Entrepreneur adds healthy twist

 When Pat McCammon of Columbus turned 50 in 2005, she decided it was time to get busy living.

   For 15 years she had been on disability, suffering from Crohn's disease. Enough was enough, she decided. It was time to change her life.

   She had read an article about the physical benefits of using a hula hoop and came to the conclusion it would get her up and moving. But she wanted a weighted hoop to provide more resistance.

   When she couldn't find one at stores, she made one, and then another and another. Soon she was making them for other people. And so began the story of Hoopdaloops.

   With Hoopdaloops being sold to fitness centers and individuals around the world, McCammon has become a local celebrity entrepreneur. She has appeared on many local news channels and was featured on Across Indiana.

   McCammon will visit Seymour as part of Leadership Jackson County's Distinguished Speakers Series from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Jackson County Education Center.

 "Pat's story is one of inspiration," said Susie Gleyze-Thomas, executive director of Leadership Jackson County. "She has overcome life's challenges through determination, by stepping outside the box and hard work."

Proceeds from the speakers series help fund Jackson County's youth leadership program, YoJack, which provides leadership training and activities to seventh-grade students from all Jackson County schools. The program is in its ninth year and gives students experiences in team building skills and leadership skills and teaches them the importance of supporting and giving back to their communities.