Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a full time fitness instructor, Les Mills Regional Training Coordinator, and personal trainer. My leisure time is spent with my husband and two children. I love meeting up with my friends - we’ve all been together since school!
How did you get into group fitness?
I’ve always been a gym bunny since being heavily involved in athletics at school. I did a lot of conditioning classes and weightlifting in the gym and one day I was talked into doing a BODYPUMP™ class. My instructor blew me away with her energy and the fun, challenging environment she created. I knew I wanted to teach this programme immediately.
Explain a typical day for you, from sunrise to sunset?
I teach classes Monday to Friday. A typical day starts about 6.30am, prepping food for the evening and persuading my son to get out of bed!
My breakfast is always a protein shake - I don't like to eat a lot of food in the morning and I don't have time to sit and enjoy it. I try to do my own training in the morning before work. It gives me a kick start to the day and I'm buzzing and ready for my classes.
I usually teach two classes in the morning and one at lunchtime. Three days a week I teach evening classes. I’m really lucky to have a full combination of BODYPUMP, BODYATTACK™, BODYBALANCE™, CXWORX™ and LESMILLS GRIT™. The variety keeps me interested and allows my body to recover because I don’t do the same thing over and over every day.
Lunch is usually eaten on the run. I take my food with me, something like tuna salad or chicken and rice. Often I don't want to eat what I have prepared (do you ever do that?) so buy something else instead. At the moment I am obsessed with a salmon sushi box. I tend to eat the same thing for weeks at a time, then change to something else.
Afternoons are spent dealing with my Les Mills Regional Training Coordinator (RTC) role; contacting clubs and Instructors, organising masterclasses, or assessing DVDs for Instructor certifications.
I make time every day to watch a crime show - something like Criminal Minds. I love this type of TV and it has become a chill-out ritual.
How are you preparing for your BODYPUMP100 charity launch event on January 14th?
With my RTC role I am lucky enough to be involved in lots of BODYPUMP100 launches. I will only physically be doing one venue, but I am working with lots of local clubs to help them prepare a launch. We aim to create a truly memorable experience for their members and guests that will be a fitting tribute to this milestone release. I can’t believe it’s already 100 releases!!!
How was the filming BODYPUMP100 in New Zealand?
I couldn't believe my luck when I was asked to be part of the filming team in Auckland! It was very different from regular Les Mills filming events. There was such a buzz in the air - trainers, Instructors and participants from all over the world gathering to get involved with what is a truly EPIC release. Hearing the stories about what BODYPUMP means to people and the results they have achieved with the program was inspiring - I don't think Glen Ostergard (programme director) and Les Mills International could have asked for anything more.
Everyone had to present their track in front of Glen, Kylie Gates, Jackie Mills and Bryce Hastings. What a front row! The nerves definitely added to the excitement and everybody stepped up their game.
Filming night was a crazy experience on the stage, but very calm backstage. We filmed at night and later that evening we saw the unedited cut. I remember standing there watching it and being so proud of the UK team. I literally cannot wait for everyone to see this DVD. It’s a show stopper!
Do you have any advice for BODYPUMP Instructors looking to run an amazing launch event on January 14th?
Use the DVD for inspiration and start to think outside of the box! Do something you haven't done before for your launch. Everybody will want to get involved so maybe you can have different teams for different tracks. Practice with your team until your class is slick!
You will probably want to run a couple of classes on launch day, depending on the size of your studio/hall.
Think of a theme “100 people doing BODYPUMP100” or something to do with reaching the milestone of a century?
UK instructors can get involved with our competition: Raise £100 to be donated to Les Mills Fund for Children and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a trip to New Zealand to take part in filming. Take a look at the UK competition details here.
Make it something to remember. Get some real social media love going before, during and after class. The hashtag is #BODYPUMP100. Try live filming on Facebook or Snapchat. You could interview your members as they come out of class and make a short celebration video. Take photos of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! Can you tell I’ve been thinking about this?