How did you get interested in the fitness world?
I was introduced to the fitness world when I was about three years old and my mom would take me to aerobics class with her. I would sit on the side and watch everyone in their '80s legwarmer glory. Eventually I would follow along and I would do my own version of the class on the side of the room. When I was in high school, I wanted to get in shape so I started doing aerobics tapes at home and then did the classes at the gym.
What made you decide to be a fitness instructor?
Being a fitness instructor combines performing, dance, music and teaching, which are all things that I love. Also, taking fitness classes helped me to get in shape and improve my self-confidence and I wanted to be able to help other people do the same. I think people often think exercise is boring and I want to show people that exercise can actually be really fun and the time can go by very fast. I teach classes with new music all the time and we always do different exercises so it never gets boring.
You majored in philosophy in college. How has that helped you in your fitness endeavors?
The heady answer would have something to do with Plato, but actually philosophy is about why things are the way they are and how we can understand things. That mindset made me want to understand why exercise and the body work the way they do. I also had to do a lot of writing as a philosophy major and that was very helpful when I wrote my fitness book.
Were you interested in health and fitness in high school?
In high school I ran track and cross country and I would work out on my own in the off-season.
What keeps fitness interesting to you?
New music and my MP3 player are essential for me to keep my day-to-day workouts interesting. I also think of fitness as a creative process. There's always new equipment out there to try. It's important for me to keep changing my workouts. So I always try to design a new workout each time I go to the gym. I look at how much time I want to spend there and which part of my body I want to work on, and then I'll design a workout. Trying new classes or activities, and varying the duration of my workouts keeps things interesting.
How does exercise enhance people's lives?
Exercise is one of the most empowering things people can do for themselves and this is especially true for women and girls. A large part of exercise is about setting goals and working to achieve those goals. When you achieve the goals you set, you feel accomplished, which then increases your self-esteem. There are also a ton of health benefits such as feeling less stressed and having more energy. Plus exercise improves the way your body looks and feels and that gives you more self-confidence.
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