In 2023, 19 members of the Les Mills Asia Pacific Trainer and Presenter team were selected by Les Mills International, to be part of the Masterclass filming at LES MILLS LIVE Los Angeles in July of that same year. With over 80 members from our team having applied for the opportunity to be involved, this selection is considered a large cohort from the one region, making it a very significant accomplishment and one that Les Mills Asia Pacific is super proud about. We caught up with some of the team, who shared their incredible experiences and insights. This is what they had to say...
Pete Peterson (LES MILLS SPRINT #RELEASE 33)
Pete Peterson is a BODYPUMP®, LES MILLS GRIT ®, THE TRIP® and LES MILLS SPRINT® Presenter from Australia. He took his SPRINT Initial Module Training (IMT) in 2016 (the first ever Release!) and successfully became a Presenter in 2018. LES MILLS LIVE LOS ANGELES was Pete's first Masterclass filming experience.
LMAP: Tell us about your filming experience in LA
PP: It was a beast of a machine! The support from everyone, experienced and new to the process, was incredible. Everything was team-focused whilst still allowing everyone to stay true to themselves. The energy from the participants was next level, and the amazing work from everyone behind the scenes was a testament to their dedication to helping produce a high-quality product! There is no stone unturned in the organisation, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have been involved.
LMAP: What was your biggest learning/takeaway from the experience?
PP: Know your job and do it well. Trust the feedback given along the way will not only make the program shine – it will also give you space to lean into your strengths.
LMAP: What filming or preparation tips did you receive?
PP: How to be present for each of the different audiences that the filming is prescribed for, and how to coach each of them. Thanks for that one, Glen!
LMAP: What is your advice to Instructors who want to one day appear in a Release/filming?
PP: Do the work and do it again and again! Look for feedback from people you trust who will help you move towards being the biggest and best version of yourself. Know what you do well and how it makes you a rockstar on stage. Also, know what needs work and then explore ways to develop your strengths in this space. Most of all, be patient and don't compare yourself to another person's journey. Just focus on your own and make sure you take some time to enjoy the ride.
LMAP: What was the most unexpected or exciting part of your filming experience?
PP: I am drawn to observing the different things people do in those moments just before going on stage. The little things they do to help them get in the essence and state of mind that I talk about a lot.
LMAP: What is your advice to someone who is considering becoming a Les Mills Instructor?
PP: Open the door and walk through. You never know what's on the other side and that can be scary. That curiosity though, will most definitely lead you down a new path. At the absolute minimum, you will learn so much about yourself and, surely, that has to be a plus!
Jackie Barron (#LES MILLS TONE #RELEASE 23)
Jackie Barron is a LES MILLS TONE® Presenter from Australia. She took her TONE IMT in 2021 and successfully became a Presenter in 2022. LES MILLS LIVE LOS ANGELES was her first Masterclass filming experience.
LMAP: Tell us about your filming experience.
JB: Being completely immersed in the world of Les Mills, rehearsing and learning with some of the best coaches and Presenters in the business, and connecting with and making new instructor friends from around the world – it was the experience of a lifetime!
LMAP: What was your biggest learning/takeaway from the experience?
JB: We are all the same basic human beings at the end of the day – we all have nerves, insecurities and feelings of doubt. But when we come together like this, we can achieve incredible things. We are all far more capable than what we think.
LMAP: What filming or preparation tips did you receive?
JB: Diana is an incredible and inspirational coach; she absolutely lit up the room when she came in to coach us on our movement and technique. Khiran is super laid back and gave us confidence by just believing in us from the start. Rob Lee made sure we knew our technique inside and out. And KaylaBlayr made very sure we weren’t to touch our hair/face/clothes/fidget! 🤣
LMAP: What is your advice to Instructors who want to one day appear in a Release/filming?
JB: Keep working hard to be the best you can be. Take all the opportunities to improve, big or small, and say yes to everything, especially the things that are out of your comfort zone! That’s how we develop and grow, and we just never know where things will lead.
LMAP: What was the most unexpected or exciting part of your filming experience?
JB: The rehearsals were as much fun (if not more) than the filming itself! Working with people whom we have admired for a long time was an absolute privilege; watching them take to the stage and transform with their athleticism and coaching, and outside of movement and rehearsing just getting to chat about ordinary things too. I loved being backstage before and after the filming and getting to chat with Presenters from other programs too. Every single person there has something amazing to bring, and it was an honour to be part of that.
LMAP: What is your advice to someone who is considering becoming a Les Mills Instructor?
JB: DO IT! Don’t second-guess yourself. It’s an incredible journey and it will inevitably change your life.
Jennifer Shook (BODYSTEP #RELEASE 133)
Jennifer Shook is a BODYSTEP® Presenter from Australia. She took her BODYSTEP IMT in 2014 and successfully became a Presenter in 2022. LES MILLS LIVE LOS ANGELES was her first Masterclass filming experience.
LMAP: Tell us about your filming experience.
JS: It was a whirlwind in the best way possible. Meeting the BODYSTEP team and working together over days of rehearsal was so much fun; and it was so special I got to share it with Shiv and Michael as well! Having the LMAP team all supporting each other is what truly made it special!
LMAP: What was your biggest learning/takeaway from the experience?
JS: Practice and preparation make perfect! By the time we’d workshopped our script and rehearsed together, I knew the words would come out as I wanted them to. I was nervous and excited but not about my teaching portion. Being prepared (and the months of feedback beforehand) meant I could enjoy the time on the stage, which went all too quickly!
LMAP: What was the most unexpected or exciting part of your filming experience?
JS: How quickly it all went. I expected the nerves and the semi-sleepless nights beforehand, but as soon as we came off stage, I wanted to do it all again! It was surreal and so so so much fun!
LMAP: What is your advice to someone who is considering becoming a Les Mills Instructor?
JS: Take the leap and do it! Being a Les Mills Instructor has led me to meet the most incredible people; it has been such a fulfilling experience! I have absolutely no regrets, and as soon as you become certified in one program, you want to do them all!
Hieu Nguyen Ba (‘BH’) (BODYJAM #RELEASE 106)
BH is a SH’BAM® Presenter from Vietnam. He took his first IMT in 2016 and successfully became a Presenter in 2022. BH refers to LES MILLS LIVE LOS ANGELES as his “first time for everything!”
LMAP: Tell us about your filming experience.
BH: It was a magnificent experience in LaLa Land – Hollywood! It was also a significant week in which Global Summit x LES MILLS LIVE LOS ANGELES filming happened at the same time. For me, it was exactly like the Grammy x Oscars, having the two biggest events on earth at once! Inconceivable! I had the time of my life, with a marvellous chance to meet, learn and work with the other Les Mills Presenters from around the world. I am forever grateful for this. I also received the biggest in-person support from Amanda Breen, my first Les Mills Trainer Ken Mun, my Singaporean and Vietnamese Instructors, and my fellow LMAP Trainers and Presenters. What else could I ask for? The world-class production process was just WOW, from the stage rehearsal team to the styling team, to the glam gals, to the backstage team, everyone was amazing! Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! PS. The schedule was unbelievable tidy – rehearsal at 6AM was the THING!
LMAP: What was your biggest learning/takeaway from this filming experience?
BH: Experience is far more valuable than fears or limiting beliefs. I have learnt this phrase – "Mauria te pono", which means ‘believe in yourself’.
LMAP: What filming or preparation tips did you receive?
BH: A very lovely, powerful tip from Gandalf (G) was, “Relax, be present and enjoy!” I think mental pressure is one of the issues for everyone. So, G created of warm cozy session for us to create DIY bracelets! He brought us a lot of cutie letter beads and charms, and he also taught us to make a knot. Our team was so concentrated on making the bracelet, laughing, making jokes and connecting with each other, and this had a huge impact on us to keep the spirit of optimism, comfort and to have a connection, which empowered us to slay the stage in the USA!
LMAP: What is your advice to Instructors who want to one day appear in a Release/filming?
BH: I was given some advice from the New Zealand team, which resonated with me:
- Tēnā Koutou – What if one day, profit can’t be earned from this job. Will you give up?
- Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui – Be strong, be brave, be steadfast
LMAP: What was the most unexpected or exciting part of your filming experience?
BH: It was G’s birthday celebration that came up after Track 02. Everyone was singing and praising a special moment. It made this experience that much more unforgettable! What a precious memory!
LMAP: What is your advice to someone who is considering becoming a Les Mills Instructor?
BH: If you are in love with fitness, Les Mills is a top-notch in this industry. Being a Les Mills Instructor allows you to access the prestigious and prevalent resource that benefits your fitness journey/"mahi". Being a Les Mills Instructor is not something to consider; it is something to remember! Will you give our team a hand to together make this earth a fitter and healthier planet?
Jordan Kelly (BODYJAM #RELEASE 106)
Jordan Kelly is a SH’BAM® Presenter from Australia. He took his SH’BAM upskill in 2011 and successfully became a Presenter in 2014. LES MILLS LIVE LOS ANGELES was his first Masterclass filming experience, although, he did shadow on stage at the Sydney filming for SH’BAM Release 39.
LMAP: Tell us about your filming experience
JK: It was such a surreal and exciting experience. A dream come true after 22 years of teaching the program. I loved the lead-up to the filming week and then the process of filming week. The atmosphere was out of this world, and it was such an honour to not only be part of it, but to see my fellow Aussie teammates excelling in their programs. I also loved meeting new friends from all over the world.
LMAP: What was your biggest learning/takeaway from this filming experience?
JK: To focus and trust myself. That the team has your back. And also, to take the experience of the actual Masterclass filming all in, let it settle, and enjoy every moment because it all goes by very quickly.
LMAP: What filming or preparation tips did you receive?
JK: I did indeed, from the amazing House. He was there to always prepare me up and give me tips to keep me focused. Plus, Danni was a great support in keeping my nerves in check.
LMAP: What is your advice to Instructors who want to one day appear in a Release/filming?
JK: Work hard, be consistent, stay confident and don’t give up. It took me quite a few years, but the universe gave me the chance when it knew I was ready.
LMAP: What was the most unexpected or exciting part of your filming experience?
JK: Backstage team bonding on the day of filming, which involved bracelet-making, thanks to G! The most exciting part was the moment I got my outfit and mic on for the first time, and got to practice on stage; that’s when it hit me that it was real!
LMAP: What is your advice to someone who is considering becoming a Les Mills Instructor?
JK: Do it! If you have the passion and want to inspire and help others, then do it. Do the work and take on the challenge. It’s worth it.
