Growing up, my parents were always active, instilling in me a love for sports and exercise that has shaped my adult life. Today, as a yoga teacher, I owe much of my athleticism and dedication to them. My message to my students is clear: you don’t need to start young to succeed in fitness; consistency is key.
When I embarked on my journey as a yoga instructor four years ago, I frequently encountered the question, “How did you get started?” Initially, I found it surprising, as physical activity had always been a part of my life. My parents, both avid athletes, encouraged my siblings and me to explore various sports from a young age. We tried everything from tee-ball to karate, horseback riding to weightlifting. If we showed interest, our parents made sure we could pursue it. Although I took breaks or switched activities occasionally, the drive to stay active never waned.
My parents’ enthusiasm for fitness significantly influenced my perspective on self-care. My father, once a pole vaulter on the track team, now maintains his strength through daily stretching and lifting due to his physically demanding job as a mechanic. My mother, a former cheerleader, continues to dance and practices Zumba, either in person or online. She’s also game to try new activities, like rock climbing, when her children coax her into it.
The crucial difference was that my parents didn’t just preach the importance of exercise; they participated alongside us. My mother would join us roller skating, and my father spent weekends teaching me to pitch when I shifted my focus from cheerleading to softball. Their active involvement made fitness a family affair, fostering a lifelong commitment to physical activity.
I discovered yoga at 13, driven by a desire to enhance my cheerleading skills. Attending cheerleading camp revealed a potential career as a National Cheerleader Associate (NCA) camp counselor—a dream job I pursued for six years. Despite not achieving this dream, the training in weightlifting, yoga, and gymnastics ingrained a routine of exercise that I carried forward into adulthood.
When asked how I got started, my initial response was, “Oh, I just started as a kid,” which often left people feeling disheartened. They would follow up with, “Why should I start now when I’m behind?” I realized my response needed to change. Now, I tell them, “When you start isn’t important; sticking with it is what matters.” The focus should be on consistency, not on when the journey begins.
My parents taught me that pursuing passions and maintaining them for as long as they bring joy is what counts. Starting young is not a prerequisite for an active lifestyle. With today’s resources, like YouTube, anyone can access countless tutorials and courses, making it easier than ever to find and stick with an activity they love.
Ultimately, you don’t need athletic parents to live an athletic life. My parents’ legacy is not just their own physical activity but the lesson that dedication and joy in movement are the true foundations of fitness.
