Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

“It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.”

Click. Next. Click. Next. Track after track I sped through the songs on my mp3 player hoping to find something that would give me the motivation to keep on going. At this point, it felt like I had been on the elliptical machine for hours when in reality, it had only been 10 minutes. I tried everything to keep myself entertained while doing my cardio workout. This time, I told myself that I was committed to working out but thousands of songs and even music videos could not keep me from dreading my daily workout routine.

One Wednesday evening, I finally got fed up with the elliptical machine and that’s when my journey began. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was one of the first people to get in the Group X room for the TKB class at 24 Hour Fitness. I inched my way to the back, hoping no one would notice the new girl in class. The instructor asked if anyone was new in class, and of course, I didn’t raise my hand. Soon enough, the music started and boy was I in for a shock. Everyone, but myself, seemed to know exactly what a jab, a cross, a hook and a cut were. I was highly intimidated by the combination of moves and how well the people around me knew it but because of the energetic music, I stayed for the whole class and fell in love with the format. I was so excited for Wednesday nights to come around because I couldn’t wait to take class again. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that there are Turbo Kick all week long at different gyms as well.

I started taking classes in Irvine where I found an amazing instructor that instantly had me hooked and left me wanting more. As I got the hang of it, I found myself taking at least five classes a week. I was always ranting and raving about this new addiction of mine and my friends were intrigued by it. At this point, they kept telling me, “One day, you’re going to be an instructor… watch!” I would always respond with something along the lines of “Are you crazy? NEVER!” Never say never is an important lesson that, in this case, was a fun lesson to learn.

I enjoyed TKB so much that I started going to different gym locations just to be able to take the classes as much as I could. Attending as many classes as I was, I quickly learned that the students vary by class but each week, it’s mostly always the same people. Soon enough I made friends with some of the students and instructors which made attending class that much more fun. The instructors that knew me to be a regular in class seemed to love to pick on me to go harder, take it higher and get lower, but I didn’t mind the challenge at all.

Time passed as my weight continued to drop and my old friends were astounded by the changes they were seeing in me. I felt great, looked better and my energy was through the roof. The girl in the back row was long gone and from her hiding place emerged a front row Turbo Kick fanatic. I was not only in it, but I was definitely in it to win it.

Within less than a year, I gathered enough courage and was so inspired that I registered for the Turbo Kick instructor certification. At first, it wasn’t a big deal to me since I had no plans of teaching but after all the late practices and how much work I put into it, I wanted gold. I’m very fortunate that one of the instructors who became a really good friend of mine was more than glad to be my Turbo Kick mentor and show me the ropes. From finding the top of the phrase, knowing when to insert the cue, form for the four punches, four kicks and eventually, an actual practice at cueing sections, we covered it all. Regardless of the fact that she was my friend, practice was not a walk in the park since I didn’t really know proper form. “Get lower, keep your guard up, be louder, smile, insert your cue sooner, not soon enough, your guard is falling, point your toe before you do the roundhouse” were some of the things I constantly kept hearing at practice. As the days passed, I felt more confident due to what I learned and was ready for the test. It was the most grueling 10hrs of my life and I’ll never forget that experience. Through hard work and determination, I was able to achieve my gold ranking in Turbo Kick AND Hip Hop Hustle just one month after.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

My journey in Turbo Kick & the sudden love for Hip Hop Hustle really showed me that I’m able to achieve great things if I put my heart in it. I’ve gone through so many ups and downs through the year but I always found joy in coming to the classes. Being able to lose the weight, keeping it off and having fun through all of it through Turbo Kick is an amazing thing. I’ve learned so much and been so inspired with everyone’s success stories around me that my passion for these formats will never burn out. I have to admit though, the best part wasn’t losing the weight but gaining such wonderful friends. It has been an incredible journey and I’m only beginning. The shy girl in the back row is long gone and from her hiding place emerges a Turbo Kick & Hip Hop Hustle instructor. Never say never.