When Mark Mueller graduated from Geneva in 1982, he was unsure how his studies would apply in his professional life. Beginning as a biology major and ending with a degree in psychology, Mueller began an over 30-year career with his own woodworking business. It was through his side job as a personal trainer, which would expand into a full-time business in 2014, that his passion for biology and psychology were put on display.
In 1998, Mueller’s wife, Jacqueline ’85, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). They were determined to treat her condition as naturally as possible, and Mueller began researching and experimenting with different methods of exercise and nutrition with great success.
"In my personal training business, I had a few people with various disabilities, and found myself really enjoying working with them. Some people began finding out that Jackie had MS and was improving, so I began getting more clients with MS. We were finding that certain exercises and exercise protocols were changing their lives."
Based out of eastern Pennsylvania, Mueller began a free 10-week program called MS FitEffect. Interest grew rapidly, and he expanded the program into a nonprofit organization. Now, there are four trainers who work under Mueller, and he has developed numerous protocols, systems, and techniques. Neurologists at the local hospital, Hershey Medical Center, regularly refer patients to MS FitEffect, and physical therapists and occupational therapists often visit to learn about his techniques.
"I have people who are hiking again, riding bikes again, walking again — doing things they never thought would be possible for them again."
Through a unique blend of relaxation therapy, visualization, and other methods, Mueller and his team focus on creating new neural pathways that bypass the neural networks the disease has damaged. MS FitEffect treats both the biological and neurological needs of patients.
Since 2014, Mueller has worked with over 300 clients. As his practice has continued to grow, space has become increasingly limited. MS FitEffect is currently preparing for a capital campaign to acquire its own private space and specialized equipment. Mueller also has a desire to share his work nationally.
“We are working on a new website, having a national presence, and on a free exercise video library. We want to get this information out there to help as many people as possible.”
Through his life experiences, Mueller has returned full circle to his early interests at Geneva. Though he didn’t know where his curiosity in biology and psychology would lead, Mueller trusted God’s timing to gain the tools he’d need to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
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