Train 4 Life Helps Brooke Easterhaus Stay Fit and Focused

Brooke Easterhaus is a woman of simple goals.

Beat the boys.

That is Easterhaus’ mantra each week as she practices sports and works out through Special Olympics Indiana’s Train 4 Life program.

Easterhaus plays flag football and bowls for the Hamilton County program. She also runs track and field.  

Adding Train 4 Life to her routine has allowed her to get fitter, lose weight and be ready when competition begins.

“I want to kick the guys’ butts,” Easterhaus said. “I want to get stronger and never go backward.”

Train 4 Life is a free fitness program designed for Special Olympics Indiana athletes ages 13 and older. The 12-week program includes pre- and post-program biometric and fitness testing, group workouts, weekly nutrition and healthy lifestyle education. By developing healthy choices, the program allows athletes to see measured outcomes and continue good habits throughout their lifetimes.

The program is part of Special Olympics Indiana’s strategic goal to help athletes improve their overall health and live longer, more productive lives.

Easterhaus joins fellow athletes to work out with a professional trainer each week at Crossfit HSE in Noblesville. Together, she does exercises such as deadlift, squats, band pull-ups, burpees and kettlebell swings. 

The rowing machine is her favorite because, “I love seeing that I can do more and get better each time,” she said.

Studies have shown that nearly three-quarters of adults with intellectual disabilities and half of youth with ID are overweight or obese. People with ID are four times more likely to acquire Type 2 diabetes and a quarter of them have low bone density.

“Train 4 Life has given her a way to be healthy and physically active all year round,” Brooks’ mom, Danyele Easterhaus, said. “ She loves Special Olympics, but the seasons are short, and I was always concerned a bit with her going from the couch to running the 100-meter sprint. Train 4 Life allows her to stay strong and active all year and continue to see growth in not just her physical health but emotional as well.

“She not only has remained active, but she has decreased her pre-diabetes, lost weight, gained muscle and has a lot more energy.”

Brooke also has seen improvements at her job. She oversees the grooming, mucking and general care of three horses at a local barn.

“I am able to work easier and carry more barn items and have more energy,” she said. “Because I am stronger, I can work with the horses and feed better.  I also have learned to work more with others because of how the (Train 4 Life) trainers work with me.”

Danyele Easterhaus likes the social aspects that Train 4 Life and Special Olympics in general offers her daughter. As a student at Westfield High School, it was difficult for Brooke to overcome her shyness. But by working with Tamie Gipe and Unified sports, Brooke found her true self.

“When Brooke started with Unified sports and Special Olympics, she was unable to talk to almost anyone” Danyele Easterhaus said. “She could not look people in eye and was unable to have conversations with people.”

Now, though, Brooke is coaching the Shamrocks’ Unified track team and is vice president of the Hamilton County Athlete Leadership Council. She also attends classes at Indiana University-Kokomo. 

“Brooke is speaking out and being an advocate for herself and other athletes,” Danyele Easterhaus said. “She is now speaking to groups like the Rotary Club and asking for funding.”  

Train 4 Life currently is operating in seven locations across the state. The goal is to expand the program so every athlete has an opportunity near them.

“This program is a bright light in our week as a family,” Danyele said. “Seeing Brooke lift and compete has garnered her the nickname “Beast” at home. And she now has to do all the heavy lifting on the farm.”

Watch out, boys.