Meet David Zid
Say hi to David Zid, Director for Movement Disorders and Musculoskeletal Wellness at OhioHealth Delay the Disease. He’s the co-founder of Delay the Disease, a group exercise class designed to mitigate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In addition to developing that program, David also authored a book on Delay the Disease and released two associated DVDs.
Currently David is the co-founder of Totally Pain Free Hip & Knee. Much like Delay the Disease, this is a group exercise program, but Totally Pain Free assists patients recovering from total joint replacement surgeries. He is also co-authoring the book Life Changing Body & Brain Training for People Over 50 in support of Totally Pain Free.
David is a graduate of The Ohio State University and has been a Professional Fitness Instructor since 1997. He is certified through ACE and APG and is also the owner and president of Total HealthWorks, a personal training company he founded in 1999.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
It may sound cliché, but my biggest enjoyment is about helping people. Parkinson’s is a horrible, degenerative disease and if I can help its survivors lessen its effects or push them back, it’s incredibly rewarding. Likewise, with total joint replacements, older patients are often robbed of their sole sources of joy in life. Not being able to garden or play golf or watch the grandchildren can terribly demoralizing for formerly strong, independent seniors. To say nothing of not being able to simply stand up if you fall. I hope our program can give them some of that independence and joy back.
What has been your favorite/most successful initiative at your fitness/wellness center?
I’ve had the ability to work with some amazing people developing these programs. With the invaluable help of Jackie Russel, Delay the Disease is now available in 17 states and Canada with over 400 individual programs in operation. Beth Brooks has been equally instrumental with Totally Pain Free and we’re both incredibly excited to introduce this program to the MFA and help it grow.
Why did you become a member of the Medical Fitness Association?
I’m hoping the MFA can assist me in expanding Delay the Disease, Totally Pain Free, and all of our future programs to the people who need them the most. I believe the Association can introduce us to patients who are in real need of our services and I am excited to see how this partnership can benefit everyone involved.
The MFA will also offer me a great opportunity to see how other fitness centers have benefited from this network. I’m looking forward to seeing how the MFA has helped other organizations to succeed.
Thank you, David!