From couch potato to group fitness instructor

During secondary school, I was the girl that always had some kind of reason not to participate in gym class. Always picked last when teams were made. I hated every kind of physical activity other than sitting on the couch munching on chocolate cookies.

However, at some point, my mom got a book about Pilates (thanks mom :D ). I became curious, because I also wanted that gorgeous body that was pictured on the cover. So I tried the exercises described in the book, and after some time, I bought a few at-home-workout DVD’s. Slowly I got really into it because I felt stronger, leaner and my lower back pain disappeared.

Between secondary school and university, I had a rough year. During that year, I decided to get a gym membership because I had a lot of free time. And then, I discovered Les Mills BodyCombat by accident. Gawd, I still remember my shock and fear as the extremely tough looking BodyCombat instructors stood before me, in stead of my pretty and always joyful Zumba teacher. Then it hit me - I was an hour too early. I forgot to change the clock to winter time. I completely panicked, but before I realized what was happening, the class already started.

It was the best damn thing that could happen to me at the time. After that one class I was hooked. All my frustrations and pain I put in group fitness, especially in BodyCombat and Pilates.

That was almost four years ago. For me, ‘fitness’ is not just about having a smashing body with rock hard abs. Those group fitness classes were like therapy to me.

Now I want to do the same thing back. I want to make people feel better about themselves, and yes, also about their bodies. That’s why two years ago I decided to teach Pilates.

But my true 'fitness love' has to be BodyCombat. BodyCombat means so much to me, it has helped me through that rough time. For a long period, I didn’t feel secure enough to teach BodyCombat; what if I was so bad I would ruin it? But I wanted people to experience BodyCombat the way I experience it.

Since two months, I also teach BodyCombat and damn, it feels good. I feel so alive during BodyCombat classes! I'm growing as a person every class I teach.

I'm a group fitness instructor because I want to keep growing, but most of all, I want to inspire people to become the best version of themselves; not just physically. There's nothing more rewarding than putting a smile on someone's face :)