JULY SH1FT STAR: Reneé Parham

Meet this month's SH1FT STAR, Reneé Parham, a SH1FT Fitness Instructor who has persevered through multiple setbacks and in fact, uses them as motivation to serve her class members even better! Keep reading to hear more about Reneé, her journey into teaching Group Fitness classes, what diversity in fitness means to her, and more!

Without further ado, meet Reneé:

1. Tell us about yourself: 

My name is Reneé and I've been a Group Fitness Instructor since 2012. I started out a nervous, out of shape gym member who hid in the back row. When I found a program that kept me coming back regularly, I started to find my long lost confidence. My Instructor noticed that and started using me as her demo student. Then she dropped the bomb on me that she saw me being a Group Fitness Instructor. I was not expecting that. That lit a fire in me to join a weightloss challenge and I won 1st place in the Women's Division. There was no stopping me after that. Even with my ongoing battle with Fibromyalgia, I was determined to show and help others know what they were capable of doing and educating as many as I could.

Growing up in a low-income family meant we were not as educated on the benefits of fitness, or healthier food options, and lacked access to a gym or health club. The things I wish I had known as a teen that would've helped me as an adult were what I wanted to share with everyone I could, regardless of income or background.

I LOVE teaching to families, and seeing parents and kids workout together. It lights up my heart. As a Mom of two, I've always wanted to be the Mom who could keep up with her kids and not the Mom on the couch watching and wishing to be more active.

My favorite color is purple. I've been married 19 years. One of my favorite things to say is "Don't forget to smile." Or "Smile". "Don't Forget to Smile" was one of my original business taglines, because I always told my Squad to smile.

Teaching Online has brought me closer to my Squad than teaching in a gym setting and I actually love it more than I expected.

I LOVE music, Polynesian Dancing, and just did my 1st Tree Park & Zip Line Adventure with my kids and totally kept up with them…and even did a little more!

2. Where/how do you teach?

Since August of 2020, I've been teaching through my online business - RSVP4Health. My classes are currently all online through Zoom with an option for on-demand class recordings.

3. What’s your favourite SH1FT workout?

This was tough. I'd have to narrow it down to L1FT Chairleader and M1ND Step.

4. What's your favourite thing about SH1FT?

The versatility. There are so many ways to combine portions of different releases to create a totally unique workout. The freedom that we have as SH1FT Instructors to customize our classes to our Squad while still using the innovative moves and themes that SH1FT presents is amazing. Plus, the workouts are a beautiful blend of creativity and butt-kicking moves.

5. What does 'fitness for life' mean to you?

For me 'fitness for life' means staying mobile, challenged, and continuing to improve or maintain our body’s abilities for as long as we have the gift of life.

6. How has SH1FT improved your life and teaching?

As someone who suffers from Fibromyalgia, SH1FT has given me a way to keep incorporating HIIT in smart, effective, challenging ways that are fun and functional, while at the same time caring for my need to stretch, practice balance, and improve joint mobility. It also lets me keep up with my teenagers.

As an Instructor, it allows me to bring the same benefits to my Squad, while being precise about timing and expectations, instead of spending so much time memorizing choreography. It also gives SO many options to those who have no or limited equipment available, which was quite a challenge in 2020 when we all needed to be working out, but had limited equipment available.

7. What does diversity mean to you, and why is it important in fitness?

Diversity in fitness is so important because diversity means variety and this creates availability. This is key to staying fit for life. We need to see our Squad for their individual abilities. It means not judging someone based on how they look, or what they may be able to do compared to someone else. It honors and supports a positive environment that we can all thrive in to experience results and benefits for everyday life and the fun, challenging moments. And it keeps us from getting bored with our workouts so we stay active.