Health Directions

04/20/2026

04/17/2026

⭐️Staff Spotlight - Mary Keenon⭐️

Health Directions is the cleanest gym in the state, thanks to Mary. She began her career with Lexington Health in 2013 and joined our team a few months before Covid-19 hit. Her meticulous attention to cleanliness enabled us to safely reopen without hesitation. In recognition of her outstanding work, she received the Award of Excellence in her very first year with us and continues to maintain a facility we are proud to promote.

Mary's favorite part of her job is getting to know our wonderful members. She is often the first to notice when someone hasn't been in on their regular schedule. The care she demonstrates for both her friends and our facility is truly astounding.

Mary's personal mantra is "My God will never leave me or forsake me." This faith has been reflected in the love of our facility family, who gifted her a car when hers broke down and rallied around her with comfort and support when her husband Willie passed away after 30 years of marriage. Health Directions has truly become her family.

Mary continues to give back by delivering food to those who are homebound, warmly greeting and welcoming people wherever she goes, and using her personal experience to encourage others who are grieving. We are incredibly blessed to have Mary as such an integral part of our HD family.

04/14/2026

JOIN US for PART TWO tomorrow, April 15! Call 803-791-2113 to SIGN UP!

04/14/2026

‼️Upcoming Specialty Programs‼️

👉Functional Movement - April 27 to May 20
Mondays & Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
**Deadline to register is Wednesday, April 22**

👉Better Balance I - May 5 to May 28
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
**Deadline to register is Wednesday, April 29**

👉Maintaining the EDGE - May 5 to June 30
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
**Deadline to register is Wednesday, April 29**

Email twpernell@lexhealth.org to register.

See the flyers below for additional information.

04/10/2026

⭐️Staff Spotlight - Tanailyn Pernell⭐️

For the past 24 years, Tanailyn has faithfully served Health Directions with her exceptional teaching, planning, and coordination skills. In her current role overseeing member services and group fitness operations, she leads with a spirit of excellence. She thrives on finding solutions, multitasking, and helping others succeed.

As a Health Promotion Consultant, Tanailyn introduced the concept of the Seven Dimensions of Wellness to our team. Recognizing that wellness extends far beyond physical appearance, Health Directions has embraced her vision of helping each member grow in balance across all areas of life.

While completing her master’s degree in pastoral counseling, Tanailyn interned at Lexington Health, where she comforted and encouraged hospital patients and employees. Today, she continues to promote emotional, mental, and spiritual wholeness through her service as an associate chaplain—a role that perfectly complements her whole-person approach to wellness.

Tanailyn shares, “My relationship with Jesus Christ fills my life with profound love, joy, and peace, providing me with a sense of purpose. My greatest desire is to be in Christ and to embody His mindset, completely led by the Holy Spirit. Each day, I wake up with joy and excitement in my heart, eager to witness what God is doing within me and what He intends to achieve through my yielded vessel.”

Whether she’s teaching classes, coordinating events, or helping others find peace, Tanailyn is an incredible asset to our Health Directions family.

04/09/2026

April Superfood: STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries are naturally sweet, refreshing and packed with nutrients that support heart health, immune function and overall wellness. Adding strawberries to a meal or snack is an easy way to boost nutrition without much effort.

HEALTH BENEFITS

*Loaded with vitamin C, which supports immune
*Rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation
*High in fiber, supporting digestive health
*Support heart health by helping reduce LDL cholesterol
*Contain compounds that may help regulate blood sugar
*Provide important nutrients such as manganese and folate
*Low in calories but high in nutrient density
*Contain polyphenols that support brain and cellular health
*High water content to support hydration
*Easy to add to meals, smoothies, yogurt or snacks

04/07/2026

04/06/2026

⭐⭐Patient Spotlight⭐⭐

Over 10 years ago, Adelaida made a life-changing decision to undergo bariatric surgery with Dr. Antonetti - and today, her journey continues to inspire.

Since her surgery, Adelaida has lost over 70 pounds and, more importantly gained a healthier, more active lifestyle. She stays consistent with exercise, incorporates resistance training into her routine, prioritizes protein at every meal, and makes hydration a daily focus. When asked if she had any advice for those considering surgery, Adelaida shared that surgery helped her get her life back on track and to become a healthier version of herself.

Adelaida also encourages other - especially those who may feel like they've hit a plateau - not to get discouraged. Anna emphasizes the importance of listening to your physician, staying committed to healthy habits, and trusting the process.

Dr. Antonetti and our team are honored to be part of journeys like Anna's - where lasting change goes beyond the scale.

If you're considering bariatric surgery or looking for support along the way - Lexington Health Weight Loss is here to support you on your journey.

Drop a like or comment for Adelaida to help her celebrate her progress! Let's show her our support!

04/02/2026

Technology & Mental Health - April 8 & 15, 2026 @ 12:00 pm

Wellness Speaker: Cal Hilsman, LISW-CP/S

Cal Hilsman is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical supervisor, as well as the owner of Compassionate Acceptance for Life, a psychotherapy practice located in West Columbia. In this role, he offers mental health counseling to both individuals and families. Additionally, he serves as the Field Director for the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Columbia College, where he contributes to the preparation of future social workers through teaching, mentorship, and community engagement. His work centers on empowering individuals to enhance their self-awareness, emotional health, and resilience. Cal is dedicated to assisting people in fostering holistic well-being, nurturing meaningful relationships, and leading purposeful lives.

Special Offer: Bring a friend and be entered into a drawing for a free month of HD membership!

Call 803-791-2113 or stop by the front desk to sign up!

04/01/2026

Well-being Wednesdays w/ Tami
April 1, 2026

Can you think of a time when you were moving forward, and life threw you a curveball? Resilience is the ability to not only adapt to change but to overcome life’s challenges. It is seeing the trial as an opportunity to grow instead of being overwhelmed. We all want to bounce back from hardships, and this comes from confronting difficulties, even if we are afraid.

When thinking of resilience, bravery often comes to mind. Bravery is intentionally facing adversity head-on. Having the courage to act even when nervous helps us build emotional strength. Much like weightlifting, practicing bravery helps build “muscles” that make it easier to recover from setbacks. Bravery is a moment of courage, but resilience is the enduring strength that grows from those moments.

How can we use bravery to build resilience?

· Accept that challenges are a part of life
· Recognize there are tools available to assist us
· Focus on what we can control and let the rest go
· Take small manageable steps forward
· Reframe negative thoughts
· Be proactive instead of reactive
· Get help when needed

Facing our fears is a challenge that each of us has encountered. Fear often takes us to the worst-case scenario, and our body will respond as if it is actually happening right now. It is important to speak the truth to our fears. It is easier to confront what we are actually facing, not all the possible scenarios that could happen. Every time we step out of our comfort zone, we build resilience, so the next time it will be easier. Remember, we don’t have to be perfect; we just have to move forward. We begin to create the future we want by the choices we make today.

Enjoy this 5-minute video on how to build resilience. https://youtu.be/fPMqMJMiBiA?si=sB5X1YoMsOD8Qx4z

03/27/2026

⭐️Staff Spotlight - Ray Renner⭐️

We all know Ray as our Financial Coordinator and cycle instructor here at Health Directions. But did you know that he’s also a talented athlete who has competed in the Senior Olympics, placing in the top three consistently for the past 13 years?

Ray’s love for sports began early, but his true passion began with running, where he became one of South Carolina’s top distance runners. After a knee injury, he shifted his focus to cycling—embracing both mountain biking and long-distance events like the MS 150, a two-day, 150-mile ride. His career in the fitness industry has included leading recreational programs and coordinating major events such as the Governor’s Cup race.

Today, Ray enjoys helping others reach their fitness goals. As a certified personal trainer, he designs and coaches effective cardio programs that enhance performance and endurance. His focus on improving VO₂ max has led two of his students to recent age-division victories.

Ray lives by his mantra: “Start early, be in the Word, be organized, stay on task, spend time with family and friends, and have fun doing it all.”

We’re so grateful to have Ray as a valued member of our Health Directions family!

03/20/2026

⭐️Staff Spotlight - Thad Werts⭐️

Thad has been part of Health Directions since his days at USC, when his passion for combining teaching and medicine first took root. For the past 19 years, he’s found his home here, growing into a leader who embodies his mission to connect with individuals and guide them toward growth.

Even as our Manager, Thad can be found teaching Bootcamp and Kettlebell classes or training individuals to move forward wherever they are. His collaboration with the hospital has been instrumental in developing our Exercise is Medicine and Cancer programs, creating a true continuum of care for LMC patients. Thad encourages exercise—especially strength training—as a tool for both treatment and lifelong wellness. His enthusiasm extends beyond the gym, whether he’s coaching children’s wrestling or training dogs at retriever events.

We’re grateful for Thad’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to helping everyone to “be better than you were yesterday.”