Corporate Health Testimonials

Trench Health ran a wellness program for Redress WA, a division of the Department for Communities which had the task of  processing 6000 claims from adults, who as children, were abused in State care. The project was time limited so staff worked under great pressure dealing with distressing material and applicants who required very sensitive consideration and handling.

The Trench program was a key factor in the success of the Redress project. Trench offered an active program of health and wellness support to staff on an individual  and group basis . Over 90% of staff were positive about the program, especially the individual support,  which not only identified some serious health issues amongst staff but very actively supported them to work towards a healthier lifestyle. The Trench staff member involved was knowledgeable, an excellent communicator and developed a very constructive relationship with staff.

Her interaction was identified by staff as a key factor in assisting them to manage the inevitable stresses of this kind of work and contributed to the remarkably low staff turnover, considering the nature of the work.

Stephanie Withers

REDRESS WA

Department of Communities- Executive Director

Nov 2011

I love the opportunities we have been given at CBH to participate in many varied health and wellness programs this is such a bonus and inspires me to participate as the opportunities are right on my door step!

Trench has provided us with the most appropriate people for the activities that I have been lucky enough to participate in.  The lovely Callie is just a gorgeous lady – the best advertisement that Trench can have!!!  I’ve completed classes from Yoga to Zumba and when speaking with Callie about a program to suit me at my “mature time of life” – was delighted to be given such a simple sheet containing a clear exercise program to complete and also the offer of assistance if I needed it and was unclear about any of the exercises on the program.

I recommend you to try some of the classes or have a one on one with Callie to inspire you to get into some exercise program to help clear that brain fog that most of us get from time to time and just to feel great!!!

Female CBH employee

April 2011

You came up to our office in November last year and gave me a health check. Things were a little grim with very high blood pressure and very much overweight. You suggested I see a doctor and should look at losing some weight and doing some exercise. I just wanted to let you know that as a result of your visit and the  little scare I have shed 12 kgs with a around 10 more to go and I am exercising daily. I can now even jog (slowly) 5 km’s. I generally just walk around 8 k’s a day with my wife which is doing the trick anyway.  I am on Jen for Men and although the food is a bit ordinary, sticking to the program and making the progress.

My blood pressure is back to normal, I feel great, sleeping better and generally have a new outlook on my health and well being.  

Thanks for coming up and getting me back on the right track. I might need to increase my super now!! Might live longer.   

49 y.o Male

Regional WA Office

March 2011

Health and wellbeing are things that often get taken for granted, particularly when our career is given the priority, finding a work-life balance is extremely difficult.

After a Departmental restructure; I found myself spending a lot more of my time at my desk,  my eating habits were becoming terrible and my motivation had hit an all-time low.  Due to my sedentary lifestyle I’d also started to develop health problems, including insomnia, sore knees and neck and back issues, a bone spur that pressed on nerves in my neck left me in almost constant pain, little wonder as I’d put on nearly 20kg, I was around 26% body-fat according to the bathroom scales.

I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired…

But.. I was concerned (actually terrified) that I would not be fit enough to attend a fitness class and self-conscious.. and so I continued to feel progressively worse..  For someone who had weighed around 55kg for most of their adult life, being 78kg was me carrying an additional 40% of my previous body weight… no wonder I felt awful.

Early in 2010 with some (ok a lot J) encouragement from my peers,  I decided that I would try the Trench boxercise classes with hopes of losing 5kg, being able to do more than 10 push ups and being able to fit into some trousers I'd had for a while but gotten too big for...

To my surprise, my sleeping improved almost immediately, I began to come into work earlier, just to make more time in my schedule for exercise – attending lunchtime and afternoon sessions, and attending some of the other sessions to find out what I liked, much to my surprise – I started to remember how much I used to enjoy exercising.

It’s now over 12 months since I began attending Trench’s programme here and to date, I’ve lost the 20kg and put back some muscle – I now weigh around 58kg and my body fat percentage is just below 10%... I can do two cardio sessions a day, walk or run where and when I want to –I have other PT sessions outside of work and  I’m even learning to play squash.

Some of my co-workers think I’m an exercise nut – It makes me smile when I think of where I was just a while ago.

I never imagined having a fitness level  approaching what I have now.

Skeptical? sure the Trench program hasn’t been 100% of the solution, there’s been a lot of personal hard work, but it has given me the tools I needed to get moving and feel stronger again.   Being among my peers, in various stages of life and fitness, all sweating and laughing at ourselves and each other is one of the things that keeps me coming back, I know I will never again fall into the bad habits of 2009

I know I wouldn’t have achieved it without the Department of Housing’s corporate program or the  encouragement of the Trench Health and Lifestyle Coordinators; Sarah Nowell and Jo Falconer.

 
I’ve also met other staff in the Department I’d  never spoken to and built new networks;  I’m also very keen to point out the Corporate Health program as being something great about the Department of Housing when I’m involved in the recruitment process.

Shane

Dept of Housing

Feb 2011

I have just returned to work after a rather hectic medical period. I'd like to thank you for the work you do with us . If it wasn't for the blood tests we had last year as part of the Healthy Heart Checks and your recommendation for me to have a follow-up (which I did delay) I would not have been found to be extremely iron and haemoglobin deficient which resulted in a colonoscopy within a few days of getting the test result and an operation to remove a tumour just two days after that! I will have to have some chemo later but only 2 out of 25 lymph nodes were found to be "seeded" so while not a perfect result, it could be far worse.

Anonymous Male

Aged 54 years old

Feb 2011

I just wanted to share my story of how Trench’s Health Expo (which was held in early November 2010) has potentially saved my life and hopefully this will be an incentive for Trench to hold more of these expos more frequently.

I was one of the first people to sign up to take part in the expo. I booked a 15 minute massage and also informed my co-workers as there was limited places and they too had first pick with all the services on offer.

The Health Expo came and I went I had my massage. I also went around the expo to see what else was on offer. The Iridology reading sparked my interest, unfortunately this service was booked out so instead I opted for a Hemaview Analysis which I managed to get a place for later that afternoon.  

I had actually been experiencing very itchy skin since late August 2010 and has religiously been seeing my GP every week and doing what seemed like an infinite number of tests to determine why I was experiencing this itch. Since I had nothing to lose I wanted to try my luck and see what the Hemaview Analysis reading could pick.

The naturopath at the Health Expo was a very nice well mannered lady and she took a pin-prick blood sample and then place droplets of my blood onto the slide under her microscope (which was also connected to her laptop). She noted that everything appeared normal, until I saw this thing which looked like one of those bugs from the antibacterial spray and wipe commercial. I enquired about what that was and she mentioned it was a protoplast which indicated I had inflammation in my blood. The naturopath added that it was indicative of something being wrong with my guts, most likely bacteria and recommended I follow up with a visit to a naturopath.

The very next day (Saturday) I managed to get a booking with a naturopath (who was also trained in iridology) and without even mentioning my symptoms this naturopath was able to pick up that I had itchy skin and was feeling very fatigued and his conclusion was that I was suffering from helicobacter pylori (a stomach bug). He advised me to detox my body by keeping away from tomatoes, chilli, capsicum and bananas for four weeks, in addition to taking a concoction of herbal supplements for a period of 3 months. The naturopath concluded that I would be as good as new following all this.

The itching seemed to decline and I mentioned this to my GP upon my next visit. My GP was very sceptical about what I had been told by the naturopath and advised that I was not displaying symptoms of helicobacter pylori. I also told my GP about the Hemaview Analysis which initially triggered my visit to the naturopath and stated that the findings suggested I had inflammation in my blood. Even though I had been itchy since late August my GP had yet to conduct a full blood test and instead she told me I  was most likely suffering from contact dermatitis (eczema) even though I didn’t have a rash.

I insisted that she conduct a blood test to rule out the possibility that I did have inflammation. Finally she agreed and conducted a full blood test to check everything from my white and red blood cell count to checking for diabetes, liver function etc.

The results came back a week or so later and she admitted that indeed I did have inflammation in my blood as my ESR results were double the maximum range (healthy range is between 1 and 15 – mine was 34). The results also showed that I had around 100 more white cells than the healthy range. My GP’s conclusion was that I was probably suffering from some sort of infection – she said she wasn’t sure what exactly but prescribed me a week’s dose of strong antibiotics and insisted that it would clear up the infection and requested I take another blood test post-antibiotics just to check the medications have been effective.

By now it was mid-late December and my post-antibiotics blood test showed that nothing had changed and that whatever I was suffering from was resistant to the antibiotics. The doctor was very puzzled and said that it is “very strange” and that the “Antibiotics should have worked”. She then started querying about whether I had pain anywhere, I said no. She asked whether I had been coughing lately and funnily enough I had develop a mild flu in the middle of December. She examined by breathing with a stereoscope and noted I had course crepes on my left lung which were absent from my right lung. She requested I get a chest x-ray. I thought it was very odd that she would ask me to get a chest x-ray as my issue was itching and had no idea how the two could possibly be correlated. I wasn’t concerned at all as I had been a childhood Asthma sufferer and thought that the “crepes” were related to my now dormant Asthma.

I went ahead and had my chest x-ray the following week. The results showed I had a massive 13.2cm tumour in my chest and was subsequently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

I am currently undergoing treatment and my specialist has given me a very good prognosis as I caught it at the very ends of the early stages - as it was still localised to one region of my body.

Anyway, although both the Trench naturopath and the one which I later visited stated I had problems with my gut. I am still very grateful that I made a last minute decision to have my blood tested via the Hemaview Analysis, as it created a new direction for me to pursue and helped initiate my blood test  (which my GP may not have done at all as she had me booked in to see a dermatologist all the way in late February 2011 as she was adamant that I was suffering from eczema).

Thank you again for hosting the Health Expo and hopefully there will be many more to come.

Kind Regards

Anonymous Female

Aged 22 years old

Feb 2011

This is just to let you know that you are doing a great job.

Just having my blood pressure tested and my weight measured has made me more aware of the need for a good diet and exercise. Also I have the incentive to improve my habits.

Regards

Judy

Dept of Housing

I just finished the 8 week Boxing Moves Sessions . The sessions were run by Ashlee MacKay. I just wanted to acknowledge the fantastic effort of Ashlee in running these sessions. The sessions were challenging while at the same time great fun.

The participants had a diverse fitness level and I would suggest equally diverse expectation of what they were going to achieve out of the sessions. From talking to the other participants I believe that we all got what we expected out of the sessions and a number of us have signed up for the next session.

I have participated in a number of fitness activities over the years and I can confidently say that Ashlee made this one the most enjoyable fitness program that I have undertaken. Ashlee is a great ambassador for Trench Health!

Cheers
Mark Thompson

Sept 2010

"Trench Health and Fitness has been running the DSR corporate health program since 2001. Peter and his staff have accommodated the department’s specific needs and worked in partnership with us to provide DSR with an excellent, targeted workplace program including regular weekly activities and innovative events and challenges scheduled throughout each year.

Participation levels in the program have been high and consistent, with positive feedback from the staff."

Ron Alexander, Director General
Department of Sport and Recreation

"From the outset, we were impressed by the thoroughness of the Trench Health and Fitness "Wellness Program" and its professional implementation.

Of significance in a program such as this has been the ability of the staff from Trench Health and Fitness to relate to, and gain the confidence of our staff who, as you would expect from most organisations of our size, represent a broad spectrum of personal fitness. What was encouraging from day one was the positive feedback which we received from some of our least fit staff. All staff were made to feel welcome and part of the program which was skilfully designed to cater to the differing needs of individual staff members.

I thoroughly recommend the program and in particular Trench Health and Fitness to any employer. I would be happy to provide further comment on the program and can be contacted on 9488 9488."

John Driscoll, Chairman and CEO
Marketforce

Since the program commenced the feedback from Department of Water staff in all areas has been very good and a significantly higher than predicted percentage of DoW staff take part in the various activities offered. The Trench Health and Fitness professional service provision has had a very positive impact culturally in the DoW. The success and high staff participation is due in no small measure to the vibrant enthusiasm of the Trench Health and Fitness consultants which value adds in encouraging staff to embrace health and fitness in achieving work-life balance.

R D Hammond, A/Director General
Department of Water

TRIM vs Weight loss

This is my story which you only need to read if you need some motivation to lose weight.

Two years ago I popped on the scales and had hit 99kg. I didn’t believe it!! So I tried another set of scales and as a last resort payed a dollar in a shop for a digital print out. Even then, with the weight confirmed, I questioned the owner about when they were last checked!!

Now it was time to face the fact I was overweight. It was time for an assessment by Jo from Trench Health Fitness, the Department Of Water’s Health and Life Style coordinator. 

The results were that I was in trouble with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a waist over 100cm. I went on a diet and started regular exercise with positive results and started feeling a lot better. The weight left home and eventually after 4 months I reached 88kg. Mission accomplished you may think.

The story continues, Christmas 2009. I have let things slip and my weight has returned. I’m carrying another spare tyre - am I the Dunlop Man or should I just work for the RAC? I’m 102kg, shock horror, I never wanted to pass that 100kg figure. During the Xmas break I was very ill and this was the final wakeup call. My family needs me. I go back to Trench Health Fitness and everything is bad - a waist circumference of 105cm (the male waist circumference recommendation is 94cm or below, females 80cm), high blood pressure and surprise! overweight. Jan 4th 2010 I start the TRIM process again, this time with more focus, life and living it.

This time the focus is losing the weight and keeping it off. A few rules: no carbohydrates (rice, potatoes etc)  after 3pm, more fresh fruit and nuts for snacks. This time my mind and not my behind needed to take control and understand the data nutrition of food. The body is a like a car, you need to put the right fuel in to get it up to speed; the wrong fuel, ahh! you know the rest that’s why you are reading this.

The results this year are quite amazing. I have lost 16kg and weigh 86kg, waist 93.5cm and have a blood pressure of 120/68 down from 142/89. Who am I?

I am TRIM and feel terrific and I am your TRIM Training Officer in Information Management.

Ray
Dept of`Water

We have been a client of Trench Health and Fitness since November 2004. Since that time, we have been extremely happy with the level of service that they have provided and the many benefits that it has brought to our business,

The focus on the health and fitness of our employees is seen by us as a very important part of the success of our business

Mal di Giulio, Director
MGI Bridge Partners