Leslie Kriewald
BodyFlow is intensely personal for me. I have a back injury that tends to get in the way of living my life, and BodyFlow helps me work out the kinks so that I can get on with living. BodyFlow allows me to do the things in life that I really want to do, like lose 50 pounds and get in shape. Without BodyFlow I could not do other Les Mills classes that have helped me in my journey to health. Without BodyFlow I would never have found the confidence and acceptance I had so wanted my whole overweight life and which I finally found during my training.
Stacie Reiger
All it took was one Body Step class to know I was instantly addicted. It is very hard to put into words the feelings and emotions I experience when I'm teaching this program. Every class is a like a mini-celebration. I can almost see the energy exude from all of my participants. From the very first time I put on the head set and taught just a quarter of the class, I knew I had found my calling. I have only grown as an instructor and see myself growing more as time goes on. Specifically, as a Body Step instructor, I have the opportunity to really make each class my own. Whether it's adding a little hip shake or making up my own lyrics, I completely take advantage of every moment to let loose and attempt to get smiles on some faces.
My favorite thing about Body Step is that it is the easiest program to really have fun with because the choreography is simple but incredibly effective. Sometimes I forget that I am working out, and I hope the people in my class feel the same. It so thrilling to know this is the class that led me into the Les Mills family, and I hope to be a part of it for many years to come. I can not get enough!
Katie Russell
We have all heard the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up" and until now, I've never had an answer. Growing up, I never enjoyed school, except for recess, sports, and dance of course! I always struggled in my classes and could never really focus on my studies. It affected my self-esteem and confidence. In school, being an aerobics instructor or personal trainer isn't encouraged as much as the usual doctor or lawyer, and I don't fit into those categories. Now that I'm with Les Mills, I'm happy to say, I've finally found my home.
Body Attack was my first Les Mills certification in January 2007. My fitness role model, Shaunna May, was my trainer. Unbeknownst to her, she has inspired me to set high goals not only within myself, but within the Les Mills family. My immediate goal is, of course, to win this contest and be an integral part of this quarterly. However, my long-term goal is to eventually be a Master Trainer for Body Attack. Being a part of this community has really opened my eyes to how far I've come and how hard I've worked to get to this place in my life. When I was in junior high, I suffered from Anorexia. It was a hard time because I was so young and I didn't even understand what was happening to me. Luckily, it was caught early and I received treatment. I've never had a set-back since, and to this day, I've never thought of going back to that place again. I know that a large part of my problem, and many other girls, was that I was misinformed about what being healthy meant. As I grew up, I learned more and more about what my body needed to be strong and healthy, and finally in college, it clicked. I started taking classes that I enjoyed and found my calling: fitness.
Every time I walk into one of my classes, no matter what mood I'm in, I always leave energized and happy. The energy you receive from being a Les Mills instructor is almost indescribable. I am so lucky to have this job because I can literally see the changes and effects the Les Mills classes have on my clients both physically and emotionally. I am able to see my clients experience the transformations I experienced. It's an unspoken bond that many probably don't even think about. I love being able to encourage and motivate others to live a healthy lifestyle. It is such a rewarding feeling when someone tells me how much stronger they are or how much weight they've lost or even how much stress they've relieved! I am so honored that I am acting as a positive role model for others and I take this position very seriously. It's my livelihood. I would have never thought that when I was in my anorexic days I would ever reach this goal, but I am proof that it can happen with the right mindset and determination.