” Derek explained. “I needed a place I could quickly exercise that was convenient to work, as my schedule was very busy.”
Initially, Derek planned to use the weight room and spin bikes. He liked the idea of structured cardio and strength training, but it wasn’t long before he discovered that the group fitness classes offered at the Fitness Center would become the cornerstone of his wellness journey.
In Strength Lab with Lauren Heap, Personal Training and Group Exercise Supervisor , he built confidence with weightlifting techniques he had previously avoided. “I almost never used barbells to train prior to joining the Center because I was uncomfortable with them, but through the classes I learned how to safely and confidently train with these heavier weights,” he said.
For Derek, the appeal of Strength Lab wasn’t just about building muscle, it was about gaining confidence and learning to push beyond his comfort zone. He began to enjoy the challenge of trying new exercises and mastering proper technique, realizing that his body was capable of more than he thought.
Cycling classes with Candice Baumgardner, the Fitness Center’s General Manager, became another important piece of the puzzle. Derek found RPM classes to be both fun and highly effective, providing measurable ways to track his progress. “Over many months of this class, I'm able to see improvements in my strength on the bike and the numbers provide a direct measure of my progress,” he said. “Candice helps with my form and has pushed me to try things I'm uncomfortable with, like faster cadences.”
Beyond the physical benefits, the Center offered something Derek hadn’t expected: a sense of community. In the classes, he met colleagues from different departments across campus, forming connections that would never have happened otherwise. “I've been able to meet a diverse slice of campus in these classes,” he said. “It’s been great connecting with people I likely wouldn’t have met in the office.”
Derek also faced challenges along the way, particularly around balancing his busy schedule and committing to a routine. But he found that the structure of the classes, combined with the support from instructors like Lauren and Candice, kept him accountable and motivated. “I plan my days around coming to the Center,” he said. “On a day where I could choose to work from home or come to campus, I will come to campus to attend a class. That’s how much it has become part of my life.”
"I'm in the best shape I have been in in a decade."
The results have been tangible. Derek’s knee pain, once a barrier to running, has nearly disappeared thanks to consistent strength training and cycling. He feels stronger, healthier, and more capable than he has in years. “I’m in the best shape I have been in in a decade,” he said. “I can run pain-free, and I feel functionally more capable at home. I often have to squat down to pick something up while holding my son, and that has become much easier.”
For Derek, wellness at the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center isn’t just about fitness, it’s about reclaiming confidence, building strength, and creating balance in a busy life. The Center has given him tools to manage stress, improve his physical health, and connect with a community of people who support and inspire him.
“I picked up running as a form of stress relief, and now I can do that pain free thanks to training at the Center,” Derek said. “I also feel more capable in everyday life, which makes all the difference.”
Derek’s journey is a reminder that wellness is more than exercise, it’s about finding the right support, pushing past limits, and creating a sustainable, fulfilling routine. For him, the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center has been a place to grow stronger, both physically and personally, proving that even in the busiest seasons of life, there’s room to prioritize health and wellness.
