For many teens, hitting the gym is about building strength. For Kohen Jonas, it’s also about building courage and confidence—because every workout is shaped by the reality of living with a heart condition. As an active 13-year-old, Kohen enjoys fishing, hunting, playing catch, football, and cross country. But born with a heart condition called a coarctation of the aorta, Kohen’s journey has been anything but simple. With the support of the YMCA at Gothenburg Health, he’s proved that determination and the right guidance can change everything.
Kohen’s journey took a turn with an unexpected discovery. His mom, Allison, recalls, “We first noticed high blood pressure, which didn’t make sense for a 5th-grade boy.” After seeing several specialists, Kohen’s family learned that an area of his aorta the size of a pencil lead was supposed to be the size of a nickel. After surgery to place a stent, “He felt so much better and was ready to begin working on his own physical health,” his mom recalled.
Overcoming Hurdles with Heart
Starting that journey wasn’t easy. Lifting heavy weights—a staple of teen workouts—was strictly off limits. Kohen stated, “The doctor told me I could not lift heavy weights because it puts additional strain on my heart.” That’s when Allison turned to the YMCA at Gothenburg Health for help and got connected with Youth & Family Director Jon Gonzalez. “I reached out to Julie Czochara (Director of YMCA at Gothenburg Health), who knows Kohen well,” Allison recalled, “and she told us she had just the right person—and she was right! Jon was truly a blessing to Kohen and our family.”
Kohen began training with Jon three mornings a week. When Jon noticed him showing up 30 minutes early to their 6 AM sessions, he commented, “That kind of commitment surprised me and spoke volumes about his determination.” Together, Jon and Kohen built workouts focused on form, endurance, and safe strength training. Kohen gratefully remarked, “Jon researched my restrictions and created a workout plan where I could learn new things and even helped me adjust my workouts to work in the school weight room.”
For Kohen, the Y became more than a gym; it was a place of learning and growth. “Before my surgery,” Kohen recalled, “I was a big boy lineman. After
working with Jon, I knew how to work with my body so I could get stronger. He made me feel like I mattered, and I felt like he enjoyed working together.”
A Parent’s Pride
Seeing Kohen embrace his strength and potential has been a rewarding journey for Allison. “Jon definitely made a lasting impact,” remarks Allison. “He instilled in Kohen so much more than a workout. He highlighted the importance of being punctual, respectful, and holding yourself accountable,” all lessons his mom says reinforce the values taught at home.
Commenting on the parental perspective, Allison says, “Honestly, it feels like putting the last piece of a 500-piece puzzle in! Piece by piece, we put him back together and got him to a place where he can truly thrive.” As a confident and strong junior high student, Kohen blends in with his peers, playing both football and cross country. Allison remarks, “He’s keeping up, he’s strong, but most importantly, Kohen knows he can—which is the greatest gift of all.”
A Pillar Of Support
For the Jonas family, the Y has been a cornerstone of support and community. His mom credits not just the program, but the genuine care that Jon and the YMCA community have shown their family along the way. “Jon is an incredible human. He goes out of his way to ask how Kohen is doing and is truly invested in him as a person. Having a partner in his journey has meant the world to us!”
The training experience has been transformative not just for Kohen and his family, but for Jon as well. Jon remarks, “Kohen gave me back confidence in my own ability to move forward in helping people through health and wellness. His drive reminded me why I do this work and how meaningful it is to walk alongside people on their journey.”
Kohen’s journey reminds us all that the YMCA is more than just a place to work out—it’s a place where personal challenges are met with compassion, where limitations become opportunities, and where teens like Kohen discover just how strong they really are. To anyone who might be apprehensive about their own health journey, take Kohen’s words to heart: “If I can do it, you can do it!”