Stay strong!
Positivity shines through in Zahasky’s business
By Sara Daehn
News Editor, Cresco Times Plain Dealer
CRESCO - “Choose the life you live. Live the choice you choose.”
To anyone who frequents Rising Sun Wellness in downtown Cresco, those words probably sound familiar. It’s the tagline that Jane Zahasky, owner of Rising Sun Wellness, chose for her business while giving Rising Sun a new look last winter.
“When I work with someone I really emphasize that they take responsibility for their life. I think that really captures that,” said Zahasky, who opened Rising Sun five years ago. A licensed massage therapist, ACE-Certified personal trainer and group fitness class teacher, Zahasky offers many wellness-based services at Rising Sun. She also offers Reiki, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) sessions, yoga and a variety of wellness-oriented workshops throughout the year.
Her job is all about helping people feel good, both physically and mentally, which is what makes it so rewarding, she says.
Zahasky works out individualized plans with all of her personal training clients depending on what their goals are.
“If they want to tone up their upper body, it’s totally different than if they need to lose weight,” she said.
She also takes her massage therapy clients’ needs into consideration, determining which type of massage would provide the most benefit.
“I tailor their massage to meet their needs,” she said.
Zahasky teaches a variety of group fitness classes at Rising Sun Wellness, including yoga, pilates, butts and guts, and rock star arms. She has also taught classes at the Cresco Fitness Center and in area towns including New Hampton, Spillville and Canton, Minn.
Originally from Ogden, Zahasky moved to Cresco after meeting her husband, Larry Zahasky while riding on the same team in RAGBRAI.
A dancer since the age of 3, Zahasky was always an active person. Before moving to Cresco, she majored in actuarial science at Drake University and worked for some insurance companies. She never lost site of her active lifestyle though, teaching fitness classes and running in Des Moines.
After moving to Cresco, she decided to attend Windemere Institute of Healing Arts in Decorah to become a licensed massage therapist when she found she wanted to do more to help her personal training clients.
“There were people coming that I could only help so far and that’s what led me to massage therapy,” she said.
She credits her husband, Larry, with finding the perfect name for her business.
“In the evenings I would drive Larry crazy and say ‘just throw out some words,’” she said.
Zahasky had been considering the name Sunrise Wellness, but it didn’t seem just right.
One day, Zahasky said her husband “was like ‘why don’t you just call it Rising Sun Wellness?’”
The name clicked immediately.
“That’s what I think of when I think of Rising Sun. Everyday is a new day wellness-wise,” she said.
Although it can sometimes be a challenge figuring out how to meet each of her clients’ needs without burning herself out, she keeps a positive attitude in everything she does.
Zahasky is also heavily involved with the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce. She has served as president of the Chamber Board since Jan. 1.
“It’s been fun. I really enjoy it,” she said. “Everything I try to do to help my business I’m hoping through the Chamber that can carry to other businesses. I’m very passionate about people opening businesses and people helping people.”
When she isn’t working, Zahasky spends time with the FIT Running Club, enjoying the outdoors by running and biking, gardening, spending time with her husband and playing with her dog, Zeke. She is also involved with the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail Committee and the Pave the Way Committee.
