Step by Step: Climbing Mountains for Heart Health

by Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer

Photo contributed by Victoria Laguardia.

Victoria Laguardia is no stranger to challenges—whether it's guiding patients through neuro rehabilitation, leading high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, or scaling some of the highest peaks in North America. The dedicated speech pathologist and fitness enthusiast has spent more than two decades helping individuals regain their voices and mobility, all while pushing her own limits in the mountains.

Laguardia’s love for adventure started early, skiing with friends in her native West Virginia and later discovering rock climbing in college. These early experiences ignited a passion for endurance and physical challenges, which she has carried throughout her life.

This May, Laguardia is set to conquer her next adventure: summiting Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower United States at 14,505 feet. But for Laguardia, it’s more than just a climb—it’s a mission to raise awareness for heart disease prevention, a cause that’s both personal and professionally significant.

Laguardia, who has lived in Reston for 15-plus years, holds degrees in Speech and Language Pathology from West Virginia University, along with a Certificate in Gerontology and Early Intervention Certification. As a speech pathologist at Virginian Rehabilitation & Wellness, Inc., she specializes in outpatient neurorehabilitation, treating patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, and heart disease-related conditions. In addition, she is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT LOUD), a passion inspired by witnessing her own mother’s battle with multiple sclerosis while working to preserve her voice.

Beyond her work in rehabilitation, Laguardia has been a HIIT instructor at Reston Lifetime Fitness for eight years, helping others strengthen their bodies and improve cardiovascular health. She believes that movement is medicine and that the best way to prevent heart disease—the number one killer in the U.S.—is through small, consistent lifestyle changes.

Every year, Laguardia takes on a high-altitude endurance challenge to fundraise for the American Heart Association. Her journey through the peaks has included Mount Shasta (14,179 feet, California), Mount Rainier (14,417 feet, Washington), and even Denali in Alaska (18,000 feet). With each step, she reminds herself—and those she trains—that preventing heart disease is just like climbing a mountain: “One step at a time.”

This year, Laguardia is inviting the Reston community to be a part of her mission to summit Mt. Whitney by joining her in a local event designed to raise awareness and support. The Walk Off Heart Disease will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 27 in the Lifetime Fitness parking lot (on the right side of the building at 1755 Business Centre Drive, Reston) and proceed to walk a three-mile loop around Lake Fairfax, followed by stretching, flexibility exercises, and an exchange of motivating stories. A minimum donation of $10 is suggested, with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association.

The walk is open to all fitness levels, emphasizing community, health, and encouragement. “We will walk, stretch, and motivate one another to prevent heart disease the same way we climb mountains…one step at a time,” Laguardia said.

One of Laguardia’s key messages is the importance of monitoring cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart health rather than focusing solely on weight. Through her work, she sees firsthand how proactive healthcare and an active lifestyle can make a difference. Whether it’s through speech therapy, fitness training, or mountaineering, she is committed to helping others take control of their health and push their limits.

So, lace up your sneakers, take that first step, and join Victoria Laguardia in making a difference—one heartbeat, one mile, and one mountain at a time. For more information, reach out to her at victoriaslp@yahoo.com.