In 1999, while working at a preschool, I was invited to join a group of teachers and parents to workout with an exercise video. That video turned out to be a Tae Bo® workout. I loved the variety and energy that Tae Bo® had to offer. Eventually, I purchased the original Advanced Live tape and would workout with it. As life often does, mine took lots of twists and turns and that tape sat on the shelf gathering dust for several years. In 2004, I began to have some health issues and the doctor wanted to put me on medication for high cholesterol. At that time I was 25 pounds overweight and not exercising at all. The doctor and I came to an agreement that he would give me 90 days to lower my cholesterol with diet and exercise. If it was not significantly lower then he wanted me to start the medication. The only exercise that interested me was Tae Bo® so I dusted off Advanced Live and started to work. Ninety days later the doctor was surprised and pleased to see my cholesterol within normal limits. I worked out 5-7 days a week. The more I did the more I wanted to do. One day during the Advanced Live tape I was listening to Billy and I stopped and looked at the television and thought to myself, “I really want to teach this to other people”. That was before I knew anything about the WTC or the web club. Shortly, after this my mother-in-law told me about the Boot Camp videos so I ordered them. I joined the web club and met so many great people that I now consider family. A fire was lit under several of us to attend Certification Camp in July 2006 as a group. I knew I had to be there. I was blessed to spend my 51st birthday with Billy Blanks and many of my Tae Bo® brothers and sisters at that camp. I am so blessed to be a Certified Tae Bo® Instructor. Today, I am healthier and more fit that I have ever been, but what I hold even more dear are the changes that have occurred on the inside. Tae Bo® helped me tap into a strength that I was not aware I had. With that strength and the knowledge Billy has given me I am able to teach and touch other women.
My husband, Matt and I have been together 19 years. We have a 13 year old son, Gerrit, that I home school. He comes to my classes with me and helps set-up. My goal is to get him out there exercising with the class. Matt is a propmaker and is looking forward to retiring in the near future. I am grateful for the support that they have both given me on my Tae Bo® journey.
