Wish a happy to the “First Lady of Nordic Walking” in the US
My first peripheral introduction to Nordic Walking came in Switzerland in 2004, and my first introduction in the US was when Lindy Speiser, then with LEKI USA, was marketing this new-to-America, easy-to-learn, easy-on-the-budget outdoor fitness activity using specially designed poles developed in Europe. She was living in Buffalo, and even in the land of long, harsh winters, she practiced what she promoted and was an enthusiastic Nordic Walker.
Lindy eventually left LEKI, moved to Florida, got married (but didn’t have to re-monogram when she changed her last name to Smith) and launched a business called Nordic Walking with Lindy (or Walk With Linday or similar) and has been introducing newbies from teens to seniors to Nordic Walking and to offer classes that are as much about Nordic Walking’s social aspects as about skill building. Instead of working broadly across the US, she is still promoting it microcosmically in and around Fort Myers.
Today is Lindy’s birthday. Send greetings and thanks her way (walkwithlindy@gmail.com) for beginning to push Nordic Walking into the US consciousness. It’s got a long way to go before it reaches the popularity it enjoys in Europe, but directly or indirectly, all Nordic Walkers owe a debt of gratitude to Lindy.
love it Claire! She’s a great lady and it’s her energy and enthusiasm that has kept me going thru the years.
Lindy is the best! We are so lucky to have her introducing folks to Nordic Walking here in Florida. Happy Birthday, Lindy!