ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — For Claire Villalobos, yoga is a passion. She’s practiced it for more than a decade and taught it for years. “What I love about yoga is that it really allows you to get out of your head and into your body,” explained Villalobos, from Pass-a-Grille Beach, where she often teaches. “It’s just the ultimate stress reliever.”
When you watch Villalobos go into one of those mega-twisty poses, she certainly looks the picture of flexibility and health. So, you can imagine Villalobos’ shock when about three years ago, she lost it all.
Villalobos and her husband had just gotten to a company Christmas party, when she started feeling strange. “My vision went out, the room started spinning, got really dizzy, I couldn’t standup straight,” she said. “I had no idea what was going on. It was terrifying.”
Eventually, Villalobos found herself in an emergency room and hearing some startling news. “I was in complete disbelief, just dumbfounded. Here I am — young, healthy, and fit, and I had a stroke.”
Villalobos needed physical therapy to regain the use of her right side.
An undiagnosed heart condition may have led to her stroke. Villalobos shares her story to encourage others to be aware of their heart health.
“Get the precautions, get the checkups and don’t ever take it for granted,” she urges others.
Now, Villalobos is back to doing what she loves — yoga and playing with her husband and young son at the beach. There’s a baby girl on the way, too. Life is good. “I feel fantastic,” she said with a broad smile.
A great way to support women’s heart health is by attending the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Digital Experience, Friday, Feb. 26. 10 Tampa Bay Anchor Allison Kropff is hosting the event.
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About Kendall:
Kendall Kirkham joined “Great Day Live” in November 2017 from Memphis, Tennessee, where she served as morning co-anchor for WMC Action News 5. Prior to her stint in Memphis, Kendall served as co-host of "Tulsa Live" at KOKI in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kendall also worked at KETK in Tyler, Texas, The Dallas Morning News and started her career as an intern for “The Ellen Show” and E! Entertainment.
Kendall has interviewed countless celebrities and notable figures, from Bob Woodward to Arsenio Hall, John Travolta and Paula Deen. She’s hit 9 Gs with the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds, raised money for various charities in three local “Dancing with the Stars” competitions, and even played a gangster on stage for a traveling Broadway show. Kendall is most proud of her work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She continues to support the hospital in various capacities today.
Kendall is a proud Texas native. She grew up in the Fort Worth area and graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Radio/TV/Film.
Kendall is thrilled to join the “Great Day Live” team and is having a ball highlighting this thriving community. She hopes to bring a smile to viewers at home every single day. In her spare time, Kendall enjoys exploring the countless sights, sounds and eats of Tampa Bay with her husband Jason and son Knox.
About Java:
Java Ingram is a New Orleans native/Texan and is excited to call Florida home! Prior to joining the “Great Day Live” team, Java served as host of a lifestyle-entertainment show in Birmingham, Alabama. She also woke up dark and early, weekday mornings to help drivers make it to their destinations safely as a traffic anchor.
Java started her on-air broadcast career in the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi. In Tupelo, she served as morning news anchor, producer and reporter.
Javanté is an award-winning journalist, having been recognized by the Associated Press for Best Anchor, Best Reporter and Best Franchise Reporting, just to name a few.
When she's not working, Java is very passionate about giving back to the community, having served on the corporate boards for The Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi, The Civic Ballet Company, The Doniphan Dance Project and the Leadership Council for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. She has volunteered also with a number of civic organizations.
