... and there were a lot of them. I used to say "I hate to workout". I was active as a kid, but if it turned into hard work... I was OUT! I danced 6 days a week, did colorguard, swim team, track and more, but the second anyone mentioned a burpee or pushup... I went into shut down mode!
WHAT CHANGED!? Everything. Here is a look into my past and how I got here. Quick story... we moved to Sarver, built a perfect house in a perfect area, but what was not so perfect was me not knowing anyone and having an addiction to social media (ie. Farmville on Facebook had me by the balls 😳). I was in a bad place. Miserable in my life and couldn't stand my husband, kids (2 at the time), and I hated who I was. It was BAD. Spiraling downward each day. Hell, I even yelled at my kids when they asked me to make a sandwich for them, because I didn't want to get off the couch.
So... Long story short, I like to dance and I was playing online one day and saw that Zumba had a workshop coming up in Pittsburgh... and it was with Beto Perez... the CREATOR of Zumba. I was like, sure, I need to get out of the house for a weekend, so I signed up. I had NO intention of actually teaching it. But Beto's passion and intensity spoke to me. I left the 2 day workshop and HAD to find a place to teach. I went to the YMCA, who had posted an ad on Craigslist and LOVED IT! It was work! It took HOURS to get the choreography down and actually be able to teach a whole hour class... but I loved it and it didn't feel like work (THANK YOU BETO). It gave me purpose and helped me out of my spiraling depression I was in.
So after years of teaching Zumba and even starting local classes out of the firehall, I decided I wanted more. I went for my AFAA group fitness certification. THIS is when I started having appreciation for squats, lunges, burpees, pushups... all of which I kinda hated previously. I needed to be a model to my students. I learned that each person had to figure out what works for them. If you would have told me back then that I would be an INSANITY Instructor and LOVE it, I would have laughed in your face! But I am and I DO! If you would have told me that I would be a Beachbody Coach and crave more than my normal 12+ workouts per week (instructing) and start doing other workouts at home for FUN... I would have suggested having you committed for being batshit crazy. But I am and I DO!
Check out a recent PIYO video I made!
I also started RUNNING! WHAT!? I hated running too! But I challenged myself to a 5k, and have now done several and even started with Mud Runs! Good LORD... who IS this person that used to sit in the couch all day and put 0 effort into anything!? AND I have motivated my husband to get in shape too!! WIN. WIN!
Through the passion for dance, I have found a passion for fitness and a desire to help others. I started eating better because I learned that I needed to fuel my body properly in order to sustain the crazy schedule I have set myself. I love to help other people obtain their fitness goals... or even learn how to set them and figure out what works best for them. Being a fitness instructor and a Beachbody Coach has allowed me to help others in ways I have a hard time comprehending and I couldn't be more thankful for the relationships I have formed in doing so.
With all this craziness being said, if you're still reading... I ask that you find what works for you. Get motivated to make a change. Baby steps. Let ME help you make this happen. Things don't change over night...this all happened over about 5 years for me. But I would love to walk beside you in this journey and be there to support you. Do you have to come to class? NO... but you can! Do you have to be a Beachbody addict like some of us? NO... but you can! I want to hear your thoughts on fitness. Do you like it? Do you enjoy the feeling when its all over? Do you hate it like I used to? Have you even thought about it lately? Do you think you can improve? What can we do to get you to where you want to be? Your turn now... comment or respond on Facebook!
