Confessions of a Fitness Instructor

Is it weird that at 28 I’m still talking about what I want to be when I grow up? Or maybe that the person I want to be like when I grow up is actually 5 months younger than me to begin with? Well, either way, when I grow up I want to be like Gina Carano.

Don’t know who Gina is? Well some of you may recognize her from the most recent seasons of American Gladiators on NBC where she was known as “Crush” and was the undefeated champion of the Joust event. In real life, Gina “Conviction” Carano has been the face of women’s MMA (mixed martial arts) for the past few years. What is truly inspirational about Gina is that she only started training in MMA a few years ago (around five I believe) to get in shape herself. Not only did she get in amazing shape, but she went undefeated in her time as a professional fighter up until her last fight with Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos. I’m not hating on Cyborg for beating Gina but really, doesn’t she look a little crazy? Or maybe she’s just been hit one too many times. Seriously she has her own name tattooed on her arm. Who does that? Although I must admit, it would be easier to explain to people how to spell my last name if I could just show them my arm. Maybe she’s on to something here…

(Gina & Cyborg after their pre-fight weigh-in fall 2009)

Back to Gina….as side from being insanely pretty, she is a real women in a knock-you-out, smash you up sport and I respect her for that. Personally, I couldn’t ever fight professionally (or unprofessionally for that matter). Ever since I got that hockey puck in the face while watching a high school hockey game things flying towards my face really freak me out.

Gina really embodies how I would like to look (if I could just stay away from the cake and pizza) as she is the same weight and nearly the same height as me (she’s 5’8”, I’m 5’9”).  She’s fit, she’s strong – she’s not a waif.  I think she is a really great role model to girls and women alike.

So my advice for today is for us women to stop comparing ourselves to the super tiny, waif like stars of Hollywood, and find a “real” role model to be your inspiration. The winter Olympics are coming next month, what a great time to encourage your daughters, nieces, and other young girls in our lives to follow some of the women’s events and encourage them to find an athlete that inspires them. Maybe they’ll be so inspired that they’ll want to take up a new sport, or maybe you’ll be able to re-kindle the love of an old sport, or just exercise in general. While you’re at it, why not find an athlete that inspires you as well? Couldn’t we all use a little more inspiration in our lives?