Kylie Wiltgen, the senior fitness and wellness director, joined to talk about the the La Crosse Area YMCAs as a third space.

La Crosse Talk PM has focused the first week of the new year on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that place you go for community, to be social. 

Wiltgen notes that the YMCA is for everyone and almost literally has every age covered from infants to a 99-year-old member.

She talks about what the YMCA provides third spaces for youth, adults and seniors, how there are 150 classes each week to members for free.

On the seniors side, Wiltgen discusses their Forever Well Programs, including “Tech Tuesday” and “Wise Wednesday” and how they also do field trips — though they’re not all piling into a Y van for that, yet.

On the youth side, there’s everything from STEM and music classes to log rolling and e-sports to regular sports.

And, for adults, there are open gyms and pickup games for basketball, volleyball and pickleball — plus childcare. 

Wiltgen also notes the La Crosse Area YMCAs do provide financial assistance for those who need it. That program is called Membership for All. 

Kylie Wiltgen, the senior fitness and wellness director, joined to talk about the the La Crosse Area YMCAs as a third space.
La Crosse Talk PM has focused the first week of the new year on third spaces &mdash; so not home, not work, but that place you go for community, to be social.&nbsp;
Wiltgen notes that the YMCA is for everyone and almost literally has every age covered from infants to a 99-year-old member.
She talks about what the YMCA provides third spaces for youth, adults and seniors, how there are 150 classes each week to members for free.
On the seniors side, Wiltgen discusses their Forever Well Programs, including &ldquo;Tech Tuesday&rdquo; and &ldquo;Wise Wednesday&rdquo; and how they also do field trips &mdash; though they&rsquo;re not all piling into a Y van for that, yet.
On the youth side, there&rsquo;s everything from STEM and music classes to log rolling and e-sports to regular sports.
And, for adults, there are open gyms and pickup games for basketball, volleyball and pickleball &mdash; plus childcare.&nbsp;
Wiltgen also notes the La Crosse Area YMCAs do provide financial assistance for those who need it. That program is called Membership for All.&nbsp;

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

Kylie Wiltgen on La Crosse Area YMCAs as third spaces

Amanda Worman Holmgaard stopped in studio to talk about how The Good Fight Community Center in La Crosse is a third space for kids.

La Crosse Talk PM has focused this first week of the new year on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.

Worman Holmgaard, the executive director at The Good Fight, tells us how the center isn’t simply boxing. It’s a place for mentoring and education, where they’re holistically supporting kids ages 10-18.

While the "sweet science" is a hook for many, Worman Holmgaard explains that boxing is used as a vessel to teach discipline, resilience and self-control. She said for some of the kids, they may come from at-risk or low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and The Good Fight serves as a "home away from home."

The center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this August, offers much more than a gym. Worman Holmgaard talks about how the 6,800-square-foot space has a game room with foosball and gaming computers, an art area, and a lounge, where meals are served daily. She said they also focus on education as a pillar of the program, including using a "March Madness" academic incentive competition, tutoring, and the "Becoming" program, which helps 8th graders transition into high school.

We also discussed the logistics for parents, including their robust subsidy program that ensures the $25 monthly fee is never a barrier for a child.

Worman Holmgaard noted that while they see more boys than girls, the program is open to everyone — and you don't even need to bring your own gear to get started, or even need to come for boxing at all. 

Amanda Worman Holmgaard stopped in studio to talk about how The Good Fight Community Center in La Crosse is a third space for kids.
La Crosse Talk PM has focused this first week of the new year on third spaces &mdash; so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.
Worman Holmgaard, the executive director at The Good Fight, tells us how the center isn&rsquo;t simply boxing. It&rsquo;s a place for mentoring and education, where they&rsquo;re holistically supporting kids ages 10-18.
While the "sweet science" is a hook for many, Worman Holmgaard explains that boxing is used as a vessel to teach discipline, resilience and self-control. She said for some of the kids, they may come from at-risk or low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and The Good Fight serves as a "home away from home."
The center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this August, offers much more than a gym. Worman Holmgaard talks about how the 6,800-square-foot space has a game room with foosball and gaming computers, an art area, and a lounge, where meals are served daily. She said they also focus on education as a pillar of the program, including using a "March Madness" academic incentive competition, tutoring, and the "Becoming" program, which helps 8th graders transition into high school.
We also discussed the logistics for parents, including their robust subsidy program that ensures the $25 monthly fee is never a barrier for a child.
Worman Holmgaard noted that while they see more boys than girls, the program is open to everyone &mdash; and you don't even need to bring your own gear to get started, or even need to come for boxing at all.&nbsp;

Taking the punches: Amanda Worman Holmgaard on how La Crosse's The Good Fight is more than boxing

Jennifer Hyer, co-owner of Root Down Yoga, joined to talk about her business as a third space.

The first week of the new year, with the weather the way it is and people looking toward their resolutions, La Crosse Talk PM focused on third spaces — so not home, not work, but a place you go for community, to be social. 

So Hyer talks about the different ways Root Down, and yoga in general, can be that third space.

Hyer said Root Down is geared for all skill levels — or people with no yoga experience at all. Plus, there are beginner’s classes, including at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday this weekend (schedule here).

Beyond the classes themselves, though, Hyer talked about the other activities — like book club, or hiking excursions — that help make Root Down a more immersive third space. 

They first class is free and they do offer an introductory membership. Learn more at the Root Down Yoga website.

Jennifer Hyer, co-owner of Root Down Yoga, joined to talk about her business as a third space.
The first week of the new year, with the weather the way it is and people looking toward their resolutions, La Crosse Talk PM focused on third spaces &mdash; so not home, not work, but a place you go for community, to be social.&nbsp;
So Hyer talks about the different ways Root Down, and yoga in general, can be that third space.
Hyer said Root Down is geared for all skill levels &mdash; or people with no yoga experience at all. Plus, there are beginner&rsquo;s classes, including at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday this weekend (<a href="https://rootdownyogastudio.com/class-schedule/">schedule here</a>).
Beyond the classes themselves, though, Hyer talked about the other activities &mdash; like book club, or hiking excursions &mdash; that help make Root Down a more immersive third space.&nbsp;
They first class is free and they do offer an introductory membership. Learn more at the <a href="https://rootdownyogastudio.com/">Root Down Yoga website</a>.

Jennifer Hyer on La Crosse's Root Down Yoga as a third space

Rick on 3rd spaces

Kelda on 3rd spaces

Kelda on education

Legislative priorities in 2026

What to do about data centers

Handling the Trump admin, federal gov

Wisconsin governor candidate and state Sen. Kelda Roys stopped in studio, and we got into discussions on minimum wage, the GOP argument over Tony Evers 400-year "property tax increase "vs. public school funding, and what to do with AI data centers.

Before that, however, since we're doing shows all week about third spaces, that's where I began. For those who don't know, a third space would be — not home, not work, but where else you can go to be social, be part of a community.

And, once we brought Roys on, we asked about her third spaces, and if — or how — the state might prioritize making third spaces more available. 

In the last segment, Roys talks about Venezuela, the Trump administration, the "anniversary" of the insurrection and what she would do as governor in dealing with federal government issues. 

Wisconsin governor candidate and state Sen. Kelda Roys stopped in studio, and we got into discussions on minimum wage, the GOP argument over Tony Evers 400-year "property tax increase "vs. public school funding, and what to do with AI data centers.
Before that, however, since we're doing shows all week about third spaces, that's where I began. For those who don't know, a third space would be &mdash; not home, not work, but where else you can go to be social, be part of a community.
And, once we brought Roys on, we asked about her third spaces, and if &mdash; or how &mdash; the state might prioritize making third spaces more available.&nbsp;
In the last segment, Roys talks about Venezuela, the Trump administration, the "anniversary" of the insurrection and what she would do as governor in dealing with federal government issues.&nbsp;

Kylie Wiltgen on La Crosse Area YMCAs as third spaces

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