INSTRUCTOR OF THE MONTH - AUSTRALIA (April 2024)
In this new regular feature, we're highlighting Instructors from Australia and Southeast Asia who demonstrate exemplary commitment to ongoing education and upskilling, having regularly attended Quarterly Workshops, purchasing Quarterly Release Kits, attending events, and completing Advanced Training. 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 Lisa-Marie Draper from Adelaide.
The early days
As a child, Lisa-Marie was obsessed with sport and as a teenager she got into skateboarding. “I used to skate in loads of competitions and I ended up picking up some shoe and clothing sponsors,” she explains. “I got to travel around the world doing it! Anyone who skateboards more than five minutes will know that with skating, comes injuries, which often follows by a few broken bones - for me, it was broken ankles, a dislocated shoulder, and then when I tore my ACL and needed a knee reconstruction, my competitive skateboarding was over. But it opened up the doors to gym and group fitness because my rehabilitation was all centred around low impact strength and cardio training - so I found myself in a lot of BODYPUMP and RPM classes!”
Lisa-Marie's earliest memories of Les Mills was when she started at a gym right after she finished high school. “The BODYPUMP® instructor - Julie - was soooo friendly and uplifting. I always felt that my day was better for attending her classes!” she says.
As an adult, Lisa-Marie became a school teacher, and not long after she decided to complete Certificates 3 and 4 in Fitness, to pursue work in the fitness industry. “I signed up for my BODYPUMP training and my friend from work, Shane, offered me endorsement through his gym, Zone Health and Fitness. I didn't have much confidence in myself AT ALL starting out, but I was super passionate and determined to be able to play a role in helping people get fit and strong.”
Being a Les Mills Instructor
Lisa-Marie says the best part about being an Instructor is the people! “They're what it's all about for me. We get paid to show up - but our participants CHOOSE to come. They dedicate two to four per cent of their day to our class. I always think if there's 15 people in say, my one-hour BODYPUMP class, that's 15 hours of time that those people accumulatively are investing into themselves. What an insane privilege that is! I get to input into all of these lives and, potentially, help create the most positive part of people''s days. This is super humbling but also by far the most satisfying part about being an Instructor, for me.”
To anyone who has or is entertaining the idea of becoming an Instructor, Lisa-Marie says, “If you've been imagining yourself up on the mic while you've been in other Instructor's classes, that's usually the first sign! To be honest, becoming an Instructor is SUPER challenging but INSANELY rewarding. It has helped me grow into the person, mum, wife, friend, teacher and unique individual I am today. I am more confident, more accepting, more level-headed and more connected to reality.”
“Do it afraid, stay committed, and enjoy becoming the newer and improved version of you!” she adds.
The value of Quarterly Workshops
“Going to Workshops is a game-changer!” says Lisa-Marie. “Obviously, we get to connect and network with all our group fitness Instructor mates, who we would probably never have the time to, otherwise, do so. We also experience the new Releases as a participant, which is really important before we launch them to our club members, because that enables us to do so more authentically. Workshops educate us on how our programs are evolving and how to embrace the changes. But also, and I think most importantly, Workshops keep fuelling our passion for group fitness; they help to keep our standards high; they remind us of quality class experiences, and inspire us to help facilitate that for our members”
“What I like most about In-Person Workshops is definitely the opportunity for connection. I love the way my Les Mills circle keeps broadening over time. I love that I see the same people I did my Initial Training, AIMs and Advanced Trainings with - we all went through a lot together during training, and you just get each other because of that. I also love meeting newer Instructors and making them feel welcome into the team, to help spark that same life-long passion that has kept me in the game for nearly 15 years!”
Lisa-Marie also appreciates the benefits that come with Online eWorkshops. “I really like that I don't have to leave my house (or my couch!) to watch them! I have participated with eWorkshops plenty of times but there've been times I have taught a Saturday morning double, and have an hour before I have to head off and coach a basketball game, so sitting down with a coffee and watching Wendy and Jako teach BODYPUMP or Dallas and Jacqui teach LES MILLS SPRINT® is a massive treat! When I'm at home, I can really tune into the coaching and take in different and new ways of saying things. I think we'd all be lying if we said we weren't sick of our own coaching sometimes! Variety is everything and not coaching the same classes in the same way all the time can really make all the difference to our participants!”
Learning Quarterly Release Kits
Lisa-Marie uses the Quarterly Release Kits for education and she enjoys reading the info Les Mills provides behind their programs. “The science and evidence backing up the education they provide, gives me confidence in my coaching. It allows me to deliver that same information in my classes to benefit my participants, and it helps keep things fresh,” she says.
“Quarterly Releases have become somewhat easier to learn after 15 years, but for me, the most efficient way of learning (and retaining) choreography, is to write it out. I use highlighters and colour code the different tempos (e.g., 2/2s in blue and singles in green). I also clearly show the blocks of work, which my brain finds harder to understand from notes on a screen. I read once that using different colours in our notes allows our brains to see patterns more clearly and can help us retain more information more efficiently - I definitely agree!”
Future plans
“My goal posts have definitely shifted over the years,” says Lisa-Marie, reflecting on her Instructor ambitions for the future. “I am continuing to work on authenticity and keeping it real because every time I step up and put on the mic, I recognise the incredible opportunity I have, to not only coach a quality class, but to also meet people where they're at, just as they are.”
She adds, “I am committed to being relatable and to coaching realness. Not everyone who comes to classes is in pursuit of a six-pack or influencer body. Some just want to be accepted where they're at in their journey, right now.. You never know what people are going through - I've heard of some crazy stories over the years that some of my participants have gone through but have still committed to coming into class because it's their saving grace; it's what gets them through their day.”
“Mental Health has always been a huge part of why I teach group fitness, and I've learned that sometimes my lowest days, mentally, is when my real and relatable coaching lands the most. Getting strong and fit is amazing, but without mental strength and resilience, nothing else matters! I love helping to build confidence in people so they have the guts to face their life's challenges, whatever they may be!”
Final words
“Don't ever feel like you're doing it alone in this overwhelming journey that is life. If you are experiencing hardship, going through a lot, I can absolutely GUARANTEE that others are too. Reach out when things get hard. Troubles shared can be troubles halved. Get some classes covered if you need to. It shows our members that we're human and it highlights that we need time away to fill our own cups sometimes. When we're real about our struggles, it allows others to do the same. Transparency breeds transparency. Being a role model, both physically and mentally, will keep us in the group fitness game for the long haul and, let's face it, the world needs more of us! I'm only a DM away if you ever wanna chat!”
Lisa-Marie can be found on Instagram @lisamarizzle and @lesmillsmemers
If you're ready to help more people fall in love with fitness, just like Lisa-Marie, then explore becoming 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.
