Meet YMCA Member: Bill M.

Bill McDaniel’s been a YMCA member for just a year, but in this short time, he’s transformed his life.

A student majoring in criminology at the University of Montana, Bill joined the YMCA in 2021 when the UM’s own gym was closed due to the pandemic. Bill’s goal? Develop a fitness routine that would prepare him for the US Air Force’s Physical Ability & Stamina Test (PAST).

“When I first joined the Y, I was considering becoming a Navy SEAL,” Bill explained. “My dad’s an Air Force vet, though, and after speaking with him, I set my sights on Air Force Special Operations.”

The PAST consists of pullups, pushups, sit ups, a run, and two different swims—all done under time restrictions. To prepare, Bill comes to the YMCA in between classes and works out for two hours a day, following a strict workout program. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bill hits the indoor track to train for the test’s 1.5-mile run. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he’s in the pool where he practices for the test’s underwater swim and 500m swim. He also incorporates pushups, pullups, sit ups, and free weights into his daily routine.

Not only has Bill seen his overall fitness endurance improve, he’s also dropped 100 pounds.

“When I started, I weighed 250 pounds,” he said. “I’m about 155 now.”

“I feel amazing. I don’t feel like an old man anymore with a bad back and joints,” he added with a laugh.

Bill will graduate from the University of Montana in May and will take the PAST after graduation. In the meantime, he’ll continue working out at the YMCA with his sights set on passing the PAST. Good luck, Bill!