Hearing about all the people who have changed their lives with Les Mills is one of the best things about this job. There are so many success stories out there and I was lucky enough to meet the inspirational Cassi Bussick at the latest round of filming. In December 2003 Cassi, who is 5’5’’ tall, weighed 230 pounds (104 kgs). After dieting on and off for a couple of years, she joined Double Diamond Athletic club in Reno, Nevada and gave BODYPUMP™ a try. Cassi was hooked however two weeks into her new exercise regime, Cassi was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was removed in March 2006. This was the wake-up call she needed. Cassi got back into BODYPUMP™ and is now a fan of all LES MILLS™ Programs. She’s lost an amazing 100 pounds (about 46kgs) and is now a BODYPUMP™ instructor. Click here to read her story…
Cassi (pictured right) traveled to Auckland, NZ with fellow instructor Shalie Thorwaldson (who teaches all eight programs), to take part in the 1/2009 filming. Being in NZ was a dream come true for the pair who were thrilled to be invited on stage during the week to teach some BODYPUMP™ tracks with NZ instructor Susan Fowler. A number of other international instructors made the long trek to NZ and it’s just so awesome to have them there.
A big thank you also goes to our international presenters who contributed to the amazing energy of this fantastic round.
Taking to the stage for BODYATTACK™ was Program Director Lisa Osborne, Giles Bryant from the UK, Grant Goes from NZ and Sara Amorim from Portugal. Creative Director Emma Barry led the BODYBALANCE™ team featuring Dr David McKenzie, Corey Baird and Christelle Sollier – all from NZ – and Ann-See Yeoh from the UK. BODYCOMBAT™ Program Directors Dan and Rachael Cohen heated things up with Vanessa Livramento from Portugal and Toni Giannini from Brazil. Rachael Cohen also joined the BODYJAM™ team led by Program Director Gandalf Archer and featuring Philip Harrison from the UK, Mysti Taguba Oglesby from the USA and Ginny Crocker from NZ.
BODYVIVE™ celebrated their tenth release with Program Director Susan Trainor, NZ’s Maureen Baker, Pete Manuel from Australia and Susan Laney from the USA. RPM™ raced by with the powerful team of Program Director Glen Ostergaard, NZ’s Sarah Ostergaard and Australia’s Meg Chalker.
I must say – it’s good to be home and introduce everyone to Grace (who is already a natural on stage). It’s awesome to get back into the filming process and I was part of both the BODYPUMP™ and BODYSTEP™ Presenter teams. In BODYPUMP™ I was joined by Program Director Glen Ostergaard, Alexandre Veret from France, Alani ‘Storm’ Mala from Australia and Matt Thraxton from NZ. I took to the stage in BODYSTEP™ with Program Director Mark Nu’u, Lisa Osborne and NZ’s Sarah Robinson.
Susan Renata