CHANGING THE WORLD
If you want to change the world, you have to start small but think BIG - which was the philosophy behind Les Mills when we first began in 1968!
Now, with millions of members supporting us, we’re dedicated to creating a fitter planet. We aim to help others around the globe by increasing awareness, fundraising and putting energy into important causes.
Here is a brief outline on some of our latest missions, and the projects we support.
Fighting Globesity
Fitness, health, and sustainability - they’re more connected than you may think. The term that Phillip Mills, co-founder of Les Mills International uses to describe their relationship is ‘globesity’. And he’s working towards counteracting it.
The longer explanation of globesity is centered on basic economic laws – it states that societies must choose where they allocate their resources, because they simply cannot cover it all. We don’t have the ability to deal with major ecological problems like global warming, as well as sustain a health system overburdened by inactivity and bad food habits. Bottom line: people have to learn to look after themselves so we have more resources free to tend to the environment.
The shorter explanation of globesity? Fit body first, fit planet next.
Les Mills gyms and fitness programs, attended in 80 countries around the world, aren’t the only ventures Phillip and his wife Dr Jackie Mills have created to counteract globesity. Their book “Fighting Globesity: A Practical Guide to Personal Health and Sustainability”, highlights how it is up to us as individuals to make healthy changes in our own lives, and consequently put the brakes on society’s continuing damage to our environment.
The book is also dedicated to highlighting enjoyable strategies for becoming active, plus dietary tactics for weight loss and health improvement. It’s all about how you can make a contribution to global sustainability in a fun way.
“Fighting Globesity” is a must-read. If you're in New Zealand, order it here. If you're located in the rest of the world, order it here.
Rooster Racing
Racing Rooster Racing is a global non-profit organization of passionate cyclists, and fitness enthusiasts who raise awareness and money for LIVESTRONG®, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Every year, the Rooster Racing team is involved in several charity bike rides across the globe, including the LIVESTRONG® Challenge series.
Led by former Les Mills RPM™ Program Director Dan McDonogh, the crew includes co-captains Jim Ray and Chris Cygul, plus many Les Mills RPM™ and BODYPUMP™ instructors. Put simply, their mission is to fundraise and spread the word about the fight against cancer, and Les Mills International is proud to be associated as a sponsor of this great cause.
For more information or to find out about the next charity bike ride, please visit the Rooster Racing website or LIVESTRONG® website, and check out the Rooster Racing Facebook page.
Dance 4 Life
dance4life is an international project that uses the language of music and dance to empower young people all around the world to push back the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Les Mills supports dance4life by inspiring clubs to fundraise for the dance4life cause. At the heart of this are our SH’BAM™ and BODYJAM™ classes – clubs around the world hold marathon SH’BAM™ and BODYJAM™ sessions where they get people along to dance, socialize and donate to the dance4life cause.
Everyone’s work around the globe culminates as one, when a powerful global dance event is organised every two years on the Saturday before World AIDS Day. United by one cause and connected via live satellite, young people involved dance together to inspire the world to make a change.
If you’re as inspired about dance4life as we are, find out more about the project now.
