First BodyPump Taping

I've been stressing over this moment ever since Alex told me he was going to help me tape. The thought of my mentor, the person I hold up on a pedestal when it comes to Les Mills and BodyPump, coming to watch ME, just freaked me out. I did have a little taste of it when I went to SF awhile ago and had to cue in front of him before my audition.  But as this was only my 7th class EVER teaching by myself, while I was feeling infinitely more comfortable in my own skin, I was SO nervous about him seeing me in that element. HIS element.

What was I so worried about? It wasn't AS bad as I thought it would be..........

The day started off with going to my classroom to look for my lost gym bag. I walked into the staff room because I figured if I did leave it, which I HIGHLY doubted, it would have been in there or the bathroom since I always stop off before I leave school. Not there. I went into my classroom, never believing that I would find it there because I remember telling myself out loud not to forget it since I needed it this weekend. I opened the door to my room........and literally yelled out loud when I saw it in the same spot that I always leave it!! Thank goodness! The relief I felt, even for the material things, was great.

I did end up going to Radio Shack to by a longer audio cable because the one I had purchased still didn't go all the way to where I stand in the class and I was tired of running back and forth to my iPod. It was only 5 feet or so but it takes time. Having it right next to me today made a difference.

Got to the gym, fiddled around, talked to some people, and once I got into the room and started to get set up was a little worried because Alex wasn't there yet to set up. Good thing though - the mic wasn't working, I had to get an extension cord for Alex because the only outlet was by the stereo (but he ended up not needing it anyway). Stephanie, thank goodness, set up my equipment for me which saved me. Finally got the mic working after changing the battery (and was happy to see the antennae fixed since it snapped off on Thursday night), Alex came in and set the tripod up in the back of the room (HOORAY!!!! I thought for SURE he was going to set it up 10 feet in front of me like I saw during Kristin's taping) That right there took away 85% of my anxiety. That and the fact that I had this image in my head of the camera being directly in front of me and Alex standing behind it, making funny faces at me as I taught!! Now that I think of it, though, I'll bet as some people left early, they walked right in front of the camera. That would not be good in the tape I end up submitting. But I'll let Alex figure that one out ;-)

Was literally shaking during the warmup. Saw Alex walk out by the doors and thought to myself "Oh great, he won't be actually watching me, he just left the camera to tape! YAY!" Uh-uh. He came and sat to my left on the floor against the mirrors. Just so I could see him out of the corner of my eye, and close enough that I could NOT make eye contact with him at all or I would literally LOSE IT. So I just did my best to scan the room and avoid looking at him! No offense taken I hope.

Overall, felt pretty good. Was one of the better classes. It's so cool to be able to see slight improvements with every class I teach. This was the 7th, and I notice that with each class, I become more confident, move faster, finish earlier.  I am connecting with new participants before and after class, am seeing improvements with current ones, and am getting a kick seeing my friends that are new to BP challenge themselves a bit more. I feel like I am beginning to make a difference. This is why I love doing this.

Class ended (and I am told that it seems like I kept within an hour - the real test is always on Thursdays with a class before and after) and Alex chatted with the old Gold's crew while I was cleaning up. It was great for them to see him and vice versa, and I loved being able to introduce him to my friends that have only heard me talk about him for so long. He wanted to keep me after and make me work on technique but my darling friend Steph said we were all going to go for coffee so we had to leave :-) thanks Pumpkin Spice - love ya!!!

I will write this here, so I don't forget. As Alex and I were driving to Starbucks, I asked him how bad I was. Now why I felt like I needed to ask it in that way I don't know.....still feeling a bit intimidated and even though I know I didn't blow it, I still felt insecure with my performance in the presence of Alex. There were a couple of chorey bloops and I know I wasn't perfect with technique. When he told me that I was overwhelmingly good, well, I just started crying. Drama Queen? Of course. Nothing less for me. I just couldn't believe he would phrase it like that. He said he would take a class from me. Huh? Really? I'm getting teary just writing it. He cannot know how much those words mean to me. Wow.

Heading to my favorite place.....Starbucks with Steph, Alex, Janet and Jeanett. It's hard to describe how much I enjoyed that time today. It was a blending of two worlds for me; my school life and my fitness life. I sat back and watched the interactions; there was never a moment when nothing was being said; constant chatter and no silence. Everyone got along so well. Conversations were serious, funny, animated, around school, Les Mills, BodyPump, dating, tattoos, piercings, kids, spouses, FaceBook, on and on. It was truly a perfect way to top off what I felt was a great class. To have three very important women in my life come together and hit it off with Alex, who has been instrumental in my fitness journey, made my heart sing and made me HAPPY. Yes, this sounds sappy. But these women all know, have all seen the transformation I have gone through and continue to go through with teaching BP, have heard me talk so much about this man who inspires me, supports me, pushes me and is honest almost to a fault - well, now, I think they get it. They understand why I go on and on about BP. And Alex. He's heard me talk about each of them, Steph as my running coach,who inspired and pushed me to complete my first 1/2 marathon. She was my "Alex" with running. Janet and Jeanett, my teacher friends and mentors who have seen me grow from a new teacher, to a seasoned one, and from a fat person to a fitness instructor. It was just really nice to blend my two worlds so seamlessly. Made my heart soar. They all hugged as they parted ways. Awwwwww.

Alex and I then went to eat a quick lunch at Chipotle and he was able to go over all the notes he took while sitting on the sidelines watching me. He told me that because I was good, he was going to really be nitpicky on all the small stuff. No problem for me - that's what I need. I am usually pretty good at taking feedback and applying it to improve my performance, whether it's in the classroom on the Group X room. Everything he commented on (well, ALMOST everything) I can apply immediately. Some of the biggest things: shoulder posture - I tend to hunch and roll forward. Need to work on shoulder flexibility. Weight selection - need to go higher. I know I can lift more, I have just been reluctant to lift more as I teach. I sweat like a piggy with what I am doing now. Lifting more? I'll need a bucket to sop up the sweat. Eww. I agree that I can lift more on certain tracks but some that he mentioned worry me a teeny bit. I'll get over it though. Plus.......on my toes for pushups and hovers. Sigh. That'll be a challenge. Oh, and I need to sip my water faster. OK. There's more but these are the big ones. It was nice to hear my cueing was good and I should try to remember what I did for the next taping. I have tried to script my cues, get through a few tracks and then give up. I find that because I have taken it for so long, it comes somewhat naturally what I need to say and cue and either I know it or I don't. So I didn't spend too much time on it and I was worried if it would be okay. Happy to know it was fine and I can concentrate on my own form, weights and how to correct the participants. It was also nice to have another set of eyes to be able to scan the room and let me know how the class was doing and give me help with how to help them.

Alex gave me a ride to the soccer field, where Franklin was with the kids as my Alex had a training session. Cassie said to me after he left, "Did Alex get a haircut on his beard?" So observant, my little monkey butt. She remembered he had more of a beard the last time she saw him or his picture but he had shaved it off a few days ago. That's my girl.

Other than spending the late afternoon at the laundromat doing laundry because of our broken washer......it was definitely a very good day and I feel satisfied that I am on the right path to becoming the kind of Les Mills instructor I want to be. Awesome.

Thank you Alex. Thank you to all my friends that came to class today and every class and support and encourage me and give me the feedback I want and need. Thank you to my family for your undying support.  I love you all. Muah.