I decided I should share my story, don’t think we fully appreciate what we have. Me, 4 years ago: diagnosed with pre-diabetes, “borderline obese”. Life at my lowest - 2 kids, wife diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. Working at Google. See an announcement - new program, commuter e-bikes program. They will give out e-bikes if you bike at least 3 days/week. I always enjoyed biking as a kid but did not buy a bike as adult - I lived 8.5 miles away from the office and didn’t want to waste money on something I will never use. I joined ebike program just to see if I can bike to work. Turns out - I can. A year and a half passes. I was biking 3 times/week with assist set to 30%. I feel much more confident. Decided to join the Hiit School cardio boxing class (1/week). I am bad, can’t do a mini-lap, use 7lb dumbells. Keep coming each week, feel sore for the next 3 days. Start noticing that I am becoming more and more flexible, tying shoelaces is no longer as much of a challenge. I join regular Hiit School classes (2/week). Now: I am officially (based on measurements) not overweight, I lost 30+ lbs. I can run a mile without stopping I use 20 and 25 lb dumbells, depending on the exercize. My sweat no longer smells of sugar. My wife recieved all the best treatments, reconstructive surgery, everything. She had been in remission for awhile. I did have to contact Google “health concierge” now and then - but they were really helpful and understanding. I do not know who came up with e-bikes program, I wish I could’ve thanked them in-person. I am also sure people do not always understand how transformative those programs can be.
do you work at G or N currently? Nice story and congratulations
Thanks for sharing, I hope your wife recovers fully and quickly!
Thank you for share something positive in this community, this post and fews are worthwhile reading
Needed this. Thank you so much for sharing! Best of luck!
Your company benefits did not transform your life, you did
They were there when I needed them. I don’t think I would’ve started biking hadn’t it been so accessible (i.e. free $2.5k eBike with no strings attached) or I would’ve started working out if I had to go somewhere after work, find a class, etc.
And now we only get crappy lime bikes in Seattle that will kill someone sooner rather than later. Google is pretty stingy these days.
Congratulations on turning your health around. I hope the best for your family and beating breast cancer.
Hope Netflix will allow you to maintain that lifestyle
Hiit school is here. I have my own bike now (used to have evoke but then traded it in for a regular one) 😀
Thanks for sharing and congrats on results. Not title is misleading. This had nothing to do with Google. You could have done this at any company. It was you who did it!
I would’ve done it sooner if it was on me. It was really amazing people at Google who made it so easy and accessible that pushed me.
You may not be able to do this at all the other companies. But I really loved the story. More power to you. Happy to see someone getting out of such problems.
Happy for you
Beautiful!! Love this - congrats!