From Student to Educator: I’m an AFAA Group Fitness Master Instructor
Being an attendee last year at my first year at Fitbloggin was such a positive experience! Having the opportunity to come back this year, as a speaker and instructor, only upped the ante in a supercharged way!
Let’s start with the LOCATION: Savannah – a city so close to me that I hadn’t been to before. Fitbloggin 2014 took place in downtown Savannah, GA which was only about a 5 and a half hour drive from where we live, so I decided to drive in instead of flying. The city is very easy to get around, on a grid platform, with 22 existing squares all throughout the downtown area. When we were able to all venture out and explore we found so many quaint restaurants and shops – mead, pralines, white balsamic, and spices were some of the takeaways that made it back with me. I was able to enjoy lots of walks around with friends, the Savannah Slow Ride, a Ghost Tour in a hearse, and these were just a FEW of the adventures Savannah offers. Aside from fun, it’s also a beautiful town and the people are so friendly and welcoming.
Spending time with ALL of the PEOPLE is what draws me to Fitbloggin – Last year’s Fitbloggin experience brought me together with some incredible people who I now consider some of my closest friends. We may talk all of the time on the internets or over the phone, but getting to spend the weekend together in a new city is always an added bonus! One thing I love about Fitbloggin – TONS OF FREE HUGS.
I roomed with by buddy Becca and got to spend time with Erica and Shannyn – my roomie and running bud from last year. We all spent a lot of time getting to know each other more and I missed them as soon as we all parted ways! We are already ready to do our next adventure that’s for sure! I also got to see Martinus and Alan and Kimberly and Schnelle as well as meet Tasha and Cassandra and Brendan and Erin and a ton of other peeps! You can never have too many B-lends! 😉
Co-leading a Small Group Discussion: Maintaining the Mojo – Alongside Dubyawife, I helped lead a discussion focusing on Weight Loss/Fitness Journey plateaus – the struggles that come with them and how to break through them as well. The session was packed, which made us UBER happy! Everyone was engaged and discussed many topics related to our overall discussion. The hour FLEW by fast, but it was a great experience and I loved being able to chat with such a group of open individuals! See the recap with a Live Blog of our session HERE.
Co-Teaching Fitness: PiYo meets Insanity– The largest group fitness class I’ve taught is maybe around 5 people or so on average. I have to admit I was a little nervous to teach at Fitbloggin but had EXCITEMENT to tackle those feelings! Katy and I had a blast mixing in a 30 minute PiYo Strength workout with me as her modifier alongside the other 30 minutes of Insanity while she was my modifier. The class did an amazing job stretching and lengthening before having a group sweatfest with Insanity – it being the first of that sort of workout for most in the group!
I was also able to pop into a few sessions to learn some more ways to make my blogging even more effective. The weekend was FULL of Fitness, fun, and love! It’s always sad to leave each other at the end of the long weekend, but it brings people closer and give us such an expanded network of like-minded people to keep in touch with! I’m still on the fence about Denver for 2015 only because of some goals hubby and I have for that year!
Have you been to Fitbloggin? What was your biggest takeaway?
Do you plan to go to Denver next year?
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rooming with you and hanging with you and erica and shannyn was awesome! the people are def what make the conference truly amazing!
Becca recently posted…Ragnar Trails WV Recap
For sure girlie – we had so much fun! xo
Katrina recently posted…Taking it to Savannah – Fitbloggin 2014
Girl it was so good seeing you, loved your recap!! I hated that our sessions overlapped 🙁 I am definitely considering Denver next year!!
It’s ok girlie – I was so happy to see you too! Hoping I can make next year happen, stay tuned!
Katrina recently posted…Taking it to Savannah – Fitbloggin 2014
I loved your session on Maintaining the Mojo – probably the most helpful one I attended since I’ve had an 18 month struggle-fest. It was great meeting you and I really hope to see you in Denver! It wouldn’t be the same without your energy!
I’m to glad to have met you Emily! You’re going to KILL that plateau and it’ll be a distant part in your rearview I’m sure! I really hope to make it!
I enjoyed your workout session. It was my first time doing a class like that and I loved it. I’m a group fitness instructor myself but I found myself learning a lot from you just in how you engaged us and got us pumped up. Thank you!
I definitely will be going to Denver in 2015!
Angela recently posted…Fitbloggin at a glance
So happy you came and enjoyed it – thanks Angela!
I was so sad that our sessions were at the same time. 🙁 I’m on the fence about next year in Denver… so we shall see!
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself) recently posted…Pros + Cons of living in NYC
Great to meet you in person since I’ve been a fan of your blog! I loved the Piyo/Insanity class-it was the hardest workout of the conference! I had done insanity videos before but really preferred the group fitness class atmosphere of it. Next time we meet, I’d love to chat more and go for a run together!
Lauren recently posted…#breathedeeplyandrunchitown-Marathon Training Update
So happy you had fun! I looooovvveeeeeeeee Savannah so much!
Lora recently posted…My 3 favorite yoga poses
Sounds like you had a great time and I am sure you motivated so many people like you do me! 🙂
Nanci @ This Crazy Life of Mine recently posted…July Plank-A-Day Challenge!
I loved hanging out with you! Thanks for making the Slow Ride such a fun experience.
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…FitBloggin’ 2014 Recap
Looks like a great time! Love Savannah
Stacey Merrill recently posted…Tutorial Tuesday – Ten July 4th DIYs
So much fun!! And Savannah isn’t too shabby either 😉
Blog Conferences are my fave! Staying in Savannah would just be an added bonus 🙂 Are you going to FLBlogCon in Orlando? Looks like you had an awesome time, chickie!
Savannah is such a neat city! I ran a race there a few years ago and loved it! Fitbloggin’ looked like so much fun! I would love to be there next year!
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl recently posted…Farewell Run!
Very, very cool. Shhhh. I’ll be in Savannah for RnR in November… how about making that 5 hour drive again?
Looks like you had a blast and met ALL THE PEOPLE. Loved following it on social.
Pavement Runnner recently posted…Giveaway Extravaganza
Great recap Katrina. I was worried that I would not be able to do the Insanity portion of the workout, but with modifications, I did just fine. You were a great instructor. I wish I took more photos. Yours are terrific. Stop by ComebackMomma.com sometime and say hi.
what a great idea to team up and be each other’s modifier! Because I have practiced yoga for so long, I often incorporate my own modifications, and teachers point me out to the class a lot – or say, “Great idea Raffi” and then share modifications when the fact that they exist may have slipped their minds. I believe more people would enjoy working out if they could move up the ranks at their own pace.
Raffi recently posted…Barbara’s Online Jambash
Gee willikers, that’s such a great post!
In the complicated world we live in, it’s good to find simple solutions.
If I were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I’d say “Kowabunga, dude!”
So mad I missed this when it was so close to me.
Just could not get off work.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Running the West Ashley Greenway
I really wish I could have attended this year with it being so close and I love Savannah, but financially I couldn’t make it happen. So glad you had a wonderful experience!
Run DMT recently posted…Random Tuesday Thoughts About #43Gifts, the #BirthdayProject, #43miles and a Knuckle Lights Giveaway!
I’m still so bummed I couldn’t attend this year. I am def looking at going next year. Denver is a great location too!
Haley @ Running with Diapers recently posted…California Baby Product Review
I SHOULD BE IN one if not MORE of those photos!!!! DUMB! LOL!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Traversing Los Angeles with Stacy! #ChevyFitTrip
It was SO fabulous meeting you at FitBloggin this year! You rocked out your Insanity class. I would have never guessed you hadn’t taught for a class that size before. You did great! I really liked how you guys were each others’ modifiers – that was very helpful. Anywho, hope to see you again soon!
Diana recently posted…FitBloggin 2014 – My Day 2 Recap
You too mama! I’m so happy you were there and we were able to connect!
Loved being your liveblogger and getting to meet you in Savannah! Hoping to make it to Denver.
Bari recently posted…Meal Monday: Cranberry and Kale Turkey Burgers #recipe
Hello Kat! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog. I’m on a quest to lose 160 pounds, and being able to read everyone’s recaps of FitBloggin ’14 has been SO inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
It was so great to see you at FitBloggin and I loved getting to take your Insanity class. I sweated it out like crazy! xoxo
Jesica @rUnladylike recently posted…Heart Rate Training & Vo2 Max Testing
You too girlie! Haha wish you could come to my classes here!