INSTRUCTOR OF THE MONTH – SOUTHEAST ASIA (June 2024)
In this new regular feature, we’re highlighting Instructors from Australia and Southeast Asia who demonstrate exemplary commitment to their Les Mills Instructor career (i.e., consistently buying new Releases and attending Quarterly Workshops, training and events). And thanks to our friends at Fitness Audio, each featured Instructor receives a microphone case and belt valued at $75. This month, we’re featuring Nguyễn Minh Hiển (Henry) from Vietnam.
Tell us about your journey to become a Les Mills Instructor
I was influenced by the classes of Reagan Kang and Judy King, and with the support of California Fitness and Yoga Centre (who helped me nurture my passion to become an Instructor), I became certified to teach both BODYCOMBAT® and RPM by the time I was 19 years old.
BODYCOMBAT was my first program; I adore martial arts, and BODYCOMBAT allows us to combine the moves with awesome music, so this program became my first love.
Being a young Gen Z Instructor, my mum paid for my first Initial Training (IT); and she’s continued to support and encourage my fitness career ever since.
I got certified in RPM as my second program. I chose RPM because of the music and the creative freedom in that particular program. My IT for RPM turned out to be the very next day after Quarterly Workshops, so I ended up doing five days of training in a row! That’s an experience I will never forget!
From the day I discovered Les Mills programs, I felt their professionalism and wanted to share them with many relatives and members. Les Mills workouts are not only designed to change the body, they also create a special fitness community by bringing together different people, good music, and diverse exercises via many different programs. They’re all such excellent whole-body aerobics workouts, which are wonderful for fat-burning, relieving tension, and enhancing coordination.
I work at California Fitness and Yoga Centre as a full-time Instructor, where I teach two RPM classes, three BODYCOMBAT classes, and four freestyle classes each week. After seven years of working there, I am also now a BODYCOMBAT Mentor.
Being an Instructor makes me feel like a performer – we get to combine science-backed movements with great music and share it from the stage with 60 to 70 other individuals at a time.
How does being a young Gen Z Instructor makes your classes different?
Being younger enables me to contribute vitality, openness, and a willingness to learn in all my classes. Like me, my members are also LES MILLS-addicted! They often share their emotions and feelings with me, and together we convey wonderful energy during each class. My members always welcome me and are pleasant and honest, which I love.
I like sharing in the wisdom of and essential principles from other Les Mills Instructors, and due to my limited life experience (compared to older Instructors), I always welcome both positive and negative feedback about my classes. I feel doing so helps me to keep improving and growing. This commitment to ongoing self-improvement is something I also recommend that other young Instructors.
In addition to teaching, Henry also does some modelling for local brands in Hanoi. “My goal is to hone all of my skills in fashion and fitness,” he says.
As an Instructor of the Month, you have shown a consistent commitment to attending Quarterly Workshops. What do you enjoy most about Workshops?
Every quarter, I try to attend the Workshops to meet, exchange, learn many new things from Presenters, and to work out with all the Instructors across the country.
California Fitness always organises great launch events after Workshops, which always helps ensure that my colleagues and I can bring the best new workouts directly to our members.
Attending Quarterly Workshops also helps us unite as a team, as we experience the new Releases together.
What do you like most about In-Person Workshops?
In-Person Workshops allow me to communicate with colleagues from all around the country. I especially love having the opportunity to meet Presenters from different nations and exchanging our teaching experiences, whilst updating our skills.
Workshops expand my coaching experience and increase my motivation (coaching Layer 3). It’s not like when you watch the Masterclass video only; you can feel the presence and appreciate the moments when attending and experiencing the new Releases in person.
What do you like about Online eWorkshops?
The Online eWorkshops are suitable for people who can't arrange their time to attend live, or their city is too far away from the In-Person Workshops. I attended eWorkshops when the In-Person Workshops date coincided with a business trip. I was able to still practise, update my teaching skills, and experience the new Releases. It was incredibly convenient!
What do you find most helpful about the Quarterly Release Kits?
The Quarterly Release Kits include new emotions and exercises to help us Instructors continue our journey of helping members synchronise their moves to music, and reduce their stress, which is very important these days.
What can Instructors do to learn new Releases efficiently and effectively?
My recommendation is to try and watch the new Release Masterclass video over and over again. The more you watch it, the more you’ll see things that you may not pick up in the first one or two viewings.
Also, make sure you watch the Education videos/sessions, to learn the new information, explore suitable coaching choices, and ensure you move in the right direction while teaching the new Releases. It’s also a great idea to spend a lot of time practising!
What is your favourite quote?
‘Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking: “What’s in it for me?”’
What is the plan for your Les Mills future?
What I wish in the future is to be able to support and accompany Les Mills to build a growing community in Vietnam and around the world. Personally, I hope to keep teaching until I’m elderly, and so I will continue to practise every day!
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming an Instructor but who doesn't quite feel ready?
Stop doing what you ‘should’ do and turn your thoughts into action… because you will see the magic!
You can follow Henry on Facebook or if you’d like to help more people fall in love with fitness – just like Henry – explore how to become a Les Mills Instructor at www.lesmills.com.au/instructors.
If you or someone you know has a passion for teaching Les Mills programs and a consistent history of buying new Releases and attending Quarterly Workshops, then you can submit a nomination for Instructor of the Month. To do so, simply email your name and Customer ID to marketing@lesmills.com.au.
