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 The life of a Les Mills Program Director is certainly hectic and in the last couple of months, I’ve seen my fair share of the world! My travels started at the Can-Fit-Pro/Goodlife Convention in August with my partner in crime, Rach, and fellow Program Directors Glen Ostergaard, Lisa Osborne, Mark Nu’u, Susan Trainor and Jackie Mills. BODYPUMP™ and BODYCOMBAT™ were super sized with over 800 instructors in attendance. Poughkeepsie, New York, USA was the next stop. The US/Canada Trainers’ Summit was opened with the LES MILLS™ Haka and it was an honor to be the Kaiako (Leader) for the first time – it’s a great feeling bringing our LES MILLS™ culture to the world. Les Mills North East did a great job with the summit which was held at the largest Gold’s Gym in the world. We attempted to unofficially break the Guinness Book of Records for the most participants in a weight training class – 722 people rocked the house in BODYPUMP™ (see pic). It was truly a highlight of my trip teaching BODYPUMP™ and BODYCOMBAT™ to so many people! On the last night of the summit we were hosted by the USA Trainers on board an old steam ship. There were a few formalities such as the ‘Bloody Mary’ court session which of course wound up being an unforgettable evening (literally). With a bit of downtime we tasted good ol’ New York cuisine from the Hard Rock Café and liquid from the New York Gods – Budweiser – while girls did the “Sex in the City” thing and spent a lot of money. While Rach and Susan Trainor went to Phoenix, Arizona; Mark N, Lisa O, the IMTs Dr Dave, Steve and Susan Renata and I went to Super Saturday in Sweden. Super Saturday is Les Mills Nordic’s largest quarterly workshop with 900attendees. A big thanks to Petter from Sweden for looking after me until 4.30am and yes, I did get in the taxi at 6.30am! I continued on to my home country, the UK, to do Quarterly workshops – upskilling instructors and trainers – with Steve, Susan and Dr Dave. The UK team bought me a birthday cake and I spent precious time with my Mum and family. When I was in Sweden I was lucky to have them sing Happy Birthday in their native language, it was the funniest thing! I’m now back in Auckland getting BODYCOMBAT™ 39 ready for filming on November 3. Over and out – Dan
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 Share your favorite LES MILLS™ program with the world by posting the new widget on your social networking pages! As well as showcasing your favorite program, the easy-to-add widget also links to the LES MILLS™ class locator, Learn the Moves and all eight inspirational program videos. It includes a description of each program so all your mates can read about what LES MILLS™ offers AND includes some of the motivating images from the latest inspiring campaign. Putting the widget on your social networking pages is just so simple – five clicks and you’re done. It’s also available in FIVE different languages. Don’t hesitate – click on the image to improve your look today with Les Mills, the world’s leading group fitness programs! Turn It Up!
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Hi everyone!
We’ve just completed the 4/2008 round of filming and boy are the presenter teams looking hot. International presenters flew in from all over the world to enjoy two weeks of Auckland rain but the wet weather didn’t phase them as they were too busy with rehearsal after rehearsal. The hard work certainly paid off as filming went off! RPM™ 41 lead the charge last Wednesday with Glen Ostergaard, Dan McDonogh, Paulo Behr from Brazil and Amy Styles from NZ. Next up was BODYSTEP™ 74 lead by yours truly. I was joined by Lisa Osborne, NZ’s Sarah Robinson and Craig Duker, and Joella Hopkins from the US of A. Following our awesome performance (which has a special Christmas treat) was the BODYJAM™ 47 team lead by Gandalf Archer. G was jamming with Rachael Cohen and Åsa Fornander from Sweden. High VIVE™ for the BODYVIVE™ 9 team who followed, which again included me in the line-up. Also taking to the stage was Susan Trainor, Maureen Baker, Dr Dave McKenzie from NZ and Lynne Brick from the USA. The second round of filming took place on Monday and a totally awesome BODYPUMP™ 68 team showed us how it’s done. Glen Ostergaard was joined by Emma Barry, Carole Dobson from Canada, Fredrick Andersson from Sweden and Frank Heinemann from Germany. The BODYCOMBAT™ 38 team consisting of Dan and Rachael Cohen, Hernan Lopez, who now resides in NZ, and Justin Sanchez from the USA smashed participants with their boxing theme. They were followed by Lisa Osborne and her BODYATTACK™ 63 team of NZ’s Mark Sinclair, June Anderson and Grant Goes, Masato Karimata from Japan and Karen Russell from Australia. BODYBALANCE ™ 43 restored the calm and finished off another successful filming round with Jackie Mills, Dr Dave McKenzie from NZ, Rene Thrasher-Duch from Canada and Kylie Gates from Australia.
Again, special thanks to all the international presenters who made the long journey to Auckland and worked so so hard!
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Listen up! There’s a new LES MILLS™ Bodcast available right now for
your listening pleasure. And to make things super simple, we’ve created
a page on lesmills.com just for the Bodcasts – click here to check it out! You can even click through to iTunes and download these podcasts onto your MP3 player. Awesome huh?
In
the latest Bodcast we talk to Les Mills™ Trainer Matt Thraxton about
the benefits of a Personal Trainer and what to look for when selecting
one, Program Director Lisa Osbourne talks shiny leotards, jazzergetics
and why you should get into BODYATTACK™ and Les Mills Creative Director
Emma Barry fronts up in the Coaches Corner talking us through the
origins and benefits of yoga. You’ll also learn about how much water
you should be drinking and when, hear an inspirational story from our
online community and pick up some handy fitness facts.
This is
one of two podcasts we're working on. The other one (coming soon) is
for those of you who want to hear about what happens "on the inside"
with Program Directors, presenters and instructors from around the
world!
Again, your feedback is appreciated so click here
and let us know what you think – what did you like, what didn’t you
like, what would you like to hear more of. Be Loud and Heard!!!
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Kia ora everyone!
If you’re in Germany this August make sure you get along to my RPM™ class at the Soda-Club Fitness Festival in Bad Zwischenahn, North Germany on August 9!
I’ll be joining Germany’s very own Master Trainer Wolfgang Schmidtberg to present two masterclasses at the cycling event, which is billed as one of Europe’s largest.
Festival organiser Ralph Butzin is a total fan of Les Mills RPM™ and told me he couldn’t imagine holding a consumer health and fitness event without inviting Les Mills to take part.
“It’s important to provide consumers with innovations coming out of new world countries like New Zealand. After the incredible performance in 2007 we realised that Les Mills are the leaders in Group Fitness offering a great solution for indoor cycling. It’s great to have the RPM™ team back in the Pelaton,“ he said.
We’ll be going hard - backed by a sound system with 25,000 watt power, 120,000 watt lighting and of course the top 40 playlist. And we’re expecting a great turn-out - RPM™ is now available in almost 2000 locations throughout Europe, and over 250,000 people take an RPM™ class each week.
Forget Tour de France, this is THE place to be. For more information on how to register go to www.nfa-academy.de
Turn It Up!
Steve
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Hi to all my BODYVIVE™ trainer/instructor friends and to BODYVIVE™ fans everywhere.
I’m rapt to let you know I’ve been appointed BODYVIVE™ Program Director, with a clear brief to continue the growth and development of this great program.
I’ve been Head Choreographer since early 2007 and it’s great to see the number of clubs with BODYVIVE™ now heading for the 2000 mark. I’m looking forward to hitting that mark and bringing BODYVIVE to many, many more people in the years to come.
Huge thanks to Les Mills’ Training Director, Maureen Baker, who’s done a fantastic job as BODYVIVE™ Head Trainer. Maureen is now going to focus totally on her global training responsibilities, although remaining an international master trainer for BODYVIVE™.
Thanks, too, to the BODYVIVE™ creator and Creative Director, Emma Barry and the technical consultancy team of Bryce Hastings, Lynne Brick and Cedric Bryant. They will all continue to help me in my new role.
And thanks to all of you for your contribution to our success so far.
See you soon!
Susan
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Check out our awesome new video showing how Les Mills inspires people to get out and get fit!
It's got all the elements - fun shots of the Les Mills Tribe at Global Summit, filming of the new releases in Auckland and some great quotes from people at the heart of Les Mills who've been inspiring people to fitness for years. It's inspiration in numbers, without a doubt!
The new video has been entered in a competition on "How You Inspire Others to Wellness and Fitness". Have a look at the video, feel the Les Mills buzz and then place your vote if you agree that the Les Mills Life Changing Fitness Experiences are truly inspiring others.
We'd love your support on this one!
Kia Kaha
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Can you believe filming for 3/2008 is already under way? Seems like only yesterday the Global Summit team were doing their best to bring down the roof at Auckland’s Sky City!
Glen and Sarah Ostergaard, and Dan McDonogh got things rolling on Friday, recording RPM™40 in Les Mills Auckland’s awesome new purpose-built studio for the first time. Apparently the atmosphere was amped and it’s no wonder - it can hold an amazing 62 bikes (when there aren’t any cameras in the way!)
Over in Studio 1, Gandalf, Carla Fitzsimons and Chris Richardson funked it up for BODYJAM™46 while Lisa Osborne, Bevan James Eyles and Nathan Jones led the BODYATTACK™62 charge. BODYVIVE™08 had a huge turnout up front with Susan Trainor, Maureen Baker, Mark Nu’u, Pete Manual and Australia’s Dione Ware looking fine.
Can’t wait for Monday when BODYSTEP™73 , BODYPUMP™67, BODYBALANCE™42 and BODYCOMBAT™37 - featuring our favourite newly-weds Dan and Rachael Cohen - get their turn!
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 Some people are lucky enough to find someone who lights them up every day…
On March 8 2008 our family and close friends joined us on the edge of the world (literally) - on the west coast of the North Island, New Zealand - to share a very special day.
The sun shone and our hearts sang (my legs wobbled)!
Dan looked so beautiful and smart, standing there in his suit and tie, smiling back at me as my legs seemed to move of their own accord down to meet him! (I’ve experienced adrenaline before so many times but let me tell you, this was the crème de la crème of adrenaline. Grade A, make you move mountains kinda gear.)
Chris, our best man was by Dan's side. Little Jackson (Lisa O and Pita’s little boy) was our ‘little’ best man, and he carried the rings. Claire, our Maid of Honour, flew from the UK to be there too.
The day was perfect. This kind of high cannot be bought. We are blessed with it.
Arohanui
Mr & Mrs C.xx
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 I know – it’s been a while – but the wait is worth it! The new LES MILLS™ Bodcast is ready for downloading today and thanks to your feedback it’s a lean, mean, refined machine.
Now, we want people all over the world to get into group fitness and improve their lives – like you’ve done! So we decided to create a Bodcast that is beneficial not only for those of you who already reap the benefits of Les Mills’ program, but everyone who is interested in group fitness - or maybe needs that little push to give it a go.
Check it out! LES MILLS™ trainers from around the world share their diet and workout secrets, BODYVIVE™ Program Choreographer Susan Trainor talks about the newest addition to the Les Mills stable and Les Mills’ Technical Consultant physiotherapist Bryce Hastings discusses the latest research behind stretching – is it really that good for you? Interspersed with Fitness Facts, this Les Mills Bodcast will leave you wanting more. And guess what? You’re going to get more because we’re recording a new LES MILLS™ Bodcast every twelve weeks.
Again we’d love to hear what you think so have a listen and make sure you email your feedback and ideas to melanie@lesmills.com
Turn it up!
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 Hi Everyone
Just wanted to update you on some changes here in the RPM team.
As you’ve probably heard, I’m on the move to Les Mills West Coast in the United States where I’m taking up a new role as USA RPM™ Ambassador and Program Coach and continuing as an International Master Trainer.
The shift means my buddy and co-Program Director Glen Ostergaard will be taking over as sole RPM™ Program Director in New Zealand from now on.
I will still be keeping my hand in as International Master Trainer (IMT), representing Les Mills at major industry conventions and workshops and contributing to the RPM™ program team as a video presenter.
See you all west-side soon!
Dan
Live and Ride Strong
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 Fancy yourself as a wordsmith? One who can wax lyrical? Well then, have we got the competition for you!
The BODYJAM™ instructors out there will have seen the awesome rap G, Rach and Matteo used to introduce BODYJAM™ 44. We think it’s pretty cool but know you can come up with something equally as good – if not better – using theirs as your inspiration.
All you have to do is click here to download the beat, add some of your own lyrics and film it against the backdrop of your choice – at the beginning of your BODYJAM™ class would be perfect.
This is your way of introducing yourself and your class. You can use any of the lyrics from the Masterclass on the DVD – maybe the chorus is your way of tying it all together. Get creative and express what BODYJAM™ means to you and your members.
Transform your performance into an mpeg format and upload it today. Tell all your mates to vote for you and you could win an Apple iPod Touch.
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Wow - what a week! The 2008 Les Mills Global Summit was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, uniting the team as the Les Mills Tribe.
Another day of masterclass filming was kicked off with BODYPUMPTM 66. The presenting team - Glen Ostergaard, Susan Tolj, Emma Barry, Matt Thraxton (UK), Peggy Cleland (Canada) and Petter Ehrnvall (Sweden) - transformed the room.
Next up was BODYSTEPTM 72. Mark Nu'u took to the stage with his fast and furious team consisting of Lisa Osborne, Sarah Robinson (NZ), Brent McLemore (USA) and Olivier Klein (France).
BODYVIVETM 7 provided more smiles per mile with Susan Trainor, Maureen Baker, Dr David McKenzie, Mark Nu'u and Pete Manuel hitting the stage with a Love Boat theme.
The BODYJAMTM 45 team consisting of Gandalf Archer, Rachael Newsham, Kili Marti (USA), Fabien Lesch (France), Matteo Cerruti (Portugal) finished off an amazing filming experience in style with a seamless transition to a post filming party.
The delegates were treated to a beach day at the gorgeous Pakiri Beach on Tuesday indulging in the great Kiwi weather and trying their hands at surfing, horse riding, beach volleyball and cricket.
Wednesday it was back to work with agents, sales and trainer sessions. The Les Mills International team took to the stage showcasing an awesome new marketing campaign and plans for Les Mills moving forward.
The Grand Finale on Thursday night was a perfect end to a perfect week uniting the Les Mills Tribe - together we are changing the world!
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 Over 600 LES MILLS™ agents, sales staff and trainers from all over the world have traveled to Auckland, New Zealand – the birth place of Les Mills – for the 2008 Global Summit. And it is going off!
The summit was officially opened on Sunday February 10 by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark. It was a cultural celebration with a new LES MILLS™ haka revealed, the LES MILLS™ promo song Kotahitanga performed by its composer Hinewehi Mohi and the LES MILLS™ handshake (the hongi), shared by all.
After this spectacular event, the room at SKYCITY Convention Centre was transformed into an amazing racing track where 100 RPM™ trainers rode to the rhythm of RPM™ 39 set by their presenting team of Program Directors Dan McDonogh and Glen Ostergaard, International Master Trainer Pete Manual, Sarah Ostergaard (NZ), Chris Richardson (NZ) and Meg Chalker (Aust).
The BODYCOMBAT™ 36 presenting team consisting of Program Directors Dan Cohen and Rachael Newsham, Hernan Lopez (Mexico/Argentina), Thomas Cerboneschi (France), Oscar Fernandez (Spain) and Haruka Tamura (Japan) then took to the stage with a fusion of many of the world’s finest martial arts – karate, boxing, capoeira, kung fu, muay thai, taekwondo and kick boxing. And wait until you see their outfits!
BODYATTACK™ 61 brought the house down with a hugely energetic release by a world class team. Program Director Lisa Osborne was joined by Will Brereton (NZ/UK), Fabio Abrantes (Portugal), Bevan James Eyles (NZ), Kendall Kimball (USA), Mark Sinclair (NZ) and Robinson Kennedy (Brazil).
BODYBALANCE™ 41 finished off the first huge day of filming – providing the calm in the storm – so to speak! Program Director Jackie Mills was joined by Corey Baird (NZ), Dr David McKenzie (NZ), Kylie Gates (Australia) and Laurence Klares (France).
Turn It Up!
Click here for more pics...
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Ssup everybody! Hey I gotta tell you about this wicked new collaboration… Les Mills has joined forces with MTV (YEAH, MTV!!!!) with the result being a series of brand new BODYJAM™ inspired routines broadcast to viewers all over the Netherlands and the Flemish part of Belgium.
In December I flew to Amsterdam and recorded 15 two and a half minute sets. Until March 15, five of these are being broadcast every day on MTV in the Netherlands. Bad huh? The aim is to get people off their couches and into a club to try out more BODYJAM™!
The two weeks I spent in Amsterdam were full on but fully worth it – I spent a day auditioning a huge group of BODYJAM™ instructors, then picked the best to join me on screen. We had a day of rehearsal to get our stylez looking tight, then spent two days (in the freezing cold) filming. And when I say cold, how does minus five sound? In a crop top? Not me – the girls! But you get the picture.
The release of the Les Mills/MTV project coincides with the launching of www.lesmills.com/netherlands – the all new Netherlands website. Since the launch, a huge amount of traffic has been directed to the new site, guaranteeing massive exposure of your favourite dance class.
It’s awesome to be working with MTV as they represent some of the most important values of the BODYJAM™ experience: music, entertainment and inspiration.
Click here to see more pics!
G
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