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How Does She Do It?

An Interview with Darlene Matrone

She’s working outside the church, serving in ministry, and raising three children, yet you’re sure to find her in the gym at 5:30 a.m. most days of the week. How does Darlene Matrone do it? Listen in as she tells her story.

WIM: Darlene, we’re visiting with you because you are a woman in ministry that is great at incorporating exercise into her life. What is your life like right now? What kind of ministries and involvements do you have?

I’ve always been very involved with my husband in music ministry. I’m the accompanist for our church choir and I play for our Sunday morning worship. I was also blessed to carry out a vision that I believe God placed on my heart to start a food pantry at Central Assembly. Our church is located in a low-income neighborhood and had a desperate need for help in this area. We are open the first and third Thursdays of each month and distribute food to an average of 80 families per month. I also work part time at a high school as the choral accompanist, as well as accompanist for the Boy’s Choir of Springfield.

WIM: When you work out, what do you like to do?

I focus on strength training three days a week, which incorporates upper and lower body weight lifting. I use mostly free weights and some weight machines offered at the gym. I also do three to four days of some kind of aerobic activity. This includes running, the elliptical machine, and spinning class (indoor cycling on a stationary bike). My aerobic activity takes between 45 minutes to one hour and the strength training takes between 30 to 45 minutes. I am in the gym six days per week.

WIM: With all of these commitments, how do you keep exercise central?

First of all, I have made it a priority! I have come to realize that it is crucial for my overall health to take the time to exercise. There are definitely those days that I really don’t feel like getting up at 5:30 in the morning, but there has never been a time after a workout that I haven’t been glad I did it! Secondly, I know what works best for me in terms of WHEN I exercise. Mornings are best for me because it is very easy to allow the activities of the day to preempt my workout at another time.

WIM: Have you always been committed to exercise and physical fitness? How did that discipline develop in your life? (Those of us who need encouragement to get started are listening in!)

I really didn’t think much about it until I was about 30 years old. I had a friend that loved to run and she inspired me. So I made a decision to run! My first day out, I thought I would die within the first quarter mile! But I was determined. Within three months I was running five miles, five days a week and I loved it. At that point I hadn’t incorporated strength training into my workout. That didn’t happen until about a year and a half ago. I began reading about the importance of women incorporating weight training for building healthy bones, and how it increases a person’s metabolism. It was a little intimidating to me at first, but I researched it and met with a trainer a few times. Soon it became second nature. Strength training has become one of the favorite parts of my workout. I love feeling strong and it doesn’t hurt when it comes to the flabby arm department!

Becoming disciplined in the area of exercise hasn’t been the easiest progression. At first I had to make a decision every day that I would do it. It has taken time, but over time it has become habitual. Now I can’t imagine NOT exercising.

WIM: Have there been seasons in your life where you’ve had to change or adjust how you approached physical fitness in terms of exercise? If so, what were those like?

It was a little harder when my children were younger. I would have to coordinate my workouts with my husband’s schedule. It’s much easier now that my children are older. Even so, I still go extra early in the morning so I can be home to spend time with my youngest son before he goes to school.

Life is so busy and it seems that exercise should be the least of our worries, especially for those of us who are knee deep in ministry. But that’s all the more reason to do it. And, of course, there are those busy times of the year that might keep us from making it a priority. Those are the times we need it most. The key for me has been to just make the decision to do it. Nobody will do that for you! This is something that, first and foremost, has to be about YOU! And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!

WIM: As a woman in ministry yourself, do you have any other thoughts or words of encouragement for women who minister?

My main focus for exercise used to be for weight loss or maintenance only, but there is so much more to it. As I have gotten a little older, I’ve come to realize how important it is for my overall health—physically, mentally and even spiritually. When you are taking care of yourself, it’s so much easier to be strong for others. Exercising will also improve your self-confidence and this does wonders for your whole mental outlook.

There have been times in the past that I’ve felt a little guilty about taking this time for myself, but I believe that this is part of God’s requirement of me. He made me and I have the responsibility to take care of God’s creation!

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