Iconic

I have never really given the word “iconic” much thought…According to the dictionary someone is iconic when he or she is widely popular or famous…Two weeks ago our studio became one of the very, very, very first private studios in South Africa to become Pound® certified, when I completed the training course in Johannesburg.  But wait, before you want to stop reading, thinking that I would like to call myself iconic or something, hear me out…hear what got me thinking about iconic in the first place…☺

(For more than two years Virgin South Africa has had the sole mandate for this rocking drumming workout invented by the American fitness enthusiast, Kirsten Potenza, and now at last, we can join in the fun and make this cardio jam session officially part of our schedule!)

The 8-hour long day of training was exciting and exhausting, but definitely 100 percent worth the effort and time, and was presented by Pound® Icon, Carla Roberts, an energetic, passionate 27-year old Irish girl who truly embodies and represents everything Pound® stands for.  So, in the hierarchy of the Pound® structure I am now called a Pound® Pro, and when you level up you become what’s called a Pound® Icon…

An Icon…Throughout history we’ve been obsessed with iconic persons…Think of the beautiful Princess Diana, whose popularity remained undimmed as millions were inspired by her charisma and her natural sympathy with the poor and mistreated.  There’s Audrey Hepburn, with her elfin, angelic figure, one of the most iconic actresses of all time…The list is endless – Mother Theresa, Marie Curie, Eva Peron. Anne Frank, and Marilyn Monroe…But don’t forget to mention Freddy Mercury, the powerhouse voice and once-in-a-lifetime showman of the band Queen, who must surely be one of the world’s biggest pop icons of all time.   Although he died in 1991 at the age of 45, the Oscar-winning biographical movie about his life, Bohemian Rhapsody, grossed over $890 million worldwide – more than 28 years after his death!  Of course, we should note that all the above icons conquered the world without an army of followers on Instagram and without thousands of Twitter retweets…   

And yet, isn’t it ironic that Marilyn Monroe earned the status of an icon even after she was found dead in her apartment after an overdose of drugs…isn’t it wrong that we don’t talk about the fact that Mercury died of Aids, and isn’t it weird that Justin Bieber remains one of the most powerful celebrities in the world despite his bad manners and poor behaviour?

Doesn’t this say something about our society?  Today, with the pressure of social media, the idea of the “perfect life” is so glorified that people are satisfied as long as what’s on the outside looks neat and pretty.  Just think for a second – if you removed Kim Kardashian’s 132 million followers on Instagram, would she even still be famous?  Who decided that pencilled eyebrows and luscious lips made up an icon for millions to resemble after? And why does a renowned singer like Rihanna feel the need to stay the centre of attention by constantly posing as “the bad girl”?

…Last October I saw two women in a coffee shop looking at a magazine and I heard one exclaim: “All the greats have gone.”  They were gazing over a cover of People Magazine mourning the death of iconic actor, Burt Reynolds.  I know my grandmother used to say: “There’s nothing Burt can’t get past with a wink, a smile and a foot on the gas…”  But it got me thinking whether or not it is true – Have all the greats really gone?  And if not, who are our greats today?  The role of the icon appears to have shifted –but why?

Given the inflation of social media, the platforms people have as celebrities are huge, and never has there been a time where they have so much reach.  The constant documentation and following of people’s lives enable them to remain in this glorified bubble, long after the original catalyst for their fame has died out.  So maybe it`s not a matter of more stars dying, maybe it`s the fact that nowadays more people are famous! 

American singer Diana Ross once said: “Icon.  What is an icon?  When someone is iconic it means they have established a certain kind of legacy, and I think it comes with time…I don’t think you’re born an icon…”

I guess there isn’t a point to a pedestal if everyone can sit on it, right?  Wrong.  I think we have the power and the freedom to decide what is iconic.  Ed Sheeran’s Divide concert at the FNB stadium to me WAS iconic – I was there…everything from his on-stage presence, the high-definition quality of the production and the sound echoing through the arena was, in Ed’s words, perfect!  As was Lady Gaga’s performance of Shallow at the Oscar awards – iconic!

But, what’s iconic to me might be insignificant to you.  I just know one thing – we should start thinking differently about it.  Let’s start idolising real heroes, the ones that hold compassion for their neighbour, the ones that poses confidence and beauty in their actions, not their designer dresses.  Let’s idolise people that truly inspire us.  Instead of naming Diane Keaton with her weird hats and wardrobe iconic, let’s applaud people who rise above their circumstances, conquer their obstacles and inspire us with everyday small personal feats.

Last week we lost one of our most loyal and dedicated members to cancer.  Lilly was a proud member of our studio for as long as I can remember.  Although quiet and soft-spoken, she was an inspiration to all of us – always motivated, positive and enthusiastic.  So many young women have spoken up these last few days, telling me how much they have looked up to her.  You are an icon, Lilly, and you’ll be deeply missed…

…You don’t need training or certification to be an iconic man, woman, housewife, husband, mother, businesswoman, doctor, or fitness instructor.  We as instructors really have the power to make a person’s day better – when we honour and value each client`s decision to walk into our classes – sometimes 45 minutes is just the thing to put that extra pep in someone`s step… To become a Pound® Icon is not going to make me a better Pound® Pro instructor.  Experiencing that ripple effect as our Ripstix® hit the floor to me is more than enough, already – What I really, truly more than ever wish for, is to create positive ripples in our community, inspiring women around me to make small, lasting, better everyday choices, to stay positive, to be strong and to live passionately.

Iconic…?  Maybe it’s time we change the definition…

Yours in fitness

Mirna

082 779 0507

PS – our Winter Challenge starts 13 May – now THAT`S going to be an ICONIC 12 weeks. The early bird fee of R 280 expires 15 April …