People & Companies that inspired me in 2011
I tried to think of all the fitness related people and companies that inspired me in 2011 that I’m excited to be a part of in 2012. I am sure I am leaving some stuff out but here are some of the highlights:
- The “Ed Foundation” raises money for the Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District to help with programming for Arts, Athletics, and Academics. I met Linda, the Executive Director in 2008 when I approached her about doing a 5K race to help raise funds for the School District. As many things in life, it always takes longer to happen but this past year the SM5000, a race that Generic Events has been producing helped raise about $40K for SMMEF!
- 2012: The SMMEF is growing and I’m excited to be on one of the new committees that has been formed. We are also looking for students that love to:
- plan events (help with events that the Education Foundation will be producing this year)
- take pictures (help us with various projects we need students to capture pictures for)
- produce, edit or write short scripts for a video series (perfect for aspiring film makers)
- be on camera (we need student testimonials and questions/answers on video)
- Email us if interested!
- Its signature K-SWISS “CLASSIC,” the first leather tennis shoe, made its debut at Wimbledon in 1966, and more than 40 years later, is still a style staple both on and off the court. It opened its first retail shop in Santa Monica and as a fitness enthusiast it has been incredible watching K-Swiss captivate the local running community and getting to do events with them. I’m a big fan of K-Swiss sneaks and recommend checking them out!
- 2012: Stop by and meet Joe & Mike. Check out their Monday night runs @ 6:30 PM, they are friendly and open to all levels.
- Mega-Celebrity Fitness Trainer and Aerobic Instructor in Hollywood, CA. Dion is one of the most down to earth, humble, grounded people I have met, not just in fitness but in general. He has an amazing energy and aura to him! I first met Dion in 2009 when Lee Fox, the founder of KooDooZ introduced us and he participated in Tour de Fitness. It’s been a fun journey so far and the fun is only getting started!
- 2012:
- Join Dion Wednesdays @ 930 AM @ Universal City Walk.
- Bristol Farms Health Fair Produced by Dion – January 8 @ 10-6. Some of the best in the city of angels will be offering FREE workouts & goodies , myself included!
The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) is a non-profit, voluntary membership corporation formed exclusively to promote the organizing and progress of school, community and statewide programs of health, physical education, recreation and dance.- Executive Director Drisha has been doing amazing things with innovative campaigns like the Global Jumping Jack Initiative, where we got to break the Guinness Book World Record of the most number of people doing Jumping Jacks in 24 hours!
- 2012: Drisha added a golf tournament in memory of Jack LaLanne & fundraiser to the annual CAHPERD conference. Check it out this February in Pasadena.
- As O2 MAX launched phase 1 of its college program, MAX U we got to meet and interact w/
hundreds of college students both locally and online with the help of our College Fitness Experts. We presented at CSUN for SMWLA and got meet Kim Henige. I first connected with her when she worked at USC. She’s doing some amazing things with the Kinesiology Club @ CSUN.
- 2012: Students will be able to participate in programs like MAX U’s Fit Coach Program and get some hands on experience with other students!
I started doing some work with Advertise Purple and one of the brands we are working with is called Electric Yoga. It is the inspiration of designer Michelle Bohbot (XOXO, Bisou Bisou) and launches officially on 1.1.12. As a teen I wore some of her clothing and am excited to watch this female entrepreneur “electrify” Los Angeles and the Yoga community with her new line! 
- 2012: You can start by entering to win a bag from the new line!
- An initiative from Bumble Bee Tuna where individuals can log miles with its innovative BeeWell Miles program where individuals can donate .1o of each mile logged to the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization™
- Beewellforlife.com has been an amazing supporter and partner with the launch of MAXU this past fall. It was fun watching our College Fitness Experts and other runners get inspired by logging miles.
- 2012: Create a FREE account on their site, dedicate your training to someone that may have had breast cancer or just dedicate your miles Period!
30 year & 3,000,000 pounds later, Richard Simmons is still going strong. Yes, he is still around and energizing people of all ages! If you have not ever taken one of his classes you have to! Richard connected me to Drisha and it has been an amazing journey ever since. 
- 2012: Yes-he still teaches and you can take one of his classes. It was SO much fun! He told me I was “even cuter than a mermaid in person.” Thank you Richard for inspiring so many over the year.
This past year the fitness industry and the world lost a very special person. Jack LaLanne was the first health club I ever stepped foot into with my mom. Years later it was the first health club I got to join as a high school senior. Years later I entered the fitness industry and always wanted to meet Jack. Sadly I never got to meet him but have been blessed to get to know Elaine, his wife, and his family. Thank you Drisha for making this dream happen. I look forward to 2012 and continuing to be inspired and carry on his legacy and impact.
Got an inspiring fitness related event to share for 2012? Let me know!
Cheers to an amazing 2012!
-KJ
