/* MAKE SURE TO CHANGE THE NAME HERE AS WELL OTHERWISE CSS WONT CHANGE AND THE POPUP WONT WORK */

Back

Stories Of Pride

21.05.2024

Behind-the-scenes

Amy Lu, Meno Thomas and Otto Prodan share how group training helped them find their home.

Amy Lou riding a stationary exercise bike

Amy Lu

"I came to New Zealand from China with my mum when I was five. It was just me and her. I had a very classic immigrant Chinese upbringing – there's a certain image and trajectory of your life that parents envisage for you. If you're a girl, you're expected to be nice and calm and graceful and elegant and feminine. You meet a nice boy, you get married, have children, all that stuff. I remember always trying to fit into the mold that my mom had for me. Thinking back, I suspect her biggest fear was that I would be gay. I was into hip-hop so she pushed me into ballet. I wanted to learn guitar, but that was too "boyish" so she pushed me into playing the flute. Even my name was very feminine in terms of the Chinese characters!

Growing up in New Zealand, gay culture wasn't as open as it is now. I never really explored my sexuality that much. I kind of knew I should like boys, but I was never sure I did. And I guess I had some internal kind of homophobia around myself as well. I had a couple of secret relationships with girls in high school and university.

After I graduated from medical school, I moved to Whangarei, which allowed me to re-introduce myself to the world. I joined the local community gym and they invited me to become an Instructor. They sent me along to Initial Training and that's where I met Carrie Kepple, who was one of the Trainers. If you know Carrie, you'll know she's petite, feminine and quite the pocket rocket! You'd never think she's gay! I vividly remember when she introduced herself and said: “I'm from America, but, you know, my wife's from New Zealand, so I'm going to be here forever.” I was only half paying attention, but when she said that I was stunned. I thought: “How could you just announce that so casually and so easily to so many people?” I'd been in a secret relationship for a few years, so that was like, what the hell?! It blew my mind!

After module, I began teaching at Les Mills clubs in Auckland. That first six months felt like a whole new world. At Les Mills, everyone was just so free. Everyone was so themselves. There was a very strong LGBTTQIA+ culture. And the thing is when you’re not "out", you always feel like you're putting on a facade. You're always self-conscious about everything you do and question yourself constantly: “Could this thing I said make this person think I'm gay?"; "If I do this, are they going to think I'm gay?". For the first time in my life, I felt accepted and encouraged to live my truth.

If it wasn't for group fitness, I'm really not sure I’d feel as content with myself as I do now. I don't think I would have ever felt free to express myself, to be who I've always thought I wanted to be. I love the person I am now. I love the person I am when I teach."

Otto Prodan lifting a SmartBar plate

Otto Prodan

"I joined the gym when I was 15 in a very, very vulnerable time of my life. I went from being overweight to very underweight. Looking back now, I think I had an eating disorder. I was also having problems at home because my dad had found out that I was gay. I didn't want to be home, and the gym was my happy place.

When I went to my first ever group training class, BODYATTACK™, the Instructor made me feel seen, made me feel like I was okay. That I belonged. I didn't feel like I belonged in the school. I didn't feel like I belonged at home. I wasn't feeling good in my body. And I was being told that what I was doing was wrong. But in the gym, in that class, it didn't matter and the Instructor didn't care. I was being encouraged to be myself, to be as flamboyant as I liked, to wave my hands in the air and enjoy myself. I felt like I could express myself in a way I couldn’t in other parts of my life.

Through my Instructor journey, I’ve grown as a human. When I first moved to New Zealand I was told: “Just be yourself”. Like that’s so easy. But it can be a hard thing to do when I’d always been told “Don't act this way. Don't say stuff this way. Don't sound this way. Don't move this way.”

When I teach my classes, I want people to have that same feeling that the BODYATTACK Instructor gave me. It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter your fitness level. It doesn't matter what's going on at home. You can come here, have a good time and feel good in your body. No judgment."

Meno Thomas in BodyJam

Meno Thomas

"I’ve always been a loud person, but I could get quite shy when it came to meeting new people. I didn’t really know what to say. Teaching group fitness from such a young age – I started at 15 – really helped my confidence, especially going through my journey with transitioning into being transgender. It’s been so helpful, not only for teaching, but also in helping me to stand for who I am today. It definitely helped me to find out who I really am.

I came out at a very young age. I always knew I was different from my twin sister because I was quite tomboyish, growing up. And I was like, why? Why am I so different from my sister? She was a very girly girl, quite into makeup, dressing up and all that stuff. And I was too, but I always admired my father – the way that he looked and the way that he dressed.

I remember being in kindergarten and just not feeling comfortable wearing a dress, crying because I wanted to get out of it. My sister was like: “Get over it, you look pretty.” But I didn’t want to look pretty.

I did some self-education around the age of 12 and I asked my Mum: “What does this mean?” We had a really great conversation about it and then I came out a couple of years later. Once I came out and told people who I actually was, everything started to make sense. I understood why I felt so different to my friends who are girls, and why I wanted to hang out with boys so much. When I found out what transgender meant, it made absolute sense why I’d been feeling the way I had since the age of about three.

The more I started to accept who I am, the more comfortable I felt with myself. I’ve had a pretty cool journey, and I’m still going through an incredible journey. I’m glad if I can bring some light to those who might be going through similar times, who might not have the support that I do.

Before I came out, I always felt uncomfortable, unsure. I wouldn’t say it was tough, but it was confusing. When we found a name for it, it was like we hit the nail on the head. It was like, ‘This makes absolute sense.’

I have empathy for the people who might want to say something nasty about me – like I’m not good enough or not strong enough. Maybe I’m not tall enough, or masculine enough. But how I look at it is: ‘You know what, I’m here to give me. And if you don’t accept that, that’s okay. But I’m going to continue to give me. And if you decide you don’t want to be on this ride with me, that’s okay, I’ll just drop you off at the next station.’"

Subheading

Explore all
Morning Teaching vs Evening Teaching

Subheading

Morning Teaching vs Evening Teaching

Morning Teaching vs Evening Teaching
Pass the Mic: Fraser Beck

Subheading

Pass the Mic: Fraser Beck

Pass the Mic: Fraser Beck
LES MILLS LIVE STOCKHOLM Electrifies Avicii Arena

Subheading

LES MILLS LIVE STOCKHOLM Electrifies Avicii Arena

LES MILLS LIVE STOCKHOLM Electrifies Avicii Arena
Ready For The Dance Revolution?

Subheading

Ready For The Dance Revolution?

Ready For The Dance Revolution?
Adidas and Les Mills Make Fitness History

Subheading

Adidas and Les Mills Make Fitness History

Adidas and Les Mills Make Fitness History
Khiran Huston on motivation

Subheading

Khiran Huston on motivation

Khiran Huston on motivation
GET READY FOR ACTION

Subheading

GET READY FOR ACTION

GET READY FOR ACTION
Functional Strength research

Subheading

Functional Strength research

Functional Strength research
Q121 Release

Subheading

Q121 Release

Q121 Release
“Everyone deserves to become the best version of themselves”

Subheading

“Everyone deserves to become the best version of themselves”

“Everyone deserves to become the best version of themselves”
Forever Dancing – Dorotka’s Dance Story

Subheading

Forever Dancing – Dorotka’s Dance Story

Forever Dancing – Dorotka’s Dance Story
Q2’23 Releases

Subheading

Q2’23 Releases

Q2’23 Releases
The Real Meaning Of Being strong

Subheading

The Real Meaning Of Being strong

The Real Meaning Of Being strong
Instructor Coaches - Supporting Les Mills Instructors Succeed

Subheading

Instructor Coaches - Supporting Les Mills Instructors Succeed

Instructor Coaches - Supporting Les Mills Instructors Succeed
International Women's Day 2023 Inspiring Women of Les Mills Nordic

Subheading

International Women's Day 2023 Inspiring Women of Les Mills Nordic

International Women's Day 2023 Inspiring Women of Les Mills Nordic
We're Listening To Your feedback

Subheading

We're Listening To Your feedback

We're Listening To Your feedback
Nordic Superstars - Filming the Q2 Masterclasses

Subheading

Nordic Superstars - Filming the Q2 Masterclasses

Nordic Superstars - Filming the Q2 Masterclasses
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

Subheading

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
The first Nordic Les Mills Strength Development Instructors are here

Subheading

The first Nordic Les Mills Strength Development Instructors are here

The first Nordic Les Mills Strength Development Instructors are here
Les Mills TONE - TRAINING FOR LONGEVITY

Subheading

Les Mills TONE - TRAINING FOR LONGEVITY

Les Mills TONE - TRAINING FOR LONGEVITY
How did you end up being an instructor

Subheading

How did you end up being an instructor

How did you end up being an instructor
Family, Fitness and Innovation: The GOGO Story

Subheading

Family, Fitness and Innovation: The GOGO Story

Family, Fitness and Innovation: The GOGO Story
Why THE TRIP is More Than a Workout

Subheading

Why THE TRIP is More Than a Workout

Why THE TRIP is More Than a Workout
Winning Yourself Is the Most Meaningful Achievement – Elena’s Superstar Journey

Subheading

Winning Yourself Is the Most Meaningful Achievement – Elena’s Superstar Journey

Winning Yourself Is the Most Meaningful Achievement – Elena’s Superstar Journey
LES MILLS SUPERSTAR Winners throughout the years

Subheading

LES MILLS SUPERSTAR Winners throughout the years

LES MILLS SUPERSTAR Winners throughout the years
Got An Issue With Knee Valgus?

Subheading

Got An Issue With Knee Valgus?

Got An Issue With Knee Valgus?
International Women’s Day: Breaking The Bias In Fitness

Subheading

International Women’s Day: Breaking The Bias In Fitness

International Women’s Day: Breaking The Bias In Fitness
How much HIIT Should You recommend

Subheading

How much HIIT Should You recommend

How much HIIT Should You recommend
How To Make Your Class Unmissable

Subheading

How To Make Your Class Unmissable

How To Make Your Class Unmissable
You Define Your Success

Subheading

You Define Your Success

You Define Your Success
 Working To Get You Back In The Studio

Subheading

Working To Get You Back In The Studio

Working To Get You Back In The Studio
Healthy Alcohol

Subheading

Healthy Alcohol

Healthy Alcohol
60 seconds with Erin Maw

Subheading

60 seconds with Erin Maw

60 seconds with Erin Maw
6 ways to retain new members

Subheading

6 ways to retain new members

6 ways to retain new members
Rach On Building Confidence As An Instructor

Subheading

Rach On Building Confidence As An Instructor

Rach On Building Confidence As An Instructor
Your Top 10 articles from 2022

Subheading

Your Top 10 articles from 2022

Your Top 10 articles from 2022
How To Rock Smaller Class Numbers

Subheading

How To Rock Smaller Class Numbers

How To Rock Smaller Class Numbers
Q4’22 Releases

Subheading

Q4’22 Releases

Q4’22 Releases
THE UNITED RELEASES

Subheading

THE UNITED RELEASES

THE UNITED RELEASES
How The Very Best Handle Competition

Subheading

How The Very Best Handle Competition

How The Very Best Handle Competition
HOW THE “HOLOGRAM RELEASES” WERE CREATED

Subheading

HOW THE “HOLOGRAM RELEASES” WERE CREATED

HOW THE “HOLOGRAM RELEASES” WERE CREATED
Group Fitness Manager Insights

Subheading

Group Fitness Manager Insights

Group Fitness Manager Insights
YOUR NEW RELEASES ARE ON THEIR WAY…

Subheading

YOUR NEW RELEASES ARE ON THEIR WAY…

YOUR NEW RELEASES ARE ON THEIR WAY…
INCOMING: THE ‘STRONGER’ RELEASES

Subheading

INCOMING: THE ‘STRONGER’ RELEASES

INCOMING: THE ‘STRONGER’ RELEASES
Get your pre-holiday HIIT

Subheading

Get your pre-holiday HIIT

Get your pre-holiday HIIT
The HIIT List

Subheading

The HIIT List

The HIIT List
Get your pre-holiday HIIT

Subheading

Get your pre-holiday HIIT

Get your pre-holiday HIIT
Meet Iman

Subheading

Meet Iman

Meet Iman
Get Ready For Action

Subheading

Get Ready For Action

Get Ready For Action
Prepare for success!

Subheading

Prepare for success!

Prepare for success!
New Study Reveals The Secret To Staying Fit For Life

Subheading

New Study Reveals The Secret To Staying Fit For Life

New Study Reveals The Secret To Staying Fit For Life
BODYJAM 100

Subheading

BODYJAM 100

BODYJAM 100
Meet the Saudi Women Putting their Country on the Fitness Map

Subheading

Meet the Saudi Women Putting their Country on the Fitness Map

Meet the Saudi Women Putting their Country on the Fitness Map
Meet Anna

Subheading

Meet Anna

Meet Anna
Meet Desmond

Subheading

Meet Desmond

Meet Desmond
FRONT SQUATS AND CALF RAISES

Subheading

FRONT SQUATS AND CALF RAISES

FRONT SQUATS AND CALF RAISES
Interview With Caley Jack

Subheading

Interview With Caley Jack

Interview With Caley Jack
Introducing Fiona

Subheading

Introducing Fiona

Introducing Fiona
THE LIFE OF AN INSTRUCTOR IN MEMES

Subheading

THE LIFE OF AN INSTRUCTOR IN MEMES

THE LIFE OF AN INSTRUCTOR IN MEMES
Meet Marc

Subheading

Meet Marc

Meet Marc
Q3'23 Release highlights

Subheading

Q3'23 Release highlights

Q3'23 Release highlights
Your Pride Stories

Subheading

Your Pride Stories

Your Pride Stories
Wellness coaching with Kylie Gates

Subheading

Wellness coaching with Kylie Gates

Wellness coaching with Kylie Gates
TRAINING FOR YOUR CYCLE

Subheading

TRAINING FOR YOUR CYCLE

TRAINING FOR YOUR CYCLE
Steve Tansey shares tips

Subheading

Steve Tansey shares tips

Steve Tansey shares tips
Rachael Newsham's filming diary

Subheading

Rachael Newsham's filming diary

Rachael Newsham's filming diary
Rachael Newsham Talks Mental Health

Subheading

Rachael Newsham Talks Mental Health

Rachael Newsham Talks Mental Health
Quick-fire questions with Rachael Newsham

Subheading

Quick-fire questions with Rachael Newsham

Quick-fire questions with Rachael Newsham
Q4'20 Releases

Subheading

Q4'20 Releases

Q4'20 Releases
From Front Row Fan To Masterclass Presenter

Subheading

From Front Row Fan To Masterclass Presenter

From Front Row Fan To Masterclass Presenter
Q’3’22 Releases Are Lit!

Subheading

Q’3’22 Releases Are Lit!

Q’3’22 Releases Are Lit!
Q3'21 Release: The 'Unstoppable' Releases

Subheading

Q3'21 Release: The 'Unstoppable' Releases

Q3'21 Release: The 'Unstoppable' Releases
Pride Program Playlists

Subheading

Pride Program Playlists

Pride Program Playlists
No time for illness – Erica’s story

Subheading

No time for illness – Erica’s story

No time for illness – Erica’s story
New sound for LES MILLS SPRINT

Subheading

New sound for LES MILLS SPRINT

New sound for LES MILLS SPRINT
Meet Trainer Shey

Subheading

Meet Trainer Shey

Meet Trainer Shey
Meet Bram

Subheading

Meet Bram

Meet Bram
Meet some of the Assessor Team

Subheading

Meet some of the Assessor Team

Meet some of the Assessor Team
Meet Phil

Subheading

Meet Phil

Meet Phil
Fun loving, smoothie addict!

Subheading

Fun loving, smoothie addict!

Fun loving, smoothie addict!
HOW LES MILLS CONNECT HELPED ME FIND WORK

Subheading

HOW LES MILLS CONNECT HELPED ME FIND WORK

HOW LES MILLS CONNECT HELPED ME FIND WORK
Meet Marcus

Subheading

Meet Marcus

Meet Marcus
Masterclass filming Uncovered

Subheading

Masterclass filming Uncovered

Masterclass filming Uncovered
Marlon’s Journey

Subheading

Marlon’s Journey

Marlon’s Journey
Lisa Osborne: "Adapt, React, Then Get On With It"

Subheading

Lisa Osborne: "Adapt, React, Then Get On With It"

Lisa Osborne: "Adapt, React, Then Get On With It"
Lisa Osborne: "I Want To Inspire Instructors To Inspire Their Members"

Subheading

Lisa Osborne: "I Want To Inspire Instructors To Inspire Their Members"

Lisa Osborne: "I Want To Inspire Instructors To Inspire Their Members"
Libby Benson-Day Trainer profile

Subheading

Libby Benson-Day Trainer profile

Libby Benson-Day Trainer profile
CIMSPA and Les Mills partner

Subheading

CIMSPA and Les Mills partner

CIMSPA and Les Mills partner
Why do I need insurance?

Subheading

Why do I need insurance?

Why do I need insurance?
BODYPUMP UK 100 finalists

Subheading

BODYPUMP UK 100 finalists

BODYPUMP UK 100 finalists
Introducing Les Mils Wellness

Subheading

Introducing Les Mils Wellness

Introducing Les Mils Wellness
We caught up with Head Trainer Sarah about LES MILLS TONE

Subheading

We caught up with Head Trainer Sarah about LES MILLS TONE

We caught up with Head Trainer Sarah about LES MILLS TONE
Four Reasons Why Les Mills+ Benefits Instructors

Subheading

Four Reasons Why Les Mills+ Benefits Instructors

Four Reasons Why Les Mills+ Benefits Instructors
Les Mills Music Uncovered

Subheading

Les Mills Music Uncovered

Les Mills Music Uncovered
Could Les Mills Core Be The Answer To Lower Back Pain?

Subheading

Could Les Mills Core Be The Answer To Lower Back Pain?

Could Les Mills Core Be The Answer To Lower Back Pain?
How Les Mills Africa Can #BREAKTHEBIAS

Subheading

How Les Mills Africa Can #BREAKTHEBIAS

How Les Mills Africa Can #BREAKTHEBIAS
Les Mills Qualifications: The Secret To Improving Your Teaching

Subheading

Les Mills Qualifications: The Secret To Improving Your Teaching

Les Mills Qualifications: The Secret To Improving Your Teaching
Kaylas Story

Subheading

Kaylas Story

Kaylas Story
Les Mills Women On Their Role Models

Subheading

Les Mills Women On Their Role Models

Les Mills Women On Their Role Models
How to stay injury-free

Subheading

How to stay injury-free

How to stay injury-free