Page 82 - Demo

82 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || JULY 2015>>>FMM: You established the first pole fitness program in the U.S. %u2013Tell us how pole fitness is a great workout and what a typical class is like?SP: I opened my studio 16 years ago. There was only 1 other person in the US at that time with a legitimate pole fitness program, although there were some great programs in Canada, UK, and Australia. At that time I worked for the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and was really involved in aerobics and teacher training programs associated with that. What I believe makes a fitness program legitimate is 3rd party validation of that program, i.e. certification. Unfortunately at that time there was no established 3rd party validation of Pole Fitness Programs here in the U.S., so that is what I did. I worked tirelessly with my fitness mentors and created the first Pole Fitness teacher training program recognized and approved by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. This was a really proud time in my life and although my program at my studio has evolved well past just Pole Fitness classes, to offer everything from yoga to personal training, I still teach my Pole Fitness classes using those same established techniques. FMM: You are also a national seminar fitness presenter-Do you still get nervous when presenting? What do you do to prepare?SP: I am so incredibly passionate about fitness and nutrition. I am also very lucky to be offered regular opportunities to speak to people on both subjects. I don%u2019t get nervous because I know that if I can just impact one person and change their life then it was worth the journey. I also know if I prepare properly for the seminar, I will be successful. Most of the programs I present today are programs I have been presenting for years, such as Pole Teacher Training and Workshops, Nutrition Education, and/or Food Addiction. Those topics are just something that have become a part of my soul, so presenting on them is fun and so rewarding. FMM: What is your favorite workout to do, if you could only choose one?SP: Today I have really turned to Yoga. It fulfills so much inside me that I never thought was possible. First of all it is the only hour in my life nobody can talk to me, so I am left 100% alone. That makes it the only time in my life that is 100% about me. Second, it is a great workout when you find the right teacher. Third, it has brought me back from emotional despair so many times and that makes it the most valuable workout I%u2019ve ever done. Lastly, it fulfills my acrobatic needs with some of the arm balances that I now can%u2019t do because of some health limitations. It really has changed my life for the better. So much so that I am writing an e-book about it, so stay tuned for that. FMM: What is a healthy and creative lunch meal to cook and eat?SP: I am so incredibly passionate about nutrition, so I am really happy you asked this. My favorite lunch is my stuffed Portobello mushroom caps. I take ground bison, onions, mushrooms, and spinach and saut%u00e9 that in coconut oil. Then I stuff it in the mushroom cap and bake it. They are healthy yummy and easy to eat. FMM: Where does your inspiration come from?SP: I am inspired by the regular people I meet in the world. I am inspired by the mom that has 3 kids and still finds time to squeeze in a yoga class. I am inspired by my clients that are school teachers that are learning to teach %u201cThe Common Core%u201d for the first time and still make it in for a