Meet Julie! She's one strong lady, according to WMC Presenter, MaryBeth Gangemi, who nominated Julie as today's CRUSH!
Julie is working to bring positive thinking and movement skills to lots of people in her community. She's also working to bring this to the online world too. Julie and MaryBeth met through MovNat and have stayed connected since.
Julie is a true believer that body movement keeps a body young... and this alone makes her crush-worthy...#amiright?
Do yourself a favor and get connected with Julie!
IG: @warriorup_fit - Facebook - Website
What do you do?
I teach exercise and healthy diet as a 24 year fitness veteran coach and trainer. The most recent addition to my coaching repertoire includes an online coaching cert and the Level 2 MCT & Combatives Trainer certs. I also use my Yoga Fit and TRX L1 Instructor training to whoop people into shape.
What else do you do?
I'm a 5'0" ninja girl and have been known to sing rock n’ roll songs out loud in public places.
How do you define the word 'strength'?
I have adopted Georges Herbert and MovNat's motto: "Être fort pour être utile" ("Being strong to be useful"). Being mentally tough and physically strong enough to be of service to others.
How did you discover your passion?
My job was sucking my spirit dry. In 1993, one of my fellow Kenpo karate class students was an astrologer and she suggested training after reading my chart...well you asked. :)
How do you incorporate movement into your daily lifestyle?
Fortunately training in the studio or coaching clients online allows me the opportunity to move quite a bit. I haven't had a regular workout schedule for years and seem to exist just crawling and rolling on the floor, hanging from (anything) jumping curbs, rocks, cut tree stumps, drills using lines in the parking lot, lifting random heavy objects just because I can and I get a kick out of doing it. I do enjoy throwing heavy weights and kettlebells around too...and then I nap.
What do you recommend for someone starting out?
Use an alarm or a timer of some sort and notify yourself to break and move. Literally stop what you are doing and stand, reach up, roll your head around on your neck, twist, touch your toes, bounce on your heels and sip 4 oz. of water before you sit back down-I recommend 57 min. of work and 3 min. movement. Asking for such a small amount of time seems reasonable to most people and the incremental improvements in posture and flexibility compound over time. You have to start somewhere?
How do you define 'fitness'?
Living the highest quality of life at any age because you take care of yourself. Being fit doesn't mean "longer" just "better".
Where do you see the future of fitness?
I see people enjoying the community aspects of exercising together in class formats whether yoga on the bluff, aerobics at a recreation center or a bootcamp workout. I think many are challenged by the advent and popularity of obstacle course racing too, in addition to triathlon type races because this training takes you outside in nature, the variety of skill sets are intriguing and the community aspect is a bonus. I also think that measurement tracking our workouts will hit a peak and possibly decline because we are eventually going to figure out that less electronic disturbance is more healthy overall. More moving and less distraction.
Does movement increase your self-confidence? If yes, how?
Any time you Move you feel better Period. I move everyday and I think I'm a total badass.
What motivates the crap out of you?
Something that someone tells me I CAN'T do.
What advice do you wish you could have given your former self?
Stop being so hard on yourself, you ALWAYS do your best, let that be enough. Know when to say when.
“The most creative ideas are like that of your first breath when it grabs you and you feel a real physical response in your body because it resonates in your soul.”
Anything else you'd like to share with us?
The most creative ideas are like that of your first breath when it grabs you and you feel a real physical response in your body because it resonates in your soul. PAY ATTENTION to that "ping".
Trust that feeling as your guidance and that you CAN do it, whatever "it" is.
I have my own personal mantra I've used to propel me forward in every great adventure, accomplishment or personal achievement and it is this: "Show up, do the best that you can, tell the truth, don't hide, let go of the outcome." Once I realize the worst thing that could happen is that I could die, and since that is going to happen anyway, I'm pretty much ok with whatever happens next.
It's very liberating to know that you cannot fail.