Hey Ladies,
My name is Michelle Elston and I can't wait to be your instructor!
As my father would say, I studied enough for my whole family! (Neither of my sisters went to post secondary school). It took me a while to figure out exactly what I wanted to do, but I set myself up well for a career of working with people in the fitness industry. In University, I studied Psychology and then in College, I studied Marketing - so I understand people, and how to motivate them! With a job in marketing and an active lifestyle, I decided to take a home study program on Fitness and Nutrition (12 courses) for my own personal interest. This one hit home - it inspired me to volunteer to teach running clinics at the Running Room and that's when I knew I wanted to keep helping people get fit!
Since then I have received Personal Trainer, Nutrition and Wellness Specialist and Pre-Post Natal Specialist certifications from Can-Fit-Pro, a Spinning Instructor certification from Mad Dogg, and a BOSU Integrated Balance Training certification from Twist Conditioning. I still enjoy learning as much as I can about what's new in fitness and nutrition!
My fitness regime has certainly changed over the years - from gym enthusiast (aerobics, cardio machines, weights) to recreational cyclist (mountain and road) to runner and in-home exerciser. As my life has changed, so too has my approach to fitness and nutrition but it has always been a priority. I have gone through periods where I was less diligent than others at keeping up my healthy habits, but I have certainly learned that I feel my best inside and out when physical fitness and good nutritional habits are a part of my regular routine - I have more energy, find everyday things easier, get less illnesses, cope with stress better and, in general, have a more positive outlook on life.
Fitness has always been a part of my life more because it feels good, rather than because of how it makes me look. It is time for me to think or not to think, it is my stress release and it helps me unwind and relax. In 2002 I wanted to take my fitness to a new level - I wanted to run my first marathon - I also wanted to get pregnant. I accomplished both goals, but it wasn't exactly how I hoped it would be. I finished the marathon, but not within my time goal - I made a lot of mistakes in the race and suffered through it. I got pregnant shortly thereafter and was thrilled but miscarried at 11 weeks. I had gained weight in my first trimester and then gained even more in the depression that followed after. I wasn't very "in the know" during this pregnancy and everyone kept telling me I couldn't do this and couldn't do that - I felt paranoid and confused. I had practically stopped running and exercising and when I thought I was doing "all the right things" and lost the pregnancy anyway, I was very frustrated. It took me a couple of months to snap out of it and do something positive. I vowed to become stronger than I had ever been, learn all I could about pregnancy (especially fitness related) and get back in the game! I did get stronger than ever - I lost 20 pounds, got really toned, looked my best and felt great! I also ran some of my fastest races ever - I achieved times I did not know I was capable of and, one year after suffering through my first marathon, I ran marathon #2 and shaved 45 minutes off my time!! I came pretty close to qualifying for Boston and I beat my husband!
When I was pregnant with my first child (my second pregnancy) I really wanted to stay active through the pregnancy. I knew it was OK because I had done my homework this time but when I went looking for things like maternity exercise clothes and a jogging stroller, I was met with such negativity (oh you really shouldn't exercise when you are pregnant, and you should not jog with your child or you will cause brain damage). It was really discouraging! Rather than let it get me down, it made me more determined - not only for myself but it gave me a strong desire to connect with other women - to educate them, inspire them and help them achieve their goals. Women these days are trying to balance so much and being active is not only healthy and help us cope with stress, anxiety, depression, hormonal fluctuations - it is also simply time for YOU which is soooo important and so easily forgotten and it can be FUN. It really feels good to feel good and I enjoy helping people tap into that. We are women, we are strong and we deserve to be all that we can be!
I believe deeply in the connection between our physical and mental well-being. This is why my philosophy on fitness is that getting fit not only improves your physical health but your mental wellness as well. So, getting fit isn't primarily about how you look, it is about improving health and feeling great - if you have that, you will look good no matter what!
A lot of people shy away from exercise because they think of it as work instead of something fun or enjoyable; many that do exercise do it because they feel they have to not because they want to. To me getting fit and staying fit for life has to be about having fun or it won't last. I always run with a smile on my face and encourage my clients to do the same during every workout. It is amazing how that little shift in our musculature can shift our spirit, our attitude and make whatever we are doing more enjoyable.
There are many ways to exercise and to approach exercise - I believe everyone can find something active they enjoy if they give in to the moment, allow themselves to feel their power, the energy and the joy - this will empower them, allow them to embrace it for life and make it more of a priority.
When I found Booty Camp Fitness I felt like I was home! Why? Because I am passionate about fitness and like to have fun with it (and show others how much fun a little hard work can be), I like to push myself and others beyond what they believe they are capable of (to show them that they are capable!), I love to be outdoors (this is one of the reasons I love to run so much!) as it is refreshing and exhilarating, and I have a strong desire to help women be all they can be - put it all together and you've got just what I found in Booty Camp. I am very excited to be a part of the team and I look forward to whipping some booty into bikini shape and more than that, help people find renewed ENERGY!
I have always been active and a little was never quite enough! I grew up in the country and my feet and my bike were my recreation and my transportation. I started "exercising" for fitness at age 14 when I joined the community YM-YWCA to do weights, cardio machines and fitness classes. It was always 45 minutes on the bike and then another 45 on the stairmaster, or not just 1 class, but 2 in a row, or bike there and back with a workout in between - just keep me moving and I was happy! Then in college I was too broke to join a gym and that is when I started to run. Now running is my addiction. It's been 14 years since I started running and I have taken part in countless 5 & 10k races, a few triathlons, a few duathlons (including a half ironman distance), over a dozen half marathons and 5 marathons (even qualified for Boston but then got pregnant so there's a challenge ahead!), I find setting a goal race really helps keep me committed to running and helps me improve my performance as well by giving me a challenge to work towards. And it is always so inspiring to see people of all athletic levels and of all sizes and ages participating along side me.
Outside of Booty Camp, I am first and foremost a mother of two wonderful (and very active!) young boys. Being a mom has changed me so much - I am overwhelmed by how much love a person can feel for another and I am amazed every day as I watch them grow, learn and just be. My kids have been (and are) my greatest teachers and I am so happy to be giving them as much time as I can while I can. Besides, it gives me an excuse to do fun kid stuff again ;)
I have a couple of other jobs as well... I have been teaching running clinics at the Running Room for over 5 years and I love leading groups - people of different ages and capabilities - through a progressive training program and watching them achieve their goals. I also work with individual clients part-time through my own business, ENERGIZE Fitness & Nutrition.
When I am not working these jobs, I enjoy being in the great outdoors - camping, hiking with my dog, playing at the park with my kids, swimming, canoeing, biking, walking around and seeing the sights that surround us wherever we may be.
I'm much more than just an 'employee'. I own the Orleans Boot Camp Licensed Location (similar to a franchise). As the owner of my "Licensed Location" I share in the responsibility of creating a valuable experience for you and all my recruits, and am 100% compensated via profit sharing.
Give yourself the gift of having a Orleans personal trainer today, by joining MY Orleans Boot Camp and receive group Orleans personal training at a fraction of the cost. I'm 100% committed to my Licensed Location being fun, you getting super fit, and you meeting some other fabulous women!
