Les Mills Presenters: Off Script

Have you ever had a complete choreography blackout mid-track? If so, what's your go-to response?

Kaylah-Blayr Fitzsimons-Nu'u

Of course! It's just part of the game. You're human, it happens. I usually own it, make a joke out of it, and then get back on track as soon as I can.

Try not to freeze, though. Stay calm, and maybe close your eyes. I do this a lot!

Hamza Sorour

Absolutely! My first go-to response is to improvise. On the outside, I'm completely confident, while in the back of my head I'm thinking: "Damn, I've completely forgotten what comes next!"snip

My second go-to is to look at the members in the front row. Sometimes I'll joke: "What's the next move?" and they'll actually tell me! I make it sound like I'm testing them, but secretly, they're saving me!

Dannielle Lally

BODYJAM™ Instructors out there, this is way too real and happens way too often! Number one tool to keep in your pocket: step-touch it out!

Rachael Newsham

Recently, some tough brain fog has hit me in BODYJAM and LES MILLS DANCE™, where the gap in my knowledge appeared so late and lasted so long that I had to accept my fate live on stage.

It does happen during learning choreo also, which really, really annoys me as I know I know it, but the little elf sits on my shoulder asking: "Are ya sure though?" And before I know it, I'm standing there staring at the mirror, my office wall, the road, the desk, my feet, rewinding the video for the tenth time!

Prian Wong

I had a complete blackout while teaching BODYCOMBAT™ recently. My brain was like: "Sorry, we're closed today."

Normally people laugh, which is great because then I can pretend it was part of the entertainment.

Sometimes those mistakes actually make the class more fun. It reminds everyone that fitness isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up, moving together, and surviving the track together.

Have you ever taught straight after receiving bad news?

Bianca Ikinofo

Not necessarily bad news, but I have taught on days where I feel quite crappy. It's that moment where you don't feel like it, but after class you realize how much you needed it. You just needed that moment to turn your brain off.

Sebastian Jaramillo

Yes! The hardest time was two years ago at Les Mills LIVE Athens. My grandmother, who was like a mother to me and had battled cancer for years, was seriously ill in Colombia.

Just minutes before I went on stage for BODYCOMBAT, my mom messaged to say the doctors could do nothing more. I video-called my grandmother, who was heavily sedated. Miraculously, she opened her eyes.

I told her: "Grandma, I'm here. Don't worry, we'll all be okay. We'll look after Grandpa. You can rest."

She replied: “Thank you, son. I’ve finally achieved my dream. You’re traveling the world, doing what you love. We did it.”

Those words meant everything. Five minutes later, my mom messaged: "Your grandmother has passed away."

I stepped on stage overwhelmed with emotion, but I knew that class, and every BODYCOMBAT class since, would be dedicated to her.

Rachael Newsham

Ohhhhh yea. Cried backstage and then went on to film a class. Character-building stuff.

Dan Cohen

Yes, I have.

Teaching actually helped me stay grounded and stopped me from spiraling or panicking. Having something positive to focus on, along with the physical movement, helped settle me both mentally and emotionally.

Everyone responds differently, but for me, teaching provided a sense of normality and purpose at a time when I needed it most.

Prian Wong 

Yes, just before the Q1 2026 BODYBALANCE™ Masterclass workshop, my parents called to tell me my grandmother was critically ill. Part of me wanted to leave immediately, but I decided to stay due to my responsibility to my team. Sadly, my grandmother passed away after the workshop.

It was one of the hardest classes I've ever taught, but it reminded me how powerful teaching can be. That day, the music, movement, and people helped me hold myself together.

Being an Instructor doesn't mean always being strong or perfect. Sometimes you're carrying a lot inside, but you still show up with heart, and the class helps you through it.

Have you ever had to put on a brave face when teaching after only a few hours' sleep, feeling unwell, or managing an injury?

Kenshin Tani

Yes! I once taught a BODYCOMBAT event class just two weeks after being hit by a car and breaking my fibula.

I was standing there with my "Everything's totally fine!" face on while the X-ray showed my bone was still cleanly broken, almost like a piece of bamboo sliced with a sword!

Bas Hollander

Yes to all of the above. The worst thing: teaching with all of these in my 20s felt like a walk in the park. Now it's a lot tougher!

Kaylah-Blayr Fitzsimons-Nu'u

Heck yeah! I usually let the class know where I'm at (without giving too much information away). If I'm hungover, I make it fun and silly when I tell them. If I'm sad, I'll just let them know I'm not feeling 100%. That usually makes me feel better.

Lu Lunar

We've all taught a class on too little sleep or while feeling a bit hungover! But my biggest mistake was teaching for a year with a back injury.

The constant pain made it difficult to focus or connect with members. Sometimes teaching brought temporary relief, but my injury worsened, and I eventually needed surgery.

It taught me when to stop and look after myself. Sometimes slowing down helps you move forward faster, and rest is what you need to come back stronger.

Dannielle Lally

No sleep, yes. Sick, unfortunately no cover, so yes. Hungover, rusty, but rain or shine. Sometimes you've got to put that aside for the people who turn up because they could be going through the same, or worse. Sometimes you feel better after class; sometimes you cherish the fact that it's done and you can go back home and hobbit, lol.

Rachael Newsham

I remember presenting BODYCOMBAT at filming in the very early days and I had a chest infection. I didn't know it until Jackie saw me backstage and told me that's what it was and that I needed antibiotics. I just got up and taught anyway. I was running on fumes, but didn't we all in our twenties back in the early 2000s?

Summer Bradley

I taught a few classes in Hamburg with food poisoning. That was pretty rough! Another time I broke my toe but needed to teach LES MILLS PILATES™. I taught the class and then went to get an X-ray. Priorities, right?

Have you ever dreaded returning to teaching after a break because you felt you'd lost your fitness?

Kaylah-Blayr Fitzsimons-Nu'u

Yes, every time. After every holiday, every sickness, it's always the same feeling of nerves. I just let the class know and make a little "hehe" of it, then it might be the funny joke I carry through class and make a little fun of myself. I like to keep it real, as Rach Newshy says, haha.

Rachael Newsham

It's a hazard of the job. I know the whole room is gonna cruise through it, and I'm going to be slowly turning purple-red in front of them, making rapid-fire decisions in the moment about what to say, what to do, or preview. Oxygen calculations are a thing every Instructor knows about. We can count to eight, and we can count how many breaths we have left 😂

Thanh Phuong 

Of course! If I've only had a week off and then come back to teach BODYPUMP™, I can feel quite anxious, wondering if I'll have enough fitness to get through the whole class.

But somehow, once I step into the room, hear the music, and start working out with the members, that anxiety just disappears.

If you're teaching early the next day and you're invited to a party the night before, do you go and party hard, leave early, or skip it altogether?

Hamza Sorour

For me, I'd probably still go! We spend so much of our time teaching, working, training, and being responsible that it's important to also give yourself time to have fun, socialize, and enjoy life.

Rachael Newsham

I don't go. The days of doing both are long gone for me. I tell people: if you need me to leave the hotel at 6am, then I need to be done for the day and in my room by 8-ish, so I can a) prep for the next day's content, b) make sure all the right clothes are ready, and c) most importantly, get eight hours of sleep.

Siobhan Ozanne

I normally decline the invitation if I have a class the next morning. First of all, I want to spend some time preparing and reviewing the playlist for the class. Secondly, as an introvert, this is how I conserve my energy and stay focused. And thirdly, I can go to bed early so I can wake up feeling fresh and ready for the morning.

Dan Cohen

For me, an invitation is an opportunity to invest in relationships. Those connections are incredibly important and give life meaning and purpose.

If I'm teaching the next morning, I'll usually still go, but I'll be mindful of my responsibilities. I can enjoy great conversations and quality time without staying out late.

Over the years, I've learned it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can nurture relationships while honoring your commitments.

Have you ever had to turn someone away for arriving too late?

Bas Hollander

I have a strong opinion on this. I don't turn people away. There can be a thousand reasons why someone is late, but they still made the decision to come to my class. So I welcome them in. I ask them to warm up and jump in whenever they feel ready.

Dannielle Lally

Omg this is rogue. Do people do this? If someone turns up wanting to move, I love it and will always advocate movement. If we're three-quarters through a BODYJAM block, then good luck to you, kind human. May the chorey lords be on your side!

Siobhan Ozanne

I'm probably the worst Instructor in the world for saying this, but I don't actually care what time people arrive. I'm just grateful they made it. I never know what kind of day they had in the lead-up to coming.

What frustrates you most while teaching?

Bas Hollander

When the mic doesn't work. ARRRGHHH! It's happened to me sooooo many times, and every time I have to tell myself not to show my frustration to the participants (cuz they can't help it either). I also need to remind myself not to tackle the studio manager.

Summer Bradley

When my tights get pulled down in LES MILLS PILATES Roll Ups. If you know, you know.

Siobhan Ozanne

When one of my socks is sliding down in my shoe, or I have a wedgie... or my hair is falling out of my ponytail, or going in my mouth and eyes... or the A/C is turned on in the warm-up, haha!

Kenshin Tani

Slippery floors! Definitely not my friend when I'm teaching.

Rachael Newsham

Microphones. Microphones. Microphones. All day, every day, this is always going to be the culprit. A good mic setup is like a chef with good knives. They can do what they do best. Without them, it's basically being butchered.

Meno Thomas

Sweaty hugs after class. I'm not gonna lie, I love you, I really do. You're amazing. All my peeps out there who travel and come see me in my classes. But let's leave the sweaty hugs and just fist bump!

As we head into 2027…

Whilst teaching comes with its everyday challenges, it's those very challenges that keep us authentic, humble and connected to our members – the qualities that make a great Instructor!

And as we navigate the highs and lows, always remember your why.

So, how would you finish this sentence?

"I don't teach fitness to get attention. I teach fitness to..."