A day in the life of …

This one is long overdue …

I’ve written many blogs about fitness, discipline, and showing up … but never once have I dedicated a piece to the women who live it out, class after class, beat after beat.

And that feels like something worth correcting. Because the job description of a fitness instructor? It’s so much more than hearing “the big one” in the music, and cueing a squat on time. Anyone can count beats. Not everyone can carry a room.

The real work happens somewhere else entirely.

It happens in what I call the arena – where nerves, growth, mistakes, courage, and resilience all collide. Where you don’t get to rehearse life; you live it out loud, on a stage, in front of people, with the music on, and nowhere to hide.

And the truth is this: no instructor becomes great outside of that space. You evolve in it. You earn your confidence there. You find your voice there.

And that is why I am so incredibly proud of Jacqueline and Michelle. Over the past six years, I have watched them step into that “arena” that we call Mirna’s Aerobic Studio, again, and again – not always perfectly, but bravely. I have watched them grow, stretch, stumble, rise, and ultimately become the kind of instructors who don’t just lead workouts … they lead women with authority, they hold space with confidence, they command presence, earn trust, and change the energy every time they step into our studio.

I would like to dedicate this blog to them, so that they can remind themselves of how deeply appreciated they are, and how far they’ve come in strength, confidence, and expertise. They step onto that stage daily – punctual, accountable, prepared, and enthusiastic … even on days when their own tanks feel a little empty. …

And that is the real job of a fitness instructor: To bring energy when others have none left.  Jacqueline and Michelle have managed to create safe spaces for everyone to breathe. They turn moments of stress into moments of strength, and that ripples into homes, workplaces, and relationships. They help women find stability when the world feels shaky, and they carry the weight of others while quietly holding their own.

You know, being a fitness instructor looks glamorous from the outside. People see the strong body, the beautiful leggings, the broad smile with the confident voice behind the microphone. They see the 45-minutes on stage. What they don’t see are the hours before, and after, the early mornings, the sore muscles from teaching too many classes, and the planning of routines and playlists when everyone else is resting.

In the world of a fitness instructor the show must always go on, and putting on a happy face, even when you don’t feel like it, is part of the job description. When I look back on my many years as an aerobics instructor, I can recall times where I have cried on my way to the studio, and then, I had to quickly wipe away the tears, shrugged off the heavy feeling on my heart, and act like everything is all perfect and great and “Let’s freakin’ go!!”

Our members also don’t see the moments when an instructor wonders: “Am I still making a difference?”

And that’s why my two girls need a reminder – you may forget your moves sometimes, but our members never forget how you make them feel. You may think: “Today’s class wasn’t my best. I stumbled over my choreography. My energy felt low …” But somewhere in that room someone thought: “I needed this today.” Someone came in carrying stress, sadness, or self-doubt. And for 45-minutes, you helped them feel hopeful again. That is not small. That is powerful.

You help people become stronger. You help people believing in themselves again. And you help people find a place where they belong.

Being a consistent figure in people’s lives as they grow and evolve is a blessing! To me, and I’m sure to my two instructors too, there’s nothing more fulfilling knowing that we’ve helped someone feel stronger, get in a good workout, let go of stress, and reconnect with their own power. We get to make the world a healthier place, and that’s a huge privilege!

… The fitness industry has evolved in the past ten years. More than ever, I have come to realise, that to stay relevant, you have to be relevant. This means self-learning, being up to date with current fitness trends, and having a presence on social media.

Being in the industry has also taught me that fitness instructors have to be masters of multitasking. Remembering your class plan, giving good cues, being punctual, managing music and mics, counting reps, and watching clients’ form, you got to be a multitasking pro to succeed – you must be able to be present, focused, and adaptable. In 45-minutes, an instructor becomes coach, cheerleader, motivator, DJ, comedian, and sometimes therapist.

And then, of course, there’s the thinking-about-WHAT-to-say bit! We say, “Last one!” at least five times … and meaning it differently every time. We say, “just one more round” the way chefs say, “just a pinch of salt.” We tell members, “Listen to your body”, while completely ignoring our own. And we all use lines like: “You’ve got this!” “Embrace the discomfort!” “Core tight!” “Upper body tall!” “Breathe!” “It’s only 45 seconds!” “Same time tomorrow?”

… It’s one thing being an accomplished, professional fitness instructor. What makes Jacqueline and Michelle different, is their passion for our studio and all that it represents. Their connection to our studio runs deeper than schedules and sessions. It lives in their loyalty, their consistency, the unwavering way in which they show up, and their support that reaches far beyond the workout floor. They make our members feel seen, safe, and stronger.

… Jacqueline and Michelle, you are living proof that a fitness instructor is indeed never just an instructor. You are motivators, role models, sources of courage, and often lifelines. Thank you for being who you are and thank you, for doing what you do. You are the unmistakable voice that say: “You can do one more.” And sometimes, that one more rep becomes someone’s first step toward believing in themselves again.

There’s a reason you two felt called to lead. Not to be perfect, but to be real, and to remind others that they can be, too. I hope you’ll always remember that you are more than the number of people in your class. You are the light that fills our studio. And somewhere out there, someone’s life is better because you walked in the room.

… But this blog isn’t just about Jacqueline and Michelle.

It’s about anyone who has ever stood in their own arena – unsure, underprepared, and a little afraid… and showed up anyway.

It’s about growth that doesn’t happen behind the scenes, but right there in the open.
It’s about finding your voice when your confidence hasn’t quite caught up yet.
And it’s about becoming, not overnight – but over time.

So yes, I’m dedicating this to two incredible instructors…

But the story? The reminder?

That belongs to all of us.

Yours in fitness

Mirna
082 779 0507