This article was originally published June 8, 2017.

It’s January 1st 9 AM.

I’ve just finished a four-mile run in the frost and ice only to strip down to my skivvies and jump into freezing cold Lake Stevens. No, it’s not a Polar Bear Plunge, but a Looney Dook, a Scottish tradition to wash away the past and emerge with renewed optimism for the New Year. 

I’ve been participating in this crazy ritual for the past 7 years and while I hate cutting my New Year’s Eve revelry short, I love beginning the year with a positive start and a fresh outlook.

There are not many individuals who could motivate me and dozens of other Everett natives to get out of bed early on New Year’s morning to reveal their inner Scot and their winter pasty skin. But if you’ve ever met Everett YMCA Senior Program Director, Gael Gebow, the instigator of this foolishness, you know it’s not just the “Looney Dookers” who have been charmed by her enthusiasm, but literally thousands of people persuaded to get off the couch, lace up their shoes and make a personal commitment to improve their health, in one way or another.

Self-described as a feisty, fun loving, energetic Scottish Lassie, Gael left Scotland with $70 in her pocket and headed to America at the tender age of 22 for “the summer.” 

She made her way to Everett and put her passion for athletics to work as a group fitness instructor at the Everett Y. Her kickboxing, circuit training and Tri Club classes soon developed a large following and her Pedaling for Parkinson’s program became nationally recognized. Her motivational talents have also helped her raise thousands of dollars for Y programs, including a pedal-a-thon that had her in a bike saddle for seven straight hours.

An accomplished athlete, Gael has competed in over 80 races, most finishes in the top three for her age and gender. She qualified and finished the Boston Marathon in 2016 and is currently training for the Ironman in Coeur d'Alene this summer. As she trains for her own races, she encourages others to train alongside her to accomplish their own goals and finishes.

So, what’s her secret? How does Gael motivate others to overcome their personal barriers and challenge their perceived limits? I threw out a couple of questions for her.

Wendy P: Your classes are so popular. What’s your secret?
Gail G: I don’t teach any differently than others, but I find I can make people do more than they thought they could. I can get inside their heads.

WP: What makes your classes different?
GG: You have no idea what you are going to be able to do until I have made you do it. Once you have done it, you still can’t believe you did it. It makes you come back for more even though in the moment it can feel like hell! (Kind of like childbirth...)

WP: What is your approach?
GG: Every person is on a journey. We have one thing in common, the destination. I realized my purpose is to help people make the most of every moment on earth.

WP: If you were to take one of your classes outside, what would you have them do?
GG: Burpees.  Ask anyone!

WP: Do you have an inspirational quote? or Gaelism?
GG: Gaelism – Put in what you want out.

If you want to experience Gael’s inspirational energy first hand and you are not a member of the Y, the Yankee Doodle Dash is a family friendly 5 and 10k fun run through downtown Everett held on the 4th of July and is open to the public.

Gael always leads the warm-up, a little dancing, a few hundred jumping jacks and probably a couple of burpees to get the blood flowing before the start. The fun run finishes with high-fives, a medal and a PARADE!

Don’t worry, a jump in a freezing cold lake is not a requirement for this run, but once she gets in your head… well, see ya on the 1st.

Wendy Poischbeg is the Economic Development Director for the City of Snohomish. She uses her personal blog, EatStayLoveSnoCo, to connect the local makers and artists with the greater PNW. 

Editor's Note: Have you tried any of Gael's classes yet? Comment below and let us know what you thought!

Thanks so much to Wendy for sending over this guest post. Are you interested in submitting a guest post for the blog? We'd love to hear from you. You can check out our submission guidelines here.