The Real Lives of Les Mills Instructors

Name: Brittaney Talbot
City: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Day job: Puppeteer, Special FX Artist
Club: EOS Fitness, Hollywood
Les Mills programs: BODYBALANCE™, LES MILLS CORE™, BODYPUMP™, LES MILLS GRIT™ and LES MILLS CEREMONY™

I’ve been a saber-toothed cat. I’ve been a fantastical forest troll. I’ve been a dinosaur – several times. I’m a professional puppeteer working across live entertainment, film, and television, and the best part of my job is never quite knowing what character is coming next.

One highlight was opening and touring with the Jurassic World Live Tour. The production was huge, featuring a 40-foot animatronic T. rex and a life-sized 90lb Troodon puppet which I operated. I controlled her jaw and head using cables inside the body, working constantly to make her feel as lifelike as possible under stage lights and in front of live audiences.

As puppet captain on the show, I learned every “dino-teer” track and helped prepare our puppeteers for performances. Learning choreography and teaching others to perform it safely wasn’t too different from teaching Les Mills classes. I needed to communicate clearly, keep people safe, and still leave space for performance and expression. After all, we were bringing dinosaurs to life eight times a week! I’ve been fortunate to stay injury-free, and I credit that to the core stability developed through LES MILLS CORE, plus the endurance strength built through BODYPUMP.

One of the most special things about puppetry is it’s a collaboration with the audience. We all know the puppet isn’t really alive, but together we choose to believe it is – and that shared belief is what makes it feel real. I see teaching the same way. I learn the choreography and guide the class; participants trust and follow, but it’s the shared energy in the room, and how we respond to each other in the moment, that makes the workout truly come alive.

While my background as a performer and athlete shapes me as an Instructor, I also believe Les Mills has made me a better performer and athlete than I would have been otherwise.

Rebecca Regnery
City: Germantown, Maryland, USA
Day job: Wildlife conservation
Club(s): Onelife Fitness and Gold's Gym DC Metro
Les Mills programs: BODYBALANCE, BODYCOMBAT™, LES MILLS CORE, BODYSTEP™, BODYPUMP, LES MILLS PILATES™ and LES MILLS SHAPES™

I work on the CITES treaty, with 184 member countries, lobbying to protect wildlife.

A typical day starts with a 7am strategy meeting, followed by a quick breakfast. I often wrap bread rolls in a napkin in case there’s no time for lunch. I arrive at the Convention Centre, catching government delegates as they leave their regional meetings. I switch between English (super easy), Spanish (easy) and French (a struggle!), while also trying to remember cultural norms. I once hugged a man from Saudi Arabia by mistake. Luckily, we were friends and he wasn’t offended!

During the day, I get updates on regional positions for proposals covering species like sloths, hornbills, tarantulas and sharks. I lobby for support, address opposition with evidence, and take my seat in the plenary hall. Negotiations continue alongside side events, some of which I help organise. I get food from a nearby shop, eat and work in my room, and try to get a few hours’ sleep before it all starts again.

When home, I teach in the evenings where my stress reduces and my happiness increases the moment I walk into the gym.

Teaching puts things into perspective. In fitness, we can recover from setbacks like illness, injury or negative life events by staying determined and putting in the work. Some of my successes in my day job have taken decades, and it’s easy to get discouraged. But like fitness, it’s a long game.

I do a lot of high-stakes speaking – to foreign government officials, the media, presenting webinars, and global meetings. Teaching Les Mills classes taught me that preparation and practice build confidence and reduce fear, which increases credibility.

Teaching also helped me keep my spirits up after my position was eliminated unexpectedly at a charity I had worked at for 28 years. 

The hardest thing is teaching when I’m jet-lagged and exhausted. Then I lean more on connection and performance skills, letting the music take centre stage. Ironically, those are often the classes where I get the most compliments!

My “why” is simple – to have fun and enjoy life. Becoming a group training Instructor was one of the best decisions I ever made. Anyone can do it if they teach a class they love!

Victor Ng
Town/City: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Day job: Hairstylist
Club(s): Fitness First Malaysia
Les Mills programs: BODYATTACK™, LES MILLS CEREMONY and BODYPUMP

By day, I’m a hair stylist. My world revolves around creativity, precision, and making people feel confident in their own skin. A typical day starts late morning in the salon, where I spend hours on my feet cutting, coloring, and connecting with clients. Every head of hair is different, and every client brings their own story. My job is not just technical – it’s emotional too. It’s about listening, understanding, and helping someone leave feeling like the best version of themselves.

What people don’t always see is how physically and mentally demanding it can be. Long hours, constant focus, and the pressure to consistently deliver high-quality results. But that’s also what keeps me sharp.

I first discovered Les Mills as a participant in a BODYATTACK class. A friend dragged me along, and I remember feeling overwhelmed at first – everyone had so much energy, shouting “Hey! Hey! Hey!” and going all out. But after a few classes, something shifted. I started to understand it, then enjoy it, and eventually I was hooked, so much so that I took the Initial Training!

One of my biggest inspirations was my mentor, Serra. I loved her classes. I remember thinking, “I wish I could be like her one day.” I didn’t just want to be in the crowd – I wanted to be up there, creating that same impact.

Being an Instructor has boosted my confidence and communication skills, and helped me connect better with salon clients. It’s also taught me resilience – showing up and giving my best even when I’m tired. Most importantly, it’s made me more empathetic, making me more aware that everyone walks into a room differently and that connection really matters. 

If someone is thinking about becoming an Instructor but doesn’t feel like they “fit,” I’d say go for it. You don’t need to be perfect. Just be real. That’s often where you discover a different version of yourself.

Jayne Gagliano
City: Alameda, CA, USA
Day job: HIV Research Coordinator
Club(s) : The Hub Sports Club and Alameda Fitness & Spa
Les Mills programs:  RPM™, LES MILLS SPRINT™, THE TRIP™ and LES MILLS CORE

During the day, I coordinate an HIV research study for the University of California, San Francisco, based at a busy community clinic in downtown Oakland. There is no typical day. Most of our patients are unhoused without phones, so I often start the day working with the street medicine team to locate those we haven’t seen in a while.

I’m constantly problem-solving and thinking on my feet, often receiving referrals from local emergency departments. One gentleman had no ID, no phone, spoke only Spanish and was sleeping outside. He hadn’t taken HIV medication in years, was extremely frail, and we were afraid he wouldn’t survive.

Through careful coordination we were able to start him on long-acting injectable HIV medication. We connected him to supportive housing and within months, his viral load went from the millions to undetectable. He gained 40lbs and began to feel hopeful about his future. Stories like his are what keep me in this work.

Like most Instructors, I began as a participant. As a former collegiate athlete, traditional workouts and classes never really held my attention. Les Mills was different. I looked forward to the launches, learning new moves and hearing new music. It was something I could stick with. Sixteen years later, I still feel that same excitement around launch time.

It could have been so much different. Back in 2014, I discovered I had a large congenital tumor in my heart when pieces of it broke off during a class. 48 hours and many tests later, I underwent open-heart surgery to remove it. Recovery was not easy, but my fitness from teaching RPM, LES MILLS SPRINT and LES MILLS CORE meant I could move independently far sooner than expected. Five weeks after surgery, I was cleared to return to RPM – and I haven’t stopped since!

Over the years, I’ve given many presentations on HIV research, sometimes to international audiences. There is a strong crossover between teaching a class and delivering an engaging scientific presentation. Both require clarity, timing, and precision to create impact – set the scene, present the evidence, and drive the message home. 

Teaching is the best part of my day – a space where I can step away from the weight of my HIV work and focus on movement, connection and a bit of joy.

Jeremy Walko-Frankovic
City: Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Day job: Hardware Engineer
Club(s): YMCA Silicon Valley, Bay Club Santa Clara
Les Mills programs:  BODYBALANCE and LES MILLS YOGA™

By day I work in a lab in Silicon Valley – 3D printing, machining, prototyping and building hardware. Sometimes it’s flying taxis, sometimes spacecraft, but recently I’ve been building camera equipment that uses spectroscopy to detect methane leaks, helping to reduce greenhouse emissions.

I became more conscious of my fitness and health in 2020, after the death of my brother during the COVID pandemic. I found a YMCA that was still open, and we were doing BODYPUMP and BODYCOMBAT in the parking lot under the afternoon sun. I enjoyed the classes, but even more than that, I was taken in by the community.

BODYBALANCE stood out for me. Not only because we were doing it in our own masked six-foot bubbles, but because it helped me reconnect physically and emotionally. It changed something in me. Over time, I realised there must be others who felt the same way, and I wanted to share that experience.

By night, I trade my toolbox of wrenches for the mic. I watch the room change as we move into the tai chi sequences of BODYBALANCE. That’s the moment I feel the impact – this is where it really matters.

There is a strong crossover between my two worlds, especially in language. During the day I write, build and test documentation and support engineers in the field through troubleshooting and complex procedures. Clarity and precision are essential. I bring that same focus into the studio when I coach movement and guide people through class.

Teaching has made me more confident, more comfortable taking charge, and more willing to step into leadership. The skills reinforce each other in ways I didn’t expect.

Melissa Benitez
Country: Wales, UK
‍‍Day job: Massage & Complementary Therapist / Wellness Practitioner
Les Mills programs:  BODYBALANCE, BODYPUMP, BODYPUMP HEAVY™, BODYCOMBAT and LES MILLS SHAPES

Fifteen years ago, I arrived in the UK from Venezuela with just £300 and a handbag. I couldn’t afford checked luggage, and I spoke almost no English. I arrived during winter completely unprepared for the cold, but like many people starting over, I simply did whatever work I could to survive and build a future.

Back in Venezuela, I came from a very different world. I studied agriculture and originally imagined a future connected to land, nature, and rural life. At the time, I never could have imagined that one day I would be teaching fitness classes in Wales or working in the wellness industry. Life took me in a direction I never planned, but I’ve stayed connected to the same core values of caring for people, health, and a connection to nature.

Over the years, I worked in many different roles, including supporting patients within the NHS. Working with people who were vulnerable, lonely, frightened, or unwell taught me compassion and resilience very quickly.

Life today looks very different, but that sense of purpose has stayed with me.

I now work as a massage and complementary therapist in Wales, and no two days ever look the same. Some days I teach classes in the morning before spending the afternoon in my greenhouse or creating small-batch wellness products. Other days, I might do six or seven massage treatments back-to-back. My life is busy, varied, and sometimes exhausting, but teaching Les Mills is the one thing that gives structure to my week.

Being a Les Mills Instructor has helped me rediscover myself. For most of my life, I felt like I was trying to fit in and become the version of myself other people expected. Teaching gave me the confidence to finally be genuine and expressive without embarrassment. It unleashed a side of me I had hidden for years – the performer, the energy, the emotion, and the connection with people.

Matt Parkin
City: Belper, UK
Day job: Ambulance Technician
Club(s): Places For People - Ripley Leisure Centre, Alfreton Leisure Centre, William Gregg Leisure Centre
Les Mills programs:  BODYCOMBAT, BODYPUMP and BODYBALANCE

I’ve worked for East Midlands Ambulance Service for nearly five years and I love it. When I first started out, we attended a lady who had low blood sugar and stroke-like symptoms (slurred speech, facial droop). We gave her glucose medication, brought her blood sugar back to normal levels, and she made a full recovery and was able to stay at home. That was the first moment I realized I would love what I do – helping people in their time of need.

A typical shift starts with checking the truck to make sure it’s equipped with the medical supplies we use daily. No two days are ever the same – you never know where your day will take you. One minute I’m helping treat someone with breathing difficulties, the next I’m supporting someone in a mental health crisis.

I absolutely fell in love with BODYCOMBAT after a colleague recommended it to me. I trained as an Instructor because I wanted to share that passion with others. You never know what someone is going through, or how much they needed that workout that day.

I’ve learned that, whether with patients or participants, both physical and mental health support go hand in hand. I’m passionate about both jobs, and together they’ve helped me become a more empathetic Instructor. I am ordinary, the people I teach are ordinary, and we’re all just working out together.

If you’re thinking about taking the leap – go for it. The people I’ve met, my now boyfriend, the friends I’ve made, the opportunities and experiences I’ve had – all down to taking that step.

Jordan Hazrati
City: Windsor, UK
Day job: Senior Human Factors Specialist - Air Navigation Services Provider (and recreational private pilot)
Club(s) : Village Bracknell
Les Mills programs: LES MILLS DANCE™ and BODYJAM™. 

My day outside of the studio is spent working in human factors, designing and assuring air traffic control systems so controllers can do their jobs safely and effectively. My work involves everything from writing reports and conducting simulations, to running investigations and hazard analysis. Outside of work, you’ll often find me at the airfield flying Cessna and Piper aircraft, or planning my next overseas adventure to write about!

Back in 2015, a friend suggested I try a BODYPUMP class to get fit. I remember sitting in the changing rooms thinking I could probably leave without anyone noticing, when the Instructor came in, recognized me from my friend’s heads-up, and said they’d already set my station up. There was no escape then! An hour later I was hooked, and being a qualified dance teacher, I felt it was something I could be part of. Eleven years and seven programs later – I’m still here. 

Both my human factors career and private pilot life have been shaped by my Instructor skills. When you have 50+ pairs of eyes looking to you for the next move, and your success depends on making authentic connections, you naturally build those skills. Whether I’m delivering a presentation to senior leaders or making decisions at 3,000 feet, I’m constantly grateful for what teaching has given me.

That’s not to say it’s always easy. There are long days of travel where I feel exhausted, or moments when it would be easier to go home. Sometimes participants would never know minutes before class I was dealing with something personally devastating. But what keeps me going is the participants. For that hour, I’m there purely for them.

It has also been one of the only constants in my life over the past 11 years, grounding me through job losses, relationship breakdowns, family illness and global pandemics. I’ve taught through all of it and the world keeps turning.

But both roles have taught me the same lesson: never assume. Even if someone looks disengaged, they may be having the only half hour for themselves that week. 

For anyone wondering if they “fit” the Instructor mold, hear this: there isn’t a mold. Find the program you love, find your “why”, and just go for it!

Du Xin
City: Shanghai, China
Day job: Violin Teacher
Club(s): LeFit Fitness
Les Mills programs: BODYSTEP, BODYATTACK and LES MILLS PILATES

From Monday to Friday, I split my time between group training, private violin lessons, and teaching music. I often start at 7:30am, teach 5-6 classes a day, and finish with evening private lessons from 4:30pm. Weekends are just as full, with one-to-one lessons and ensemble rehearsals on Sundays.

People are often surprised that I can be both a professional violin teacher and a group training Instructor, but for me, both roles sit naturally alongside each other.

I first discovered Les Mills in 2014 while preparing for my university graduation concert and going to the gym to get the best possible results. I was immediately drawn to the energy in the room – especially the Instructor’s presence on stage and the sense of connection with participants. That feeling made me want to be part of it.

One moment that best represents my teaching journey was how I supported another member, whose first class fell on my birthday. He assumed there would be cake haha! He kept coming back to BODYATTACK and BODYSTEP, and over time he noticed real changes in his fitness. He eventually told me he wanted to become an Instructor. He lacked confidence at first, but I supported him after evening classes to practise and prepare. I am incredibly proud that he is now a certified BODYATTACK, BODYSTEP, and BODYJAM Instructor!

Each class gives me space to reset and step away from stress. During pregnancy, LES MILLS PILATES helped me stay physically and mentally balanced. On busy weeks, I still aim to teach 4-6 classes so I can show up with energy and consistency.

Across both professions, I’ve learned that people are more similar than they are different, and that communication – through language, body awareness, and connection – is everything.

If someone is unsure about becoming an Instructor, I would say don’t start by asking if you’re “suitable.” Start by exploring what you enjoy. Confidence comes from doing – not waiting.

Leah Otis
City: Wellington, New Zealand
Day job: Medical Laboratory Technician
Club(s): Les Mills Hutt City
Les Mills programs taught: LES MILLS GRIT and BODYATTACK

Most days for me start early in a histology lab, where we prepare human tissue samples so doctors can study them under a microscope and help diagnose illness. My work is very hands-on and detail-focused, dissecting tissue, cutting incredibly thin sections, staining slides and carefully checking everything before it goes to the pathologists. It can sound quite gory and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s also incredibly meaningful work because every sample belongs to a real person waiting for answers about their health.

I originally liked working in a lab because I’m naturally quite shy, and I appreciated that it wasn’t patient-facing. Group training wasn’t something I ever felt naturally confident about. I first found Les Mills because my sister encouraged me to go along to a class with her. I felt shy being around lots of people while working out – I never imagined I would end up teaching classes myself!

I started to love the energy, the music, and welcoming community. Over time, it slowly brought me out of my shell and gave me confidence I didn’t know I had. So much so that I trained to become a Les Mills Instructor.

This has had a major impact on my day job. In the lab, you need to communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and work well with others, and teaching has strengthened all of these skills. I’ve become more confident speaking in front of people, including recently giving a talk about my work to a group of nurses and health professionals – something I would never have done before becoming an Instructor.

Teaching also gives me a really positive outlet. Even when I’m tired after a long day, stepping into the studio changes my mindset – the energy from the class lifts me up as much as I try to lift them. It’s one hour where I can let go of stress.

For anyone thinking about becoming an Instructor but worrying they don’t “fit,” you don’t need to look or sound a certain way. People connect most with Instructors who are genuine, relatable, and who care about others.

Marion Wirth
Town/City: Frankfurt, Germany
Day job: Product Manager
Club(s): Fitness First, Germany
Les Mills program: LES MILLS DANCE

A typical workday for me starts with a cup of coffee – not only because I love it, but because it’s part of my job! And not just any coffee, but the best traditional Turin Italian coffee. Can you guess which one?

My job involves managing the coffee offering for the gastronomy and hospitality sector. I work with a portfolio of coffee products, especially beans, and strategically match them with the right customers – from large hotel chains to Giovanni’s Ice Cream parlor around the corner.

I work closely with many departments, align different perspectives, and act as an important interface between Italy and the local teams.

Outside of my corporate career, dancing has always been one of my greatest passions. It gives me freedom to express emotions and relieve stress.

After teaching different dance styles for five years, I discovered LES MILLS DANCE and instantly fell in love. Because I genuinely enjoy it myself, I’m able to transfer that passion and joy in every class I teach.

No matter how exhausting my workday has been, the moment I walk into the studio and see those motivated faces ready for a dance party, it instantly feels worth it. Teaching helps me reset, refocus, and return to everyday life with a fresh mindset. It’s funny how something that takes so much physical energy can give you even more back in return.

Since becoming a group training Instructor, I’ve gained even greater respect for all Instructors. The moment we step onto the stage, we leave our own personal struggles behind to give 100% to the class.

To all fellow Instructors: you are doing an amazing job, and you make the world a little better every day.

And to anyone thinking about becoming an Instructor: just go for it. Don’t wait for the perfect timing – it doesn’t exist. You will learn, grow, make mistakes, and improve every day. And little by little, you become the person you want to be.