My Y

What does it look like to make recovery part of your wellness routine? Host Ken Cooper visits the Rest + Reset Recovery Studio at the Houser Family YMCA in Onalaska to experience it for himself. In this episode of My Y, Ken sits down with the team behind the studio to explore HydroMassage, the CryoLounge+ and the RedZone Sauna. They discuss how the space came together, why members are making time to recharge, and what’s next for Rest + Reset at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA. Whether you’re winding down after a workout or taking a little time for yourself, discover a new way to make the most of your Y membership.

Learn more about Rest + Reset: https://www.laxymca.org/rest-reset

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Bill has spent literally half his life here at the LaCrosse Area YMCAs.  We'll talk about his journey to La Crosse, his tenure with the organization and some of his favorite moments in these last 31 years or so.

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Have you become a Pickleball devotee yet?  If not, the La Crosse area Ys have you taken care of.  Pickleball is basically a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is played on a badminton court with a low net.

But hey, this is the Y so there's a lot more to it than that.  One of the coolest things you'll discover when you play Pickleball at the Dahl or Hauser Y is the community.  Never played?  Come on in.  You say you're an expert?  Come on in.  You'll feel good and make great friends.

Enjoy our conversation with Homer and Deb Mills who discovered Pickleball a few years ago.  Want to guess who's the more competitive?  You'll just have to listen to find out.

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Tony Ayala is one of those members of our area YMCAs who uses almost every type of program offered.  Child care, classes, group activities.  You name it and Tony has probably been a part of it.  Enjoy the conversation, and just be warned, you won't need any caffeine afterwards. 

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On this episode we talk with Ritchie Johnson and Taylor Ledvina, a dad and his daughter who work for the LaCrosse Area Ys.  You'll remember Ritchie from his days as a LaCrosse Catbird and for the last 25 years he's been coaching basketball to young men and women at the Y.  Taylor grew up going to the Y and is now the H-R Director for the Y.  

One thing you'll notice right away, competition is in their blood.  So are love, respect and a deep appreciation for all the Y has to offer.  

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There are so many ways that you can get fit, stay fit, get your heart rate up and make fast friends.  Group Fitness Classes are a great way to exercise and socialize at the same time.  And most are included as part of your membership.  Listen in to the Director of Group Fitness and a couple of true believers.

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On this episode of My Y we'll take a look back at 2025 with most of the Development Team from the Y, Nikki West, KJ McMillan, and Becca Zajkowski.  All in all, it was a very good year.  Great people, great programs, lots of success to talk about.  And a few, let's call them....adventures along the way.  Of course the one constant is "we have to do better next year".  With that in mind we'll also take a peek at 2026.  

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Now you can do even more at the Houser Y in Onalaska than swim, work out, walk and have fun with your family.  You can stop into the Grounded Coffee Shop right inside the Y.  It's an outside the boxy idea that has been a win for everyone.  It's a lively conversation with Jenny Ludwigson, Operations Director for the La Crosse Area Y facilities, Maria Norberg, owner of Grounded Coffee and Jen Wallace, manager of the Houser Grounded location.  We talk coffee a lot, workouts a little, and this unique community partnership.  

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On this episode of My Y we talk with 7 time world champion log roller Livi Pappadopolous.  She's an active competitor and one of the great coaches at our La Crosse Area Y.  She brought along Lydia, a young protege and Trevor Tiegs from the Y also joins the conversation.  Log rolling certainly may seem like a niche sport but it's a big part of the aquatic program at the La Crosse area Y.  And there's a new era beginning for Coulee Region Log Rolling and the Y.  It's an exciting and fun conversation.

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In this episode of My Y, we spotlight the La Crosse Area Family YMCA’s groundbreaking STEM and eSports programs. Learn how their programs began, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the powerful impact they’re having on young people. From PC building and programming to astronomy, video production, and eSports, discover how the La Crosse Area Family Y is sparking curiosity, building confidence, and preparing the next generation for a tech-driven future.

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