On a whim, woman, who has overcome many health obstacles, decides to relocate in Fairfield

By NICOLE HESTER-WILLIAMS

Golden Triangle News Service

FAIRFIELD ? On a whim, after watching an Oprah show, and visiting a few websites, Leslie Harris-Johnston drove to Fairfield with her mother and two young sons.

?It was funny,? she laughed. ?I was just praying that I wasn?t making the biggest mistake of my life,? she said of her move from Jacksonville, Fla.

Now, nearly three years later, the 37-year-old expectant mother, runs Maharishi University of Management?s housing department, teaches Zumba four days a week, takes and sometimes teaches online college courses, all while raising two children and battling type II diabetes, thyroid disease, fibromyalgia and chronic asthma.

?It?s been a mind over matter thing,? Harris said. ?It?s difficult sometimes, but teaching Zumba actually helps.?

Craig Pearson, executive vice president of MUM called Harris-Johnston, ?a force of nature.?

?She?s amazingly well organized, personable and just a joy to be around,? Pearson said.

Harris-Johnston holds a Master of Arts degree in education from New York University. During her 10-year career as a Florida educator, she co-founded and ran a state-funded charter school.

?It started out as a charter high school, then later turned into a Christian school for kindergarten through 12th grade,? she said.

Harris said she used her organizational skills from teaching to help her keep the university?s housing department running smoothly.

?Since coming here, she has been a huge asset in both our housing office and the recreation center,? Pearson said, adding that her accomplishments before she came to the university were extraordinary.

Harris-Johnston met her husband, Raheem, after moving to Fairfield.

?Sometimes I pinch myself because I can?t believe it,? she said. ?I really found my soul mate.?

Once the couple discovered she was expecting, they were excited, but concerned about what it would mean for her health.

?I wanted to know what medications I could continue,? she said, adding that she was taking a total of five prescriptions.

?Raheem helps me with natural remedies, since I can?t take many of my usual prescriptions,? she said.

?Leslie is just amazing,? Raheem said. ?Seeing her do everything that she does is so motivating to me.?

Although Harris-Johnston?s pregnancy was considered ?high-risk,? from the start, recently her doctor advised her that she might be at risk for Trisomy-18, a chromosomal disorder that causes birth defects.

?They said I tested positive for a high chance of Trisomy 18. I had to wait a week before finding out the results. It was probably the longest week of my life,? she chuckled, adding that the final results revealed a healthy baby girl.

?My mother and my husband were such a support to me,? she said. ?My mom is such a rock for me; she?s always there.?

Harris-Johnston said despite her health concerns her doctor encouraged her to continue teaching Zumba.

?With Leslie?s classes you tone up and feel great,? said Julie Beaufort, one of Harris-Johnston?s Zumba students. ??There is never any pressure to try to keep up with the steps, just smile and keep moving,? Leslie says with a smile. ?There are no mistakes in Zumba ? only unexpected solos,? she reminds us,? Beaufort said, adding, ?It is the first exercise program that I have stuck with because I enjoy it and see the results.?