Preferred or Prescribed 1/1 PT

~ About Us ~

Empower Motivation Fitness - logo - Health, Support against Movement restrictions

Our tagline says we want you to push yourself to do your best within whatever limitations you may have.

About Our Logo

  • Our picture is what you want it to be: a person like yourself
  • Woman, man, older or younger, in athletic motion,
  • Creating a rush of air or……You decide if it’s your starting flag of engagement or finish line of chapter one of your comeback or cheering flag of your support team or whatever you want it to be.


What the colors mean to us are:

Red = Energy, Action, Strength

Coral = Acceptance, Positivity, Individuality

Sea Foam = Revitalization, Health, Nature

Lilac = Helpfulness, Kindness, Compassion

Acknowledgements and Credits

EMF owes special debts of gratitude to the leadership of the following organizations for their inspiration to empower and motivate Parkinson’s patients, for their fitness program development and modeling and for their overall support.

Parkinson’s Foundation

Parkinson.org
FL: 200 SE 1st Street, Ste 800,
Miami, FL 33131, USA

 

Rock Steady Boxing

Administrative Office & Affiliate Services
7440 N. Shadeland Avenue, Ste. 202
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (317) 205-9198
rocksteadyboxing.org

 

PWR – Parkinsons Wellness and Recovery

4343 N Oracle Rd #173 Tucson, AZ 85705
pwr4life.org

 

APDA – American Parkinson’s Disease Association

PO Box 61420
Staten Island, NY 10306
Phone: 800-223-2732
Fax: 718-981-4399

OUR STRATEGIC VISION

Strategic vision to support participants with movement restrictions.

It’s all about the participant at the center of multiple team efforts

Development of EMF’s Strategic Vision and Programs are supported with a Community Grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation.

EMF Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors Oversight

Board members are volunteers who care, giving of their time and efforts and willing to be accountable to participants, caregivers, staff and contributors. Their responsibilities include:

  • Strategic Direction, Decisions
  • Financial Control and Reports
  • Web and Other Communications Policies, Content, Actions
  • Patient/participant Advocacy

Contributors’ Corner

EMF’s Board believes that a wide array of medical professionals, charitable foundations and corporate and individual donators can have a positive impact on the efficacy of our programs and certifications as well as the wellbeing of our participants.  As such, we will establish networks of:

  • Professional Advisory
  • Referring Physicians
  • Pharmaceutical Company Representatives
  • Donating Individuals and Foundations

Caregivers’ Corner

Everyone needs a physical and mental break with an opportunity for social interaction. Caregivers of patients with movement disorders need the break more than others. Caregiving is simply hard, constant effort fraught with risk. At EMF we believe in the celebration and appreciation of the caregiver role by establishing:

  • Support Group Meetings
  • Seminars
  • Social Gatherings
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Coaches’ Corner

This is our critical care corner where the viability of the whole program rests squarely on the coaches, physical therapists and personal trainers leading classes and providing individual services. Trained and certified, EMF providers are prepared to meet the challenges presented by our movement disorder and disability participants through:

  • Program Design and Execution
  • Motivating All
  • Training participants
  • Developing Assistants and Volunteers

Participant At The Center

All Four Corners of Support only exist to maximize the physical and mental health of the participant with a movement restriction.  And, while the participant’s responsibilities are simple and few, they are not always easy. We instill a desire to:

Resolve: To do and be your best

  • Commit: Show up on time and prepared
  • Participate: Pay attention to coaches, assistants, colleagues
  • Perform: Extend to fullest extent possible
  • Assist: Help colleagues when possible
  • Join in: Partake in programs and activities aimed squarely at your benefit

Colleagues’ Corner

No one really can, and no one ever should try to, fight their movement restrictions alone. EMF believes each participant’s success is assisted by the encouragement and help of their colleagues.  EMF puts much effort into developing this disability family by encouraging and facilitating:

  • “All of Us for Each of Us” Support
  • Orientation Assistance
  • Emotional Support
  • Training Help
  • Social Play

Our team

Mindful of Limitations, Focused on Possibilities

David Fletcher

David Fletcher

Founder and CEO

David Fletcher wins plaudits for his expertise. With experience in Physical Therapy with Kessler Rehabilitation Centers and Medstar, he formed his own company, Ergonomically Correct Physical Therapy, in 2004. ECPT has been a favorite PT practice in Annapolis according to the magazine “What’s Up Annapolis”. In 2018, he began a chapter of Rock Steady Boxing in Annapolis and has grown it to a participantship of over 85 “boxers.” Now he brings his vision of a center dedicated to meeting the physical and well-being needs of those impacted by movement disorders of any kind with the establishment of the not for profit enterprise Empower Motivation Fitness in 2021. David lives in Shadyside, Maryland with his wife Erin, two dogs, and a cat. An accomplished photographer, he is a proud parent of two adult children.

Maddie Shaner

Coach

Lifelong resident of Pasadena, MD Coach Maddie Shaner comes to EMF well prepared for her critical role. Maddie demonstrated her strong work ethic as she earned her BS degree in Exercise Science from Towson University in 2024 while working as a Physical Therapy Technician for over five years. Fifteen years of lacrosse helped hone her physical skills and condition as Maddie is now passionate about weight lifting and her continuing love of the outdoors, notably seashore fun and hiking. Maddie leads all fifteen Rock Steady Boxing classes, the core program of EMF.

Robin Cecil

Administration

Robin brings a wealth of high-level administrative work experience to EMF. Hard earned in the halls of the Federal government, Robin's process and systems knowledge, skills and abilities will help us establish and maintain a modern, professional front office while assisting the Board with special projects. Robin resides in Annapolis and enjoys photography, crafting handmade jewelry, and discovering new restaurants with friends

Amalia Phillips

Amalia Phillips

Program Director, Courageous Conversations

Amalia brings a wealth of US and international experience as a long-time educator, Conflict Resolution Facilitator (trained by the Alternatives to Violence Project, USA), a mediator (trained by the Anne Arundel Center for mediation), and a Compassionate Listening Facilitator. Amalia artfully shares the principles of Compassionate Listening and nurtures brave conversations with volunteer organizations, religious organizations, educational institutions, and her Listening Room.

With her cultural mindfulness facilitation training, she invites people to share their perspectives, ideas, and participate with authenticity. 

Amalia holds a Bachelor’s of Education and a Master’s of Science in Performance and Instructional Technology. She  resides in Annapolis, MD with her husband and Sonny, their Portuguese Water dog.

Julie Heath

Healing Through Art Program Director

After several decades as a radio broadcasting executive, consultant and business owner, is immersed herself into art as the result of post concussion therapy as recommended by cognitive specialists Now an established Annapolis artist and author, Julie creates one of a kind beach chic mixed media collages incorporating vibrant colors of the Caribbean and the flora and fauna of local rivers and bays. Providing artful healingto Julie, these original one-of-a-kind coastal collages have also brought color and joy into her nationwide clients’ homes. Julle ison the Board of the Annapolis Arts Alliance and her artwork can be found at Gallery 57 Wed in Annapolis. She has received numerous awards in juried shows and competitions around the Annapolis area where she has recently begun sharing artful healing classes with variously impaired children and adults While Julie is self-taught using mixed media of handmade and card stock papers watercolors, alcohol inks and acrylics, she is always experimenting with new techniques and styles.
Lauren Mowbray

Lauren Mowbray

M.A. CCC-SLP
Voice Fitness Program Director

Lauren Mowbray, owner and speech-language pathologist at Pinpoint Speech Therapy received her master’s degree at University of Maryland College Park. She has been providing in-home speech therapy since 2017, treating communication and swallowing disorders related to strokes, brain injuries, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, and others. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She is certified in Dementia Capable Care and Speak Out! therapy for Parkinson’s and related diseases.

Lauren resides with her husband and two young children in Bowie.                                

Bridgette Michaels

Music Program Director

Bridgette grew up in Trinidad and for the past 25 years has lived on America’s east coast. Her PhD in Oceanography helps Bridgette smoothly incorporate ocean themes and a Caribbean feel as she weaves reggae vibes throughout her culturally diverse music. In addition to her original songbook, Bridgette and her band “Guava Jelly” play popular, well-known cover songs loved by generations. Check (http://www.guavajelly.net).

Bridgette enjoys helping patients with Parkinson’s which has impacted her family directly. Surrendering positions in teaching at University of Maryland and administration work at the Key School, Bridgette is devoting her time, effort, and talent to her husband and two children and expanding her music career.

You can buy or listen to Bridgette’s music on lots of streaming services.
Listen on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3AAKlNA9QLi5JlZnI9fbLH

Board of directors

Amy Thompson

Co-Chair, Board of Directors

  • 30+ years of strategic communications and public affairs experience
  • Parkinson’s since 2022
  • Rock Steady Boxing since 2023

David Torres

Co-Chair, Board of Directors

  • Award-winning communicator and creative problem-solver
  • With Master’s in marketing and communications, helps shape policy and promotes public image, products, and services
  • Married 30+ years, 5 accomplished daughters, resides in Millersville
  • Parkinson’s since 2018, Member EMF 2022
Dennis Casey

Dennis Casey

Member at Large

  • 40 + years business analysis and leadership
  • Parkinson’s since 2013
  • Rock Steady Boxing since 2018
  • Heritage Harbour Annapolis resident
Nancy Hill

Nancy Hill

Secretary

  • Charitable organization leadership
  • Patient advocate
  • Parkinson’s  since 2015
  • Rock Steady Boxing since 2018
James Fitzpatrick

James Fitzpatrick

Treasurer

  • 40 + years business and community leadership
  • Musician, writer, organizer
  • Parkinson’s caregiver Since 2018
Susan Bucklin

Susan Bucklin

Honorary Board Member

  • RSBA Co-founder
  • >20 years determining MediCAID eligibility
  • Parkinsons Foundation Liaison
  • Parkinson’s since 2012
Florence McAlvanah

Florence McAlvanah

Board of Directors, Member-at-Large.

  • Retired RN and educator
  • Parkinson’s since 2015
  • Rock Boxing since 2016
  • Participant in numerous PD research studies
Richard Hays

Richard Hays

Board of Directors, Member-at-Large.

  • Retired from career in hospitality with focus on special events and contract negotiations
  • Executive Director, MD Chapter of Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
  • Fund Raiser for multiple Non-Profits

Sara Ellenbogen

Member at Large

  • Newly retired attorney with the National Labor Relations Board 
  • Former Rocksteady Boxing Coach 2017-2021
  • Rocksteady boxing volunteer since 2018
  • Father (died 2021) and brother with Parkinson’s

Common Questions

Our Chief Executive Officer and Head Coach simply checks out your flexibility, strength and balance to see which class is a best fit for you. David Fletcher earned a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy and is licensed as such in Maryland. He is a certified Ergonomically Correct evaluator as well as a certified personal trainer and Rock Steady Boxing coach.

Right now there is no need to segregate classes by age group or gender though we are mindful of limitations so we do recommend classes appropriate to your mobility and stamina.

We don’t pretend to have all the answers to mental health but we do know that the more you work your brain, the better off it will be for complex work as well as the smallest tasks. In Rock Steady Boxing, We add some brain work to workouts or we might just play a simple game of memory or reflex, all aimed at improving your performance of daily living activities. In Rockin’Steady and Rollin’ Easy music therapy, we believe you’ll see significant benefits to your overall mental health through experiencing the emotional pull of the vibrations, rhythms and melodies of the music connection.

Jump right in. We’re friendly, helpful, understanding, and welcome all newcomers.

First of all, there is no contact. This is not a martial arts course. We do incorporate elements of boxing for there are few sports that provide the agility, speed, footwork, eye-hand coordination, balance,flexibility and stamina benefits provided to people with movement restrictions by boxing exercises. The program simply works for men and women, older and younger, less mobile and more fit.  Rock Steady Boxing, founder of the program, has over 900 chapters nationwide.  And, of course, “boxing” is not all we do.

All reasons to join. Come. Express and enjoy yourself with others.

We have two separate programs, Rock Steady Boxing and Music Therapy, where you can join one or both, so there are two program fees. As we develop more programs or events, there could be nominal expenses but right now there are no other charges.

Healing Through Art is not an art instruction course. It is a total immersion into the creative process. Using specially adapted tools and techniques as needed, you and your partner produce your own unique piece of art. Partners are most welcome and no experience is required or necessary.

In our planning we anticipate being able to open up our space and equipment for use after program hours but right now, no, not yet

CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE

Schedule covers Rock Steady Boxing only.
Music therapy coordinating class schedule to be determined with each class.

OUR CURRENT FACILITY

2024 West Street Suites 101, B14 Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Visit with us and observe a class in our state of the art gym.

A convenient location in the heart of commercial Annapolis at the intersection of Route 2 and West Street.  Ample, level parking on-site with additional Parking right across the small side access Street!