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Fitness

made lifelong friends and experi- USS Midway Deck in San Diego. equally as important as Math and
enced wonderful opportunities that I Michele has always had a giving English classes!!”
will never forget.” Kirstie Alley asked heart, and it has shown in her will- With a special talent for making
Michele to come to her home a few ingness to work with groups such as exercising fun, Michele became a
times to dance with her and she was the “Love a Child Missions Homeless beloved instructor at every place she
also a dance instructor on her “Kirstie Recovery Shelter,” She was deeply has taught over the years. “I believe
Alleys Big Life” TV show. She also touched being a part of such a great that one size does not fit all, when it
effort to help those in need. “I taught comes to finding what motivates each
dance to these sweet mommas and of us to move. I have seen the Fitness
children. A very touching experience. Industry change over all these years
Watching the smiles as they heard the and there are many more exercise
music and lit up with joy and happi- options for people to choose from to-
ness as we all moved to the sounds, day. There IS something out there for
with very few material things, that did everyone, it is just up to everyone to
not stop their joy.... their happiness at find out what it is!! If we dread it, we
moving to music was something that won’t do it consistently.” For Michele,
brought me to tears.” it’s dance. “Nothing against treadmills,
With all of her years in the field but if I’m on one, I constantly look at
of fitness she has also been able to the clock! But if music is turned up
enjoy the wonders it does serving as and I have space to move on a floor,
a Fitness Model on UFIT Ultra Lean I don’t pay attention to time at all. In
DVD fitness videos with Exercise TV fact, an hour feels like 10 minutes!”
taught Zumba® Dance to the 6 partic- and KUSI Fitness expert Cindy Whit- Michele believes that fitness should
ipants who were on Oprah Winfrey’s marsh. Michele is currently on KUSI not feel like a dread, it needs to be
“Best Life Weight Loss Challenge” Good Morning San Diego on their fun. “You need to enjoy it. That’s why
with Bob Greene. weekly fitness segments. it works best to walk and move your
Now, after 35 years in the fitness One of Michele’s favorite dance body with friends. That way you hold
industry, her list of accomplishments memories was working with local each other accountable and you get to
is off the scale. Some of these in- high schools. “In the Bay Area it was socialize too!” Michele makes sure the
clude teaching Salsa and Zumba to an honor being asked to help judge a members who take her classes are not
the Young Presidents Organization local High School Dance competition just reaching their fitness goals but are
(YPO) at their special event, teaching and while living in Southern Califor- having fun along the way. THAT is
Zumba® for the American Heart As- nia it was a highlight choreographing the magic pill.
sociation “John Muir Go Red” annual for some Vista High School Musicals! To learn more about Michele
event for 4 years. She has also served Working with such talented teenagers or to schedule one of her signature
was a thrill for me. Watching them Dance Parties at your next event,
SOME TIPS TO GET YOU MOVING work hard at their craft, characters contact her at:
FROM MICHELE LAROCQUE and choreography and bring it to life
on stage, made me feel so proud!” Michele LaRocque
• Keep your body hydrated Michele feels like teenagers get a bad fitnessgrl80@gmail.com
• Find a friend or family member to be your rap. “I think that everyone just wants • ACE Certified Personal Trainer
workout buddy. Hold each other accountable. to be loved and feel loved. Everyone • Group Exercise
It will make you show up no matter what! has different stories, perhaps with • Corporate Wellness
• If you have a desk job, make it a habit to stand different experiences in life. Teenagers • Zumba® Fitness
while you are on the phone. Pacing is even are like a bag of jellybeans. Every-
better!
• For every hour you sit, stand for a minute. one’s a different color, or flavor, but Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/michele.
when they are up on stage together
Stretch, squat, dance, just do something! performing as a group, it’s a magical condielarocque
• Run and play with your kids. Get your heart experience to watch. I actually had Instagram
pumping and theirs too! one student say to me that Musical https://www.instagram.com/michele_fit-
• Take the dog for a brisk walk twice instead of Theater saved his life. I believe it, ness/
once a day!
because there are many who feel out LinkedIn
of place, people can be cruel, but with https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelela-
as a fitness instructor for 6 years at music and the freedom to perform rocque
the Ex4Vets Fundraiser Bootcamp! A and express, they have a place, they Zumba®
wonderful fundraiser for our disabled have a family. I am a huge advocate https://www.Zumba.com/en-US/profile/
and homeless Veterans held on the for Arts in the schools. It’s a subject michele-larocque/4351

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