Sandra Eichner

• City / Country: The Hague, Netherlands
• Day job: Program and Change Manager
• Les Mills programs: BODYPUMP™, LES MILLS GRIT™, and BODYPUMP HEAVY™
• Club: Hardy’s in Greifenberg, Germany

"Sometimes your strongest chapter starts exactly when you think it's already too late."

I work in PR and event management, supporting artists, brands, and companies in building visibility, emotional connection, and presence. Over the years, I've worked with artists like Kontra K and Xatar, as well as festivals such as Rave On Snow and Taubertal Festival. Most of the time, I'm the person behind the scenes. However, at night, that role completely flips.

That shift came through Les Mills. At work, I help others own the stage. In class, I have to own it myself. I have to bring the energy and truly lead the room. There's nowhere to hide behind strategy or concepts.

My goal in both worlds is the same: to help people feel stronger and more confident, whether that's helping a brand find its voice, or helping someone leave class feeling more empowered than when they arrived.

Before my 40s, I mainly trained on circuit machines, but I felt stuck physically and mentally, and I struggled with motivation and boredom.

Then I discovered BODYPUMP. I suddenly experienced how motivating, structured, and empowering strength training could be. It completely changed my relationship with fitness, my energy levels, and my confidence.

Today, at almost 47-years-old, I'm in the best physical shape of my life.

What matters most to me now is encouraging women, especially those who may feel intimidated, to start strength training without fear or hesitation. I want to show that it's never too late to become stronger, healthier, and more confident.

Emily Cleaveland (AKA The Dahlia Lady)

• City / Country: Springfield, New Hampshire, USA
• Day job: Dahlia flower grower
• Les Mills programs: BODYCOMBAT™ and BODYPUMP
• Club: River Valley Club

"That's when the confident, upbeat Les Mills Instructor in me takes over."

A day in the life of The Dahlia Lady varies tremendously with the season. In spring, the pressure is on to get the tubers in the ground so the plants have enough time to flower. Summer is for weeding and watering, fall is for picking and arranging, the best part. December and January are for recovery and dreaming about next year's garden. It's more than a full-time job, but I wouldn't dream of giving up my part-time gig teaching Les Mills classes!

I often hear, "Oh! You have my dream retirement job." I just smile. People romanticize flower farming, and that's good for business, but the idea that this could be a retirement job? I'm 56, and I hope I have a few more years in me, with the help of BODYPUMP. It keeps me fit, strong, and mentally sharp.

It also helps sharpen my people skills. After all, you never know if the bride who seemed so laid-back when you discussed color schemes is suddenly going to go full Bridezilla and insist the flowers that were the perfect shade of "Nantucket Red" last week are now far too bright a "coral red" (true story). That's when the confident, upbeat Les Mills Instructor in me takes over. I roll with the punches, solve the problems I can, and keep moving forward.

Or there are the days you arrive at the wedding venue to find the bride in tears after everything that could go wrong has. Then she sees the flowers in the back of your van and starts crying all over again. Thankfully, this time it's because they're exactly what she imagined. 

Then there are the moments that make it all worthwhile: the next release's music blasting through the Bluetooth speakers in the barn, the creative juices flowing, and bouquet after bouquet coming together, with colors that sing like Marlon dances.

And the best part? Bringing bouquets to delighted class members who love spotting their favorite fitness Instructor at the farmers' market, out of workout clothes and dressed instead in full flower-farmer splendor.

Pablo Caramés Méndez

• City / Country: Leeds, UK
• Day job: Associate Principal Scientist
• Les Mills programs: BODYJAM™, LES MILLS DANCE™, LES MILLS SHAPES™, LES MILLS PILATES™, BODYCOMBAT, BODYPUMP, and BODYBALANCE™
• Clubs: The Village North Leeds and The Edge

"Breaking through the 'I'm not a dancer' mindset was a real challenge!"

The first reaction I get is usually: "You don't look like a scientist." My brain needs a jump-start every time. What does a scientist even look like? I smile and explain I design molecules on a computer, then synthesize and analyze them before they go off for testing. It sounds dry, right? The beauty of my work lies in its purpose: preventing life-threatening bleeding in critical situations, from postpartum hemorrhage to traumatic injury.

My mornings are simple: breakfast, coffee, and catching up with friends and family back in Spain. Then it's off to work, and I genuinely love what I do. A daily highlight is heading out with the research team for a coffee and a sweet treat. Then it's game time. We unleash the beast in the studio, unless it's LES MILLS PILATES, BODYBALANCE, or LES MILLS SHAPES, of course!

I discovered Les Mills during my PhD, originally to support my mental health. I knew nothing about teaching, but with dedication, training, and plenty of self-learning, I made it happen. BODYJAM was my first Program, and breaking through the "I'm not a dancer" mindset was a real challenge!

Being a Les Mills Instructor has shaped my career in three big ways: public-speaking confidence, audience engagement, and adaptability, because science doesn't always go the way you want it to!

How do I keep balance? It's not always easy, but I stay realistic about what I can take on. Having a mental checklist and a focus on the "right here, right now" helps me keep track of my goals. Every participant is unique, with their own story, struggles, and reasons for showing up. Being with them for one or two hours each day is a privilege, as we lift each other up, support each other, and, best of all, celebrate the wins.

Already teaching and want to add some variety like Pablo?

Adding another Les Mills program is a great way to unlock new teaching opportunities, grow your earning potential, and keep your weekly routine fresh. If you are ready to grow, explore the full range of Les Mills programs to find your next challenge.

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Aaron Canlas

• City / Country: London and Berkshire, United Kingdom
• Day job: Lawyer, Partner
• Les Mills programs: BODYCOMBAT
• Clubs: Braywick Leisure Centre and Windsor Leisure Centre

"Becoming an Instructor has been one of the most rewarding things I've done."

I start my day early, usually up at 5/5:30am and in the gym by 6:30am for training, including teaching my BODYCOMBAT class.

By 9am, I'm in the office working in UK corporate immigration. No two days are the same, from supporting colleagues on cases, to advising clients on the best immigration routes.

One case that stayed with me was helping a CEO relocate to the UK to bring a new cancer treatment into the NHS. The process was complex but successful, and years later, seeing that treatment in the news being used to save lives was incredibly rewarding.

Back in 2015, I was about 30kg heavier and hadn't trained in martial arts for a few years. My girlfriend could see the impact that the weight and stress of a new job were having on me, so she convinced me to try a BODYCOMBAT class. I loved it straight away!

I gradually lost weight, and it even got me back into Sanda training again (a Chinese full-contact combat sport developed from traditional Chinese martial arts and modern military combat training.) using BODYCOMBAT to build sport-specific cardio and endurance. In 2019, I entered the British Council of Chinese Martial Arts Fight Night tournament. I made it to the final in my weight class and took silver!

By then, I was doing BODYCOMBAT several times a week, and my wife had qualified as an Instructor. I started joining her practice classes and team-teaching sessions. That experience motivated me to start teaching too.

Becoming an Instructor has been one of the most rewarding things I've done, seeing new faces become regulars, watching people progress, and having them ask me about technique.

It also keeps me accountable. I have to show up, give my best, and motivate others, which motivates me too, even on low-energy days. It's like flipping a switch when I need it.

Coming from a competitive background, I was used to people focused on winning. Teaching BODYCOMBAT showed me that everyone has different goals, from fitness and confidence, to simply finishing the class or enjoying it. As an Instructor, you have to make it work for all of them.

Lucy Alston

• City / Country: Perth, Scotland
• Day job: Town Planner
• Les Mills programs: BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, and GRIT SERIES
• Clubs: ASW Perth College and Bannatyne Perth

"Becoming an Instructor felt like a natural next step..."

In my role as a Town Planner, I review development proposals and negotiate infrastructure contributions, detailed work that requires focus, diplomacy, and, honestly, a fairly thick skin.

Shaping places takes time, often years, sometimes decades. But when it works, planning turns a space into somewhere that genuinely improves lives. That's where the connection to being a Les Mills Instructor starts to make sense.

At its core, modern town planning is about wellbeing at a community scale: clean air, safe housing, walkable streets, and green space. Teaching group training shares the community wellbeing mission. One shapes environments, the other gets people moving and feeling stronger.

Les Mills classes became a lifeline when I moved to a new city for work. I didn't know anyone, and I was neglecting my physical and mental health, so the gym became my starting point. Classes quickly became my space to switch off and be present. Becoming an Instructor felt like a natural next step, still leading, still communicating, just in a different setting.

It's also influenced my performance at work. Instructing builds confidence, helps you read a room, communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and adapt quickly, all skills that carry directly into meetings and presentations.

On tough days, teaching is my reset button. It keeps me grounded, connected to my "why", reminding me why I do what I do.

And if you're wondering whether you'd fit as an Instructor, if you care about people, wellbeing, and showing up authentically, you already do.

Ashleigh Lucas

• City / Country: Rockhampton, Australia
• Day job: Civil Engineer
• Les Mills programs: LES MILLS PILATES
• Club: Ambitionz Health and Fitness Rockhampton

"Now, I have no excuse to skip out!"

I work within a pretty small team, so the nature and scale of my day-to-day and week-to-week tasks are really varied. One minute I might be writing a two-page flood hazard report for someone's new carport, the next I might be preparing bulk earthworks design, traffic impact assessment, and stormwater network modeling for a 500-allotment subdivision.

My work is constant problem-solving, which is honestly why I love it! I feel that my work is often "invisible" but essential to everyday life.

I've always enjoyed going for a walk outside or training on the gym floor, but discovering group training fundamentally changed my perspective on exercise. Now, I understand how important the role of others can be when it comes to effort and mindset.

I'm lucky enough to go to a gym with group training Instructors who are absolute gems! Shoutout to Bridget, Renee, and Natalie. The joy all three of them show on stage is a big reason why I was inspired to give it a go myself.

It was daunting at first, squeezing something else into my already busy schedule, but honestly, I adore that it is a non-negotiable in my calendar. As a participant, it was so easy to think, "Maybe next time," on days when my head was spinning. Now, I have no excuse to skip out!

The mental health boost is my favorite part, plus the core strength development has noticeably improved how I feel after sitting at a desk for eight hours.

If you're weighing up whether to become an Instructor, you're already halfway there. A passion for group training and a love for sharing that joy with others is the magic. Exercise ability is only part of it. Take the plunge!

Cezarina-Isabela Chirvase, PhD

• City / Country: Daventry, United Kingdom
• Day job: Clinical Scientist
• Les Mills programs: LES MILLS CORE™ and BODYBALANCE
• Club: Trilogy Active

“Sometimes it feels as though I’m living two different lives. However, both roles share the same purpose: caring for people.”

I moved to the UK from Romania in 2013 to pursue a doctoral degree in physics. Starting a new life in a different country, away from my family and friends, was both exciting and stressful.

One day, I decided to join the university gym, where I discovered BODYBALANCE through an incredible Instructor. Those classes became an escape, a space to clear my mind, build friendships, and slowly regain confidence in myself. They helped me through one of the most challenging periods of my life. That experience eventually inspired me to become a Les Mills Instructor myself.

My day job is as a Clinical Scientist, a fancy term for Medical Physicist, in the Radiotherapy Department at Northampton General Hospital NHS. My role is to ensure radiation treatments for cancer patients are delivered safely, accurately, and effectively.

I am fortunate to have a gym within the hospital premises, so after finishing my workday, I cross the street to teach my classes. In the hospital, I am known as Cezarina. In the gym, I am known as Isabela. Here, I am in the spotlight, connecting directly with participants in a more personal and uplifting way.

Sometimes it feels as though I’m living two different lives. However, both roles share the same purpose: caring for people.

Teaching creates a lasting ripple effect. A single conversation, skill, or moment of encouragement can change how someone sees themselves long after the class ends. I've learned that teaching isn't about having all the answers. It's about helping people feel capable enough to keep going.

To anyone unsure if they fit as an Instructor: most great teachers don't start as polished experts. They start as people who care, listen well, and remember what it felt like to be learning something for the first time. If you're willing to show up with patience, curiosity, and honesty, you already belong.

Apple Leong

• City / Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Day job: Travel Agency Company Director / Ticketing Coordinator
• Les Mills programs: BODYJAM and LES MILLS DANCE
• Club: Fitness First Malaysia

"I was quite timid before, so teaching has helped me become braver and find my voice."

Every day starts with me wishing I could hit snooze for just five more minutes! Before I'm even out of bed, I'm already thinking about meetings, my inbox, and everything I need to get done.

I run my family's travel agency, which is like playing Tetris with flights, hotels, visas, and customer requests. There are plenty of last-minute requests and the occasional "Help! There's something wrong with my booking!"

Alongside that, I volunteer with the Melbourne Leukaemia Foundation, supporting their social media using my marketing background. It's a very different space, but just as rewarding.

My Les Mills journey started in 2012 when I wasn't in the best place physically or mentally, so I joined a gym. BODYJAM was the first class I ever tried, and it immediately clicked. I've always loved dancing, so it didn't feel like exercise. It felt like a reset.

Then a mentor encouraged me to take the training. The rest naturally unfolded from there.

I was quite timid before, so teaching has helped me become braver and find my voice. It gave me more confidence in social situations. It also gave me a strong sense of responsibility. Showing up for my classes translates directly into how I show up at work.

There are days when I arrive at class already mentally drained, but teaching is my outlet. I teach five days a week, and the moment I step into the studio, everything shifts.

Everyone walks into class carrying something from their day. If I can help people leave feeling even a little better than when they walked in, that's more than enough for me.

For anyone thinking about becoming an Instructor, I would say this: nothing is ever perfect, and there's rarely a right time to start. You grow into it, and life finds its own way to balance around it.

Christine Marie Corcino

• City / Country: London, UK
• Day job: Fire Safety Officer at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Les Mills programs: BODYCOMBAT and BODYPUMP
• Clubs: Mainly Dulwich Leisure Centre and Camberwell Leisure Centre

"They often comment not only on the change in my appearance, but also on the improvements in my strength, confidence, and overall energy."

I started attending fitness classes in 2011, beginning with Zumba before moving on to BODYPUMP, HIIT, and Boxercise. Toward the end of 2023, one of my Boxercise Instructors asked me, "Why don't you become a BODYCOMBAT Instructor? You have the potential and the form." At that time, I didn't even know what BODYCOMBAT was. After researching it, I thought it looked incredibly fun and energetic.

I took the leap and earned my BODYCOMBAT certification in January 2024. In September 2024, I introduced the very first BODYCOMBAT class at Dulwich Leisure Centre. Amazingly, I became an Instructor before I had even attended a BODYCOMBAT class as a participant!

In October 2024, I attended LES MILLS LIVE Madrid, where I met Presenters Dan Cohen, Rachael Newsham, Ben Main, and Sebastian Jaramillo. My workplace later featured me internally for balancing my NHS career with my passion for fitness.

More recently, I decided to expand further and qualified as a BODYPUMP Instructor in January 2026.

Despite working full time during the week, I teach evening classes after work. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been hearing feedback from members. Many people have told me I inspire them because they've witnessed my transformation from previously being a size 18 to now maintaining a size 10-12. They often comment not only on the change in my appearance, but also on the improvements in my strength, confidence, and overall energy.

Les Mills has had a tremendous impact on my life, both physically and mentally, and it has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.