Y Stories: McCall Washburn

If you’ve been to group fitness classes, senior potlucks, middle school dances, or events like Adult Prom at our YMCA, chances are you’ve seen McCall Washburn. She’s the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA’s Fitness Director, but her role at the Y is so much more than that: she leads the fitness department, teaches classes, and plans events, including craft fairs, dances, Active Older Adult activities, and more. 

Washburn grew up in Utah and originally moved to Albany in 2012 for her husband’s work. At the time, she was teaching Zumba and decided to reach out to local gyms for job opportunities. Her search ultimately led her to the Y. The move away from her close-knit family in Utah was difficult, but the YMCA provided Washburn with a new kind of support system. 

“I came in, did my interview, and just fell in love with it. I really did,” Washburn said. “I loved the mission statement. I loved what the Y represented. I loved the emphasis on family, that I could bring my kids to work with me, and that they were well taken care of. Then, I fell in love with the participants and members.”

Teaching Zumba quickly grew into something more: Washburn, who danced in high school, found herself drawn not only to music and movement but to exploring new kinds of fitness opportunities. 

“I started going to other instructors’ classes to see what I liked, and I really liked step. Then, I got a group of girls together, and we would go lift weights,” Washburn said. “After the transition to the new facility, I really fell in love with bootcamp.”

Washburn’s enthusiasm—and the popularity of her classes—opened doors to new leadership opportunities. She became the YMCA’s Fitness Coordinator, scheduling classes and working closely with instructors and members, before stepping into her current role as Fitness Director in 2023. Although her responsibility has expanded, group fitness remains at the heart of the work Washburn does at the Y. 

“I draw the most energy from group fitness classes,” Washburn said. “There’s nothing like a packed room of people who are all there to have fun. That’s probably my favorite part.”

Washburn also described her passion for supporting seniors and veterans through events, like potlucks, bingo, cards, Senior Fitness Testing, the Veterans Day Parade, and more.

“I like planning events—just bringing people together and playing games,” she said. “I really try to make everyone happy, which can be hard. But I love that I can do both here, fitness and events.”

As a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints, faith and family are central to Washburn’s life. She’s the mother of five kids. She loves how family-oriented the YMCA is—from preschool, to child care, to youth sports and fitness—and she is grateful that her work provides her with the opportunity to live out her faith. 

“I’m not specifically talking about religion at work, but you can still bring your faith into the work because it’s just who you are. It’s not something I’m preaching to other people, I’m just living it,” Washburn said. “I feel like most of the people who are here are also living it, if that makes sense. Even though we are all from different religions, there is still a faith that binds us together and makes us feel like we’re united. I feel like that here at the Y more than anywhere.”

Washburn’s emphasis on community and caring for one another is particularly visible in her group fitness classes. She describes firsthand how group fitness creates support systems that reach far beyond the workout itself.

“What I love about group fitness is the high fives after someone deadlifts their heaviest, or after a really hard workout, saying, ‘I’m proud of you guys for getting through this.’ Just being a part of that support group for so many people, because I teach so many classes,” Washburn said. “Each class is like walking into a different support group. It’s just amazing to have: your group workout friends.”

Whether she is teaching classes, organizing potlucks, or planning events, Washburn is motivated by one main force: the members. Every day, she witnesses how people motivate and support each other at the Y. 

“The members are the best part,” she said. “That’s what keeps anyone staying here.”

A few weeks ago, Washburn noticed a woman crying in one of her classes, overwhelmed by the support she felt from the participants around her amid a depressive episode that day. The woman told Washburn that she didn’t know where she would be without that class or group, and Washburn said she is endlessly grateful for this experience, too. 

“I've suffered from depression, and there are days when I don't want to come, but when I do come, I feel ten million times better afterwards,” Washburn said. “To get to come to work every day and know that, whether I'm feeling it that day or not, I'm going to leave these doors feeling better than I did when I came in—it's pretty awesome that I get to be a part of that.”

Whether you are interested in group fitness, weightlifting, or training alone, Washburn is proud of all the offerings the YMCA provides to the Albany community. Members have routines, and individuals can easily meet others who attend the Y who have the same interests and schedule. 

“No matter who you are, what your background is, and what you enjoy doing, you’re going to find a pretty large group of people who are doing it with you. And that’s very motivating to me,” Washburn said. 

Washburn’s goal as the Fitness Director is to help individuals and families find their niche—to offer fitness opportunities that work for everyone. She does her best to exemplify the notion that the YMCA is much more than just a gym. Seeing people support one another, celebrate victories, and build friendships day after day is what motivates Washburn to continue her work at the Y: one conversation, class, and event at a time. 

For more information on our YMCA’s fitness classes, please visit www.ymcaalbany.org/fitness/fitness-class-information/.