For Danielle Duchaine, the YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont has been a life-changing, and perhaps life-saving, place.

Married with three children, she was a Y member for a year with good intentions of coming but she never had the nerve to darken the door.

But one day she faced herself in the mirror. Weighing 309 pounds, she said she took responsibility for every pound and sought help at the YMCA, which became her refuge and a quiet home with a sense of community.

Duchaine shared her Y story at the Tuesday, Jan. 26 morning kickoff of the Share the Spirit campaign. The fundraising effort assists in extending the reach of the Y to all.

"My kids are my life," said Duchaine, who worried she wouldn’t be around to watch them grow up. With a husband who travels, sometimes being gone two weeks at a time, Duchaine’s children were involved in Y activities while she worked out and enjoyed the sense of friendliness and commitment she said you don’t get at other gyms.

"The Y saved me as a young adult," said Duchaine, who made the Y part of her daily routine, and in 12 months, she lost 165 pounds. Her workouts and spin classes, nutrition counseling and other Y support as well as family support made it possible. No pills or weight-lost surgery here.

"The Y save my life and is giving me the opportunity to do something I have always dreamed of – going into the military," said Duchaine.

Because her husband wants to know his kids and because Duchaine found a home at the Y where there was encouragement and support to get into physical and emotional shape she needed to commit to an Army life, she will be entering the Army Feb. 16.

Duchaine hopes her Y story inspires others.