Ep 01: Surviving 2020 in Group Fitness
Listen on…
How do you feel about 2020? Sad, angry, confused, scared? 2020 has, for many Group Fitness Instructors, turned our world upside down! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing PiYo format expert and Group Fitness legend Michele Park. Michele has been faced with two life shattering events in the past year - first the closure of Beachbody LIVE, and second, JUST as she was finding her feet again, COVID hit. Michele is incredibly open and honest about her personal journey and also provides some great practical tips on surviving 2020. This episode is incredibly inspirational and I’m confident it will leave you feeling positive about the future.
Plus - download the free guide mentioned in the show here:
Here’s a glance at this episode…
(2:05) Will: You have a choice. You can let the grief consume you and give up, or you can acknowledge it, give yourself time and work through it.
(4:00) How Michele got started, found her passion for fitness and became the PiYo Format Expert
(7:50) When Michele met and worked alongside Chalene Johnson at 24 Hour Fitness
(10:10) Chalene left 24 Hour Fitness to start her own company and asked Michele to join her
(11:21) Why PiYo didn’t get the same attention as Turbokick
(12:50) The moment Michele’s career direction changed forever and she become the PiYo Format Expert for Powder Blue Productions
(15:45) Chalene Johnson sold her company to Beachbody LIVE and Michele was ‘part of the package’
(17:30) In November of 2019 Beachbody LIVE suddenly announced it was shutting down. Michele shares the story of her experience when that happened
(20:25) How Michele handled not being able to tell her community of PiYo LIVE instructors initially and how she supported them once the news broke
(23:50) Michele talks about how she handled her emotions through the shutdown of Beachbody LIVE and her “stages of grief”
(25:15) I kept thinking to myself, “How can this big, huge group of people that have been teaching this forever -- how could they let that go away?”
(25:59) Michele went into planning and mentoring mode and her next plan to rebuild her path to re-launch her own thing
(27:48) Despite Michele’s plans, COVID-19 happened and how it was a blessing in disguise
(28:22) “I just had to realize that I am more than the brand.” Michele talks about how it was hard for her to take herself out of the PiYo brand and take space to find her own fitness identity
(34:45) Michele talks about her experience with transitioning to virtual, Facebook Live and then to Zoom with her classes. “As fitness instructors we have to be able to pivot.”
(41:15) Michele talks about the importance of treating her instructors well, building community and making mistakes along the way.
(46:00) Michele’s friend saves her recording and sells them online for $5. “Sometimes we’re not quite sure how to think outside of the box -- and right now, in this time, we have to think outside of the box.”
(46:40) What’s next for Michele?
(49:01) Michele gives instructors one piece of advice
(53:40) What to do if you’re ready to move forward...We have created a free guide for you!
MORE FROM MICHELE…
PARK STUDIOS Virtual GYM
We consider our online space a BOUTIQUE style gym! Everyone knows your name and our students are the priority! Over 20 plus classes a month (including but not limited to ...PiYo, boot camp, SH1FT & L1FT, kickboxing, yoga, HIIT, strength training, cycle etc) with an online library that houses hundreds of videos on DEMAND if catching things LIVE is a challenge.
https://www.parkstudios.club/learn-more
THE CHOREOGRAPHY CLUB
A one stop instructor shop. Multiple modality choreography blocks, instructor upskilling workshops and an amazing community! We want to make teaching your classes EASY so you can concentrate on creating a crazy cool environment for your students!
SOULfusion
A creative blend of yoga inspired FLOWS, short cardio bursts , balance sequences and strength training exercises all set to crazy FUN music. SOULfusion is all of your soulmate workouts wrapped into one!
Meet us on your MAT!
M3 • Movement | Music | Motivation
Sign up here to be the 1st to know when Michele OPENs the CLUB and launches the PROGRAM!
https://michelepark.com/updates/
Links mentioned in this episode:
Will’s Facebook, Instagram and Email Address
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