Before moving to Italy in 2014, I taught sixteen classes a week at various 24-Hour Fitness gyms in Houston, Texas. For fifteen years, I did this. Often, I’d pick up classes for other instructors, which turned my usual daily three-class schedule into a four-or-five-class schedule. As fit as I was, after five hours of hardcore weight-lifting, Yoga, and Pilates, all I could do was stagger out to my car and power-nap before making the drive home. I was sore, bleary-eyed, delirious … and happy.
Every time I saw your beautiful self in class (with me facing you, you were always close to the left hand corner, wisely positioned next to the weight bin), my heart was happy. Always. You will always own real estate there.
I miss your classes and didn’t realize that for 2 years I was in mourning after you left. I would love it if you did YouTube workout videos. Fitness instructors are zooming their classes or training clients. One friend from Houston was in Italy for 2 year stint. When she returned, she still works out with her Italian trainer.
I hate that my absence caused you pain. You, especially, that I think so much of and adore. Truly, the only thing keeping me from doing videos (besides trying to get back in that kind of shape) are my shoulders, which are not longer operational at that level. Also, without people to work out with, the magic won’t be there. Videos are a shabby substitute for being able to talk to you directly. BUT…if I can get my shoulders straightened out, do them I will. With love.
I was composing all my old man, get off my lawn gripings about exercise in any context. In particular, I can't abide being the weakest, slowest, most easily exhausted person in the crowd, and I always am. But I recalled that there were times I was in a "group" setting. The first was the army, basic training. There was maybe one guy in a 50 (I hesitate to say "man", as we were all 18 or so) platoon in worse shape than me. Half or more had played football in high school. But we'd go out on these formation jogs -- full equipment including weapon, but-pack, steel pot (helmet) -- wearing field gear (boots, fatigues), and 1/2 -- 2/3's would drop out along the way. Mind you, this was So. Carolina during the summer time (July -- August).
But I never once fell out of formation. Not because I was faster, stronger, blah blah. But because, at that time, I was literally more afraid of failing than of dying.
The only other times I stuck to anything involving exercise (when I didn't have a drill sergeant screaming at me to get my shit worthless ass in gear) was fencing and riding horse. But I loved both of those activities, and only quit because they either no longer could be found where I was or I was skint broke and couldn't afford them anyway.
The army is no joke. I'm impressed that ANYONE survives that gruel. And you're so right about motive: we are all literally more afraid of failing than of dying. And that's exactly why group fitness works ;-)
I was one of the slackers in the back 😂, but really, I’m introverted & didn’t want to be noticed by anyone. I miss your classes so much 😭! I never missed your Tues/Thurs body pump at 24 Hour in Sugar Land! ❤️
SO WAS I! Every class I ever took, I was in the middle or in the back. It's safe there. Comfortable. And I miss you guys with ALL MY HEART. Thank you for trusting me with your time and energy. I never once took it for granted.
Most of your advice can be extrapolated to any form of instruction, and you're so right about the world needing good, competent, expressive, compassionate teachers. Thank you for being one, even if it's only Armchair Coach for my Mental Gymnastics Class.
What a wonderful two years I had in your class! I was in the Body Pump class on Westheimer. WHAT A JOY it was. I looked forward to going and worked my schedule around your classes!
I began as an overweight Nana who hadn't used a muscle in years to a strong thinner woman. It took a LOT to get there. I got there with lots of muscle aches, trips to the chiropractor, and visits to your recommended Acupuncturist, but with your encouragement and being an intelligent instructor, We did it. I had never felt so good in all my life! For the first time, I felt like muscles held up my body (instead of my skeleton). It was so difficult to think of you going off to pursue your dreams in Italy, but you deserved it so much. I put money in the kitty so you could go, and was selfishly sad for myself. I've not had any instructor as spot-on as you. You should have been paid triple (or more) than what you were making - you were the BEST that there is.
I'm sorry your shoulders are shot - I'd have paid real money to buy your videos. :)
There will NEVER be another Stacey in the front of the gym. Thank you for all you did for ALL of us!
You were a real gift to all of us, Stacey. Your classes were the highlight of my week.
Every time I saw your beautiful self in class (with me facing you, you were always close to the left hand corner, wisely positioned next to the weight bin), my heart was happy. Always. You will always own real estate there.
I miss your classes and didn’t realize that for 2 years I was in mourning after you left. I would love it if you did YouTube workout videos. Fitness instructors are zooming their classes or training clients. One friend from Houston was in Italy for 2 year stint. When she returned, she still works out with her Italian trainer.
I hate that my absence caused you pain. You, especially, that I think so much of and adore. Truly, the only thing keeping me from doing videos (besides trying to get back in that kind of shape) are my shoulders, which are not longer operational at that level. Also, without people to work out with, the magic won’t be there. Videos are a shabby substitute for being able to talk to you directly. BUT…if I can get my shoulders straightened out, do them I will. With love.
I'm exhausted after reading this.... :-)
BAHAHAHAHAHA! Me, too!
Truly loved your class and following you all over Houston to get my arse whooped!!!
You guys were THE power couple in the room, I promise you!
I was composing all my old man, get off my lawn gripings about exercise in any context. In particular, I can't abide being the weakest, slowest, most easily exhausted person in the crowd, and I always am. But I recalled that there were times I was in a "group" setting. The first was the army, basic training. There was maybe one guy in a 50 (I hesitate to say "man", as we were all 18 or so) platoon in worse shape than me. Half or more had played football in high school. But we'd go out on these formation jogs -- full equipment including weapon, but-pack, steel pot (helmet) -- wearing field gear (boots, fatigues), and 1/2 -- 2/3's would drop out along the way. Mind you, this was So. Carolina during the summer time (July -- August).
But I never once fell out of formation. Not because I was faster, stronger, blah blah. But because, at that time, I was literally more afraid of failing than of dying.
The only other times I stuck to anything involving exercise (when I didn't have a drill sergeant screaming at me to get my shit worthless ass in gear) was fencing and riding horse. But I loved both of those activities, and only quit because they either no longer could be found where I was or I was skint broke and couldn't afford them anyway.
The army is no joke. I'm impressed that ANYONE survives that gruel. And you're so right about motive: we are all literally more afraid of failing than of dying. And that's exactly why group fitness works ;-)
"I personally set the record for having the longest menstrual cycle in modern history."
-- Hmmmph. Well, that would clearly never have worked for me ...
BAHAHAHAHHA! The uterus TRIUMPHS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzeiRZyKFSY
I was one of the slackers in the back 😂, but really, I’m introverted & didn’t want to be noticed by anyone. I miss your classes so much 😭! I never missed your Tues/Thurs body pump at 24 Hour in Sugar Land! ❤️
Love following your adventures in Italy!
SO WAS I! Every class I ever took, I was in the middle or in the back. It's safe there. Comfortable. And I miss you guys with ALL MY HEART. Thank you for trusting me with your time and energy. I never once took it for granted.
Most of your advice can be extrapolated to any form of instruction, and you're so right about the world needing good, competent, expressive, compassionate teachers. Thank you for being one, even if it's only Armchair Coach for my Mental Gymnastics Class.
I LOVE your Mental Gymnastics Class!!!! Are you kidding? I pop popcorn, put up my feet, and enjoy the show ;-)
What a wonderful two years I had in your class! I was in the Body Pump class on Westheimer. WHAT A JOY it was. I looked forward to going and worked my schedule around your classes!
I began as an overweight Nana who hadn't used a muscle in years to a strong thinner woman. It took a LOT to get there. I got there with lots of muscle aches, trips to the chiropractor, and visits to your recommended Acupuncturist, but with your encouragement and being an intelligent instructor, We did it. I had never felt so good in all my life! For the first time, I felt like muscles held up my body (instead of my skeleton). It was so difficult to think of you going off to pursue your dreams in Italy, but you deserved it so much. I put money in the kitty so you could go, and was selfishly sad for myself. I've not had any instructor as spot-on as you. You should have been paid triple (or more) than what you were making - you were the BEST that there is.
I'm sorry your shoulders are shot - I'd have paid real money to buy your videos. :)
There will NEVER be another Stacey in the front of the gym. Thank you for all you did for ALL of us!