Photo by clare jensen
MARJORIE BASBALLE
When Marjorie Basballe gets an idea in her head – she runs with it. Her determination and focus has pushed her in the direction of success over the last two years, and she is not stopping anytime soon.
The Puyallup Tribal member has been a long-time employee of the Tribe, starting at the Bingo Palace at age 18.
Later, she worked in the Child Support office while starting her young family, and was slowly earning credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
After finishing her undergraduate studies, Marjorie Basballe decided to kick it up a notch – going full force into her master’s pursuits.
The single mother of three began working on her master’s degree in 2007 after switching job positions from Child Support to working with the Design and Construction Management Department.
The busy mother and full-time tribal employee was dedicated to her family, work and school and as she was approaching her graduation in spring of 2008, she decided to take on yet another challenge.
“During my graduate school studies I did gain weight and was not happy about it. When the Tribe introduced the Wellness Challenge, I decided it was time and like other projects or goals of mine, was determined to make the commitment and follow through,” she said.
“You sacrifice a lot while you’re in school – health being one of them. It was time to focus on me.”
So in order to get in shape, she started by first focusing on her nutrition and limiting her portion sizes. Then, she started adding gradual exercise. When the Wellness Challenge ended, she kept going.
A year later, Marjorie is 70 pounds closer to her fitness goal.
“I lost a significant amount those first few months, just with portion control,” she said.
She then took her fitness pursuits further by joining Curves, and then a traditional gym and got a personal trainer.
“It was a lot of work – and I was in the final stages of my master’s,” she laughed. “But I had a reason to start – so I went with it. And since other people were doing it too, there was a lot of support.”
Marjorie Basballe is still working out, eating right and hopes to lose another 20 pounds. She is participating in the Tribe’s Healthy Wellness Challenge again this year. She also has a goal to run the Rock and Roll Half-marathon in Seattle this June.
In spring of 2009, Marjorie Basballe graduated with her master’s degree in management from City University.
This spring, she will start up classes again to earn her second master’s in business administration, a course that ties closely with her management degree.
She credits the Tribe’s generous Higher Education Department with her success in furthering her education.
“The opportunities were available – I felt it was a waste not to pursue it,” she said. “I encourage membership to take advantage of the opportunities we have here at the Tribe including the Higher Education program and bring back that knowledge to contribute strengthening each other within our tribal community.
“I would share with anyone that has a goal that may even seem insurmountable or huge to select a starting point, a smaller goal and go for it. Then continue to take it smaller steps at a time, constantly evaluating your progress and being okay with setbacks is essential.”
