For Carmen Merced, a banker, grandmother, and Bayonne resident, 2008 was one of the worst years of her life.
This was the year her mother died after Merced had spent four tough years helping her deal with Alzheimer’s – one of seven close relatives who died that same year.
While Merced managed to maintain her professional demeanor in order to perform the duties required of her as a staff member of Provident Bank, life outside of work became more and more unbearable.
DON’T MOVE – Carmen Merced, a Bayonne grandmother, is part of this balancing act demonstration for kick boxing.
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A resident of Bayonne since 2004, Merced says she loves Bayonne, but knew she was growing more and more depressed.
Then one day walking down Broadway, she saw Club KO and recalled the days prior to her mother’s illness when she worked out in Jersey City.
Kicking off depression
She had earned a black-belt in Tae Kwon Do six years earlier, so kickboxing was a natural fit.
She decided to go back to her roots and joined the club.
“It turned my whole life around,” she said.
Not only did the program at the club lift her spirits, but also got her back into shape – no, into better shape than she was in before her depression hit.
She said during her grieving she had gained weight. In the program, she shed more than 60 pounds, and developed muscles and abs she didn’t have when she was top form in Tae Kwon Do.
“After about a year, a manager at Club KO approached me to suggest I consider instructor training,” Merced added.
Luis Paredes, the Club KO manager at West New York, was the first to approach Merced about instructing.
“Carmen’s energy was incredible. It is contagious energy that helps everyone in the class,” said Paredes. “With her energy and ability, she was a natural instructor.”
An employee of Provident Bank, Merced currently teaches at several Club KOs in Hudson County, including Bayonne, West New York and in Hoboken.
Merced has been with the Provident Bank for about 11 years, and is based out of its Loan Center in Woodbridge. She is part of a 33-person department working to support Provident’s commercial lending team.
“Exercise can help people with anxiety by allowing them to release the stress,” she said, citing the physical and psychological benefits.
While she said she loved to train in Tae Kwon Do, her current exercise program does much more for her development and provides immense satisfaction.
“When you hit a hundred pound bag, you get yourself in good condition,” she said. “I couldn’t stand going to a regular gym where all you’re doing is walking on a treadmill.”
She also changed in her social habits, saying that since joining the gym she has made “a gazillion” friends.
Back in the world
“When you go through anxiety, you stay in doors,” she said. “After my mother died, I went through it all, anger and denial. I was crying all the time. After joining the club, training there, and then teacher, that all went away. I practically live at the gym now.”
This experience pulled her out of the depths of depression, she said, and allows her to help other people. As a teacher, she emphasizes the physical benefits of the program, conditioning and resistance, which allows them to burn off calories and improve their mental well being.
“I have energy now that is non-stop,” she said. “I don’t allow people in my classes to say they can’t do something. You have to try, do, and then succeed.”
She has two adult children, and is expecting her fourth grandchild in March. She is also working toward her CPR and AED certifications through the American Heart Association and plans to continue studying with the National Academy for Sports Medicine to be designated a certified personal trainer.