FLORIDA MOM MAGAZINE - September '08 - Melinda Foley - JazzerciseBy: Michele Gillis
Melinda Foley
36, INSTRUCTOR AT JAZZERCISE IN JACKSONVILLE BEACH, CHEF AND MOM TO DILLON, 14; DALLAS, 12 AND DORIAN, 9.
How long have you been an instructor at Jazzercise?
I started as an instructor five years ago and then bought the business. I owned the Jazzercise for about two and a half years and Susan Miller took it over about two months ago. I am now instructing and I average about five classes a week. I decided to sell because I just wanted more time with my family.
What is Jazzercise?
Jazzercise is a 60-minute class incorporating cardio, strength and stretch moves for a total body workout. The Web site is jazzercise.com.
How do you get women motivated to work out?
There are two kinds of people. Those that work well on their own and can exercise at home and those that need to get out of the house and away from their surrounds to be able to focus on themselves. All moms are so busy and can’t find time to exercise. After my last child, a friend of mine got me into walking again in the mornings. She said, ‘Don’t do it for the weight. Don’t do it for fitness. Do it because you need that time alone to yourself.’ When you focus on actually making the time, then everything else will fall into place. I know moms are so exhausted all the time, but once you get into something like Jazzercise which is so much fun you get re-energized. It’s like recharging your batteries and then you get out and say, ‘Ok now I have the energy to go through my day.’ It’s really different. The people around here are totally different than you will find at a gym. They are so supportive.
What else do you do?
I am a chef and I do catering on the side with chef Robbert Bouman. I finished culinary school at Florida Community College of Jacksonville’s North campus in 2002.
How do you balance instructing and motherhood?
My husband, Bret, is fabulous. He owns his own company, Business Technology Group, and is able to pick up a lot of slack in the afternoons. My kids also come with me to Jazzercise sometimes. My husband is a big support.
What are some of your future goals?
Right now, I’m teaching and when my youngest gets into middle school, I want to get back into the culinary field full-time. In the meantime, I’d like to find something part-time in catering or working at a restaurant to get more of a business background.
Who inspires you?
I am not inspired by any ‘one’ person. I am inspired by those who have a small idea or dream and find a way to make it a huge reality. I once heard a prominent judge say to a teenager, ‘You need to go find what you love to do, do it and then find a way to get paid for it.’ I think this concept has stayed in my mind and I think for those who have done it, it not only makes you successful but truly happy. It has worked for me!
You look great, what's your secret?
Other than teaching Jazzercise, I also enjoy walking and other outdoor activities. I’m real active. I’m into food, fun and fitness. You have to find a balance. You go through the week and watch what you eat, but on the weekends, you can kind of let it slide. You have to give yourself that break somewhere.
-by Michele Gillis
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