Re: My weekend with Billy (Part 1)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/00 6:50:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time, slowens@...

writes:

<< I was humbled this weekend. I thought I

knew a lot about Tae-Bo and what I found out was that I know a little

bit of Tae-Bo, but there's much, much more for me to learn! >>

,

I am so proud of you. I hope you know that. It took so much courage to go to

that camp, and you did it!! I am so thrilled for you that you got to

experience this. And pass or not, you will always be my Tae-Bo hero!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 07/24/2000 6:50:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

slowens@... writes:

<<

who got BL9 and AL9 today......hallelujah.....it seems my problems

have been solved

>>

wow definitely a good sign!!

,

just as got better and better,

he knows everyone has to start somewhere

and that his proteges will eventually get better and better

so as long as you have the spirit, don't worry about the results either way

Barb

who bets saw your spirit and even if you aren't ready this time,

knows it is just a matter of time

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/2000 6:48:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

slowens@... writes:

<< One part of the final exam is a practical demonstration of

the moves where it's sitting up on stage telling you to do

different moves very quickly, or to make up a routine using 4 punches

and 4 kicks, or to explain the difference between this move and that

move, or to teach him how to do a certain punch, or to explain to him

what tae-bo means, etc. It could be anything. He asks questions and

tries to throw you off guard on purpose. He tries to take you out of

your element to see how you handle it. I honestly don't even

remember what he asked me to do. He asked me some questions that

threw me off and I was so nervous and I could feel myself losing

confidence in myself. I made it through and I finished. I did ok,

but it wasn't my best performance.....LOL! Anyway, as I was walking

back to my place to sit, I was fighting back tears and the minute I

sat down they just started falling. I think I cried for the next

hour and a half while everyone else in the class took their turns. I

don't even know why I was crying. Part of it was that I felt

disappointed because I felt I had blown it. Part of it was that I

realized I wasn't ready to teach Tae-Bo even though it's something I

really

want to do. Part of it was just plain old nerves.....I mean,

c'mon....it's Blanks...LOL! And I think part of it was just a

release of emotion that it was finally over! I have been

anticipating this weekend for so long and just being there and

experiencing it all was a bit overwhelming! And I just kept crying.

It kept coming and coming. I couldn't stop! So, I had a bit of a

meltdown....LOL! But, that's OK!

>>

What an experience, . I'm so glad you were able to do it. You are

the perfect taebo student -- so open and willing to learn. I bet loved

that about you. I can't wait to hear more about your trip. What were the

other students like? Did you meet up with AmyBeth? Did anyone help

teach the classes? Who else was there that we might know? I admire you even

more after hearing what you survived. I had no idea the course would be that

difficult.

Elena

[Guest guest]

We get it....we love tae-

bo....and it's in our hearts....and we want to keep it real just like

does

,

You inspire me! Just your own coming to terms with what taebo means to you

is awesome. And its true that taebo is part of all of us. Your being true

to yourself will make you a great instructor, whether you do it tomorrow or

10 years from now, I know that you will succeed in becoming one!

I'm glad to hear about all of your adventures this weekend. I'm glad that

you survived and have such a wonderful attitude about it all!

Jenn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/00 10:50:06 PM !!!First Boot!!!, slowens@...

writes:

<< I've really missed all of you! I'm going to try to catch up on the

messages, but I probably won't be able to respond to all of

them...LOL! It's good to be back. Thank you all for the positive

vibes you sent me.....I really felt them

>>

I'm teary reading this........

your a very blessed person to have experienced this.

wow

lisa

[Guest guest]

Congrats on finishing with a whole new aspect on life and the replenishing of

your soul. I somewhat have an idea of how you must feel. There are a few

people in life that totally inspire me to do and be the person that I am now.

Since I started TB I have reached a new level in my own life re: self esteem

and balance with my family and I could only imagine what kind of inspiration

would be if I could just spend 1 day with him just listening to him

lecture and WOW you got a weekend. I envy you so much and stop doubting your

self I am sure you had what it takes.

P.S.

How did Amybeth do?????

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/00 5:50:13 PM Central Daylight Time, slowens@...

writes:

<< Well, I survived It is so hard for me to even find the words to

express how much this weekend meant to me. I learned so much about

Tae-Bo and even more about myself. >>

I'm so glad you're back!! I missed you! Thanks for sharing your adventure

with us. You are a true inspiration.

Jenni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/00 3:50:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time, slowens@...

writes:

<< I've really missed all of you! I'm going to try to catch up on the

messages, but I probably won't be able to respond to all of

them...LOL! It's good to be back. Thank you all for the positive

vibes you sent me.....I really felt them

>>

I'm so proud of you, ! You rock!

Did you make any friends there? What were the other people like?

I think your email is just beautiful. I'm going to forward it to my SO. He

runs and hasn't tried Tae Bo yet (but would like to at some point). And I

think he would really appreciate what you said.

Yey for ! ))))))))))))))))))))))))

~Kat, who thinks this egroup is WONDERFUL!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/00 6:05:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time, ilvamzn@...

writes:

<< I could only imagine what kind of inspiration

would be if I could just spend 1 day with him just listening to him

lecture >>

He is lecturing tomorrow at 7pm at the WTC. I would go, but I have a

Neurology class.

~Kat, who would skip Neuro but has all ready skipped it this term

[Guest guest]

I was humbled this weekend. I thoughtI knew a lot about Tae-Bo and

what I found out was that I know a little bit of Tae-Bo, but there's

much, much more for me to learn! I could probably wing it and get

through an intro class, but that would be cheating myself as an

instructor and it would be cheating the people who come to my class

as students. And I wouldn't be representing Tae-Bo the proper way.

Does any of this make sense?

!

Hi! That makes PERFECT Sense---And It is THAT That will make you One

of the best instructors for miles....

You should Only teach what you are passionate about--and Your Passion

WILL Get you to that stage...You wouldn't cheat Your Clients as You

will BE THERE!

To acknowledge you are Not ready Means you will continue to Improve

from within..It also Means you will have Sensitivity when Teaching-a

Quality That will Make you the BESTEST TEACHER--now theres a Child

like word!

To be Brought to a Point Of Humbleness Is One of the Greatest

feelings

we feel--IMHO--And it will serve to make you an even better

person--If

that is at all possible.

I am so Pleased that you had Rewarding experience and I am POSITIVE

will see a QUALITY Teacher/Instructor who is dedicated!

Janet

[Guest guest]

,

Remind me to give you a huge hug when I get out to LA. If you don't feel ready

to teach Taebo then don't. I don't know why you feel that way, but really it

doesn't matter. You have been an inspiration to all of us. You are a major

part of the backbone of this group.

If you didn't pass it wasn't because you can't do Taebo iots because those

thoughts you were having about not being ready got in the way. You know you can

go back for cheaper and if you don't pass I know you will.

Maybe the saying " where theres a will there is a way " . As long as your

will to be the best you can be and continually improve at Taebo and one day

teach it is strong. You will.

If it makes you feel better ...whenver spoke to me I felt like I had

something blocking my airways and my brain waves. I only feel like that around

people whom I hold in the ultra highest role model level. (That means about 6

people) Otherwise, you know I am not shy person.

No matter what happens with your certification. You have two missions in

October. To Relax and have fun as much as possible and to be very observant of

the class at the WTC. What can you learn from? What do you disagree with.

No matter what. Rember that we love you very much and many of us would not be so

dedicated to Taebo without your words of encouragement.

Love,

[Guest guest]

,

I hadn't heard anything about a training camp before I went on

vacation. How did you learn about it? How long was the training?

It cost $900+?? Yeesh! Where was it? It sounded like a life-

changing experience. I have no doubt that you will be a certified

instructor...that has his eye on you and is noting your

progress and dedication...so even if you don't get certified this

round, YOU WILL in the not-so-distant future!!!!

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

> Well, I survived It is so hard for me to even find the words to

> express how much this weekend meant to me. I learned so much about

> Tae-Bo and even more about myself. I wish that everyone could

> experience what I did....that everyone could afford to go to a

> training camp (even if you have no aspirations of becoming a tae-bo

> instructor). It would certainly change you. is such an

> incredible person. His spirit is so real and so true. Every time

he

> speaks, you learn something new. And when you are around someone

> like that, you can't help but walk away a changed person.

> .

Hello everyone....my name is AmyBeth.....I am a poster at the Tae-

Bo.com boards....I attended the Training Camp with and I have

always wanted to drop in and see what EGroups is all about....Man I

wish I had done it sooner I only read a few messages here last night

and this morning and you people ROCK....you can feel the true Tae-Bo

spirit at this place.

.....I have only this to say to you in response to your

message about the Training Camp.....

I LOVE YOU

Everything she said I ditto verbatim....I have been unable to

verbalize to anyone.... except my husband in bits and quips..... my

exprience....it was way to emotional....but put it all down

in the most eloquent and perfect way imaginable.

BTW not that I would need to tell any of YOU this....but she made you

guys proud....she represented the Tae-Bo Way with true Tae-Bo

Spirit...she is only wrong about one thing and that is her 50/50

chance...if any of us gets certified will be one of them I

totally agree with her feeling of not being ready but she did have

what it takes and if they pass any of us at all she will be among

them.

Again I love you and your words of the experience are the

ones I would have tried to verbalize myself maybe you could post that

at the LAKE and sign us both hehehehe...again thank you for your LOVE

this weekend....

To all here at the Group your spirit is soaring I can feel it here.

Thank you for the info on how to get here and I hope you guys

will let me stay

Peace

amybeth

[Guest guest]

BTW -- Thanks ETCaroll and for asking about me It meant alot

to see that you gals cared

I did my best

Love to you both....you both give it back (the Love)

peace

amybeth

[Guest guest]

" There is so much more to tell you all, but I've talked enough for

now! I know you guys probably have a million questions for me, so

ask away! I'll do my best to answer them. I'm sure I'll be

remembering different things that happened for days! I'll write more

about it all later. In the meantime, I just wanted to share some of

my thoughts with you and let you all know that I survived...LOL! I

guess it will be about 2-3 weeks until we find out whether or not we

passed!

I've really missed all of you! I'm going to try to catch up on the

messages, but I probably won't be able to respond to all of

them...LOL! It's good to be back. Thank you all for the positive

vibes you sent me.....I really felt them

who got BL9 and AL9 today......hallelujah.....it seems my problems

have been solved "

,

Sounds like you got your money's worth and more! I sometimes wonder why I

have stuck to Taebo and not to any other program...and then I remind myself

that it is more than exercise. has given me the confidence and

motivation to succeed. I really can feel that he cares and he is able to

draw that " will " from me that was missing for so long. I not only do

Taebo, but I have started to do some weight work. I also try to walk as

much as I can.

I can see that he took you to a new level last week and that's great...

Thanks so much for sharing with us!

Take care,

Kathy

______________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello everyone....my name is AmyBeth.....I am a poster at the Tae-

> Bo.com boards....I attended the Training Camp with and I

have

> always wanted to drop in and see what EGroups is all about....Man I

> wish I had done it sooner I only read a few messages here last

night

> and this morning and you people ROCK....you can feel the true

Tae-Bo

> spirit at this place.

>

> BTW not that I would need to tell any of YOU this....but she made

you

> guys proud....she represented the Tae-Bo Way with true Tae-Bo

> Spirit...she is only wrong about one thing and that is her 50/50

> chance...if any of us gets certified will be one of them

I

> totally agree with her feeling of not being ready but she did have

> what it takes and if they pass any of us at all she will be among

> them.

Welcome, AmyBeth! I am so glad you are joining us. You will love

it

here. I am so glad you and had each other in Houston. It

sounded tough! Did tell you that a bunch of here (you've

already met me, , and ) are going to LA to taebo at the

WTC over a long Columbus Day weekend? Join us if you can. It will

be

a blast. We will get a couple of hotel rooms and spend the whole

time

gabbing and taeboing. By the way, , , and I enjoyed

watching you " perform " in the TBTV basic #4. Your husband is a cutie!

Thanks for giving us the real story about 's performance in

Houston. She couldn't disappoint us even if she tried.

Elena, who still would love for AmyBeth to join her in andria one

Saturday for a 2-hour kickboxing class at Bally's.

[Guest guest]

, I can't even express how proud I am of you. I have tears rolling down

my face just reading your message. You are my tae bo hero and you inspire so

many of us. Thank you so much for all you do and for sharing your weekend with

us.

Love,

Phyllis

> Well, I survived It is so hard for me to even find the words to

> express how much this weekend meant to me.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/00 3:50:26 PM Pacific Daylight Time, slowens@...

writes:

<< Well, I survived It is so hard for me to even find the words to

express how much this weekend meant to me. I learned so much about

Tae-Bo and even more about myself. I wish that everyone could

experience what I did....that everyone could afford to go to a

training camp >> <SNIP>

Wow!! Your post was a very powerful one! I honor your attitude of wanting to

learn all you can about Tae Bo, including the martial arts and boxing

aspects. You have inspired me to want to do that myself. I have been wanting

to take a dance class ever since starting Tae Bo, and now after your post, I

want to experience the other elements, as well.

Congratulations on going to the training camp, and remember just the act of

you *going* there makes you a conqueror!!!

[Guest guest]

> I can't wait to hear more about your trip. What were the

> other students like? Did you meet up with AmyBeth? Did anyone

help

> teach the classes? Who else was there that we might know?

Elena,

LOL....I knew you'd have some questions There was a very diverse

mixture of people! You know, I didn't really even think about this

until it was all over, but I didn't really have a chance to get to

know anyone very well. It wasn't because I didn't want to, but

because there really wasn't very much time to sit around and chat

with people. I think there were 15 of us and there were also the 5

instructors from Houston (who I believe were doing there yearly

renewal of their certification). There were 3 guys who have been in

the tapings. One of them was a man I recognized because he was from

Memphis, TN and I remember speaking to him at the tapings (I'm not

sure if he was at the ones we all were at....I think he was). There

was another man who was at the last taping we all were in (the

advanced one where we all threw water on 's head) and I

recognized him because he was standing right in front of me that

class. He was really vocal and had a great spirit.....really fun and

had lots of energy (you guys might remember him....he was an older

gentlemen and he had a goatee....I think he was from Washington DC).

And there was another guy who was also in the tapings that I think I

recognized, but I'm not really sure (he was from San Francisco). A

lot of the men who were there (maybe even all of them) were trained

in Martial Arts! People came from all over. There were 3 girls from

Arkansas, one girl from Tampa, another girl who was originally from

Brazil, but I don't know where she was living here in the US). And I

know I'm leaving people out, but I don't remember right at the

moment.

Of course, I met up with Amybeth...we were staying at the same hotel,

so we had dinner together both nights

The only other instructors

that were there (other than ) were (TQ) and Shellie.

I'm guessing that's because our group was so small. He didn't really

need much help for this one. But when the camps are larger...I think

he'll need more help. Especially on the part where all of us did our

10 minutes of teaching class. By the time we all finished doing our

10 minutes...we had been working out for 3 hours! I'm guessing they

will have to break

people into groups for that part when the classes are larger than

ours and send them in different rooms with the different

instructors. I'm not sure how that part will work when there's a

larger group! On Friday night, for the first class....both Shellie

and where up on stage with as he taught and during the

second class (the one I took) was up on stage again and one

of the Houston instructors was up on stage. And I believe that

Shellie taught the class after that on Friday night, but I didn't

stay for that one. On Saturday morning......Joe Elliston (a Houston

instructor) taught the 7am class. taught the 8am class (and a

bunch of us who were there for the training camp took that class) and

I think was up on stage and a Houston instructor, but I'm

not sure about that....(Amybeth....correct me if I'm wrong). We

weren't required to take that class...the class we were required to

take was the 11 am intro class taught by . Shellie taught the

9am class (and I think it was the Houston trainers up on stage) and

taught the 10 am class (don't remember who was up on stage

during that one), but Shellie was in the back towards the end of the

class and she was REALLY into it.....she was definitely feeling the

music...LOL! She was singing and just going at it with non-stop

intensity....it was amazing to watch!

Also, this was really an amazing thing to witness....on Sunday after

one of our breaks, turned on the music and just started doing

different moves and things...like he was practicing. And then he got

one of the standing bags and him and Shellie were doing stuff

together on the bag (like they were doing a tae-bo combat class).

They were both just dancing around the bag doing different moves and

stuff. I took pictures, but there was a mirror right behind them, so

I'm not sure they will come out (same with my picture with

....not sure how it will turn out since we were standing in

front of a mirror). It was really special to watch and Shellie

interacting that way!

The only other person who was there that you guys would recognize was

his bodyguard, Trevor. At least, that's all that I can remember who

was there at this moment! Good thing Amybeth joined our group....she

can correct me if I'm wrong and help me remember the things I'm

forgetting....LOL!

who is going to attempt AL9 this morning and will let you all know

what I think....and then is going to get a full body massage this

afternoon

[Guest guest]

> I envy you so much and stop doubting your

> self I am sure you had what it takes.

>

> P.S.

> How did Amybeth do?????

,

It's not that I am doubting myself. I know that one day I will be a

great tae-bo instructor. It's just that at this moment in time, even

if I pass the certification, I am not yet ready to teach. And

even told us if we pass the certification that if it was him, he

wouldn't teach yet. He'd go down in his basement and really practice

and learn all that he could. It's the breaking it all down and

explaining every single punch and kick that I need to work on. Yes,

I know there are 4 basic punches and 4 basic kicks, but I need to be

able to explain them and the reason behind them a little better and

with a little more confidence than I am capable of right now. It

doesn't mean that I don't think I can....it just means at this moment

in time, I'm not ready.

Amybeth did great! She was amazing and her spirit filled the room

I have no doubt in my mind that she will one day be an incredible tae-

bo instructor

[Guest guest]

> I hadn't heard anything about a training camp before I went on

> vacation. How did you learn about it? How long was the training?

> It cost $900+?? Yeesh! Where was it? It sounded like a life-

> changing experience. I have no doubt that you will be a certified

> instructor...that has his eye on you and is noting your

> progress and dedication...so even if you don't get certified this

> round, YOU WILL in the not-so-distant future!!!!

,

They announced it while you were gone! All the information is on the

main tae-bo page. There are two sneak preview camps....this one I

just went to in Houston....and one this coming weekend in Denver.

The training was for 2 full days (all day Saturday and Sunday). I

believe that come October, he will be announcing a whole list of

places he will be going to hold training camps and I think there are

going to be training camps in LOTS of different cities! It is

expensive, but it is well worth the cost. I would do it again in a

second

Thanks for the kind words! I did my best, so no matter what the

outcome, I will be satisfied

who is so sorry to hear about 's knee and wishes she could come

with us to LA in October

[Guest guest]

>

> He is lecturing tomorrow at 7pm at the WTC. I would go, but I have

a

> Neurology class.

Kat,

mentioned that he gave a seminar once a month at his training

center and I told him that there were a bunch of us coming out there

in October to take classes and asked him how I could find out when he

was speaking (I totally forgot that I have an " in " now on the goings

on at the WTC with you and attending classes all the

time...LOL). He said to give him my name and address and that he

would send me a newsletter that they have, so I did! I don't know if

this is the same newsletter that you sign up for at that new

taeboonline website or not! But, I signed up for that newsletter

awhile ago and never got anything. So, we'll see! But, I would

highly recommend going to one....it's incredible just to sit and

listen to him speak So, maybe it will work out for you to go next

month and you can fill us all in on what it was like

[Guest guest]

,

What an awesome weekend you had with ! Applause to you for

having the courage to go to the training camp! And what a BEAUTIFUL

account you gave of your experience. You gave me a lump in my throat!

You've got the right idea about wanting to keep Tae-Bo pure just

as does and he'd be very proud of you for wanting to keep it

that way. Having that wonderful attitude toward Tae-Bo will

certainly take you places. When it comes right down to it, it's

all about wanting to do it correctly, not just " wanting to do

it " and for the right reasons. The same goes for doing Tae-Bo as

your workout, as well as teaching it.

I can certainly understand the tears you experienced. From time to

time just chokes me up and makes me cry for no reason at all.

It could be a tape I've done many times before, but something

about him screams sincerity. It's just part of who he is.

He's such a genuine person and his love just radiates so strongly

from him.

<<I was humbled this weekend. I thought I knew a lot about Tae-Bo and

what I found out was that I know a little bit of Tae-Bo, but there's

much, much more for me to learn!>>

Reminds me of something I recently posted on the main board:

" The toughest lesson to learn is probably the one you thought you

already learned. " You're going to do great in whatever you

do with Tae-Bo, !!! I wish you all the best!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Hugs,

Ann Marie

[Guest guest]

> If you didn't pass it wasn't because you can't do Taebo iots

because those thoughts you were having about not being ready got in

the way. You know you can go back for cheaper and if you don't pass

I know you will.

>

,

I think I am giving you guys the wrong impression....it's not that I

don't think I can do tae-bo...I know I can do that In fact, I

didn't have those thoughts about not being ready, until I was already

finished with the practical (and I was sitting there crying). Not

once during the entire weekend did I think " I can't do this " . But, I

think at the very end when I was finished and I was sitting against

that wall crying....I really realized what it was that wanted

in his teachers. It was like it all hit me at once. And I

realized, " you know what....I'm not ready to teach this just yet " .

And it made me a little sad and also a little more determined to do

everything I possibly can to get to the point where I am ready!

It's not that I doubt my ability at all...it's that I realize how

much more there is for me to learn. And I'm not saying I have to

learn ALL of that before I teach, because if that were the case, I'd

NEVER be ready! It's like Barb said how started out at one

level and is continually changing and how he realizes his protege's

have to start somewhere and will continue to grow and change. That's

absolutely right. I don't think I have to know everything there is

to know about tae-bo before I start to teach it, I'm just saying that

right now there's a little more I need to know before I can feel

confident in my ability as a teacher. And there's a little more I

need to learn so that I can reperesent tae-bo in a true manner. I'm

not really sure if I'm getting my point across. It's a hard thing to

verbalize the feeling that I have about it. I just want you guys to

know that it's not me being critical of myself or doubting my

ability...it's not that. It's just that I realize there's more for

me to learn before I can be the best teacher I can be. I guess that's

a combination of the perfectionist in me and REALLY understanding how

I want to represent tae-bo. As much as I thought tae-bo was in my

heart before, it's like it's been taken to a new level because

suddenly I might be able to really represent that. And I want to

make sure that I do that in the best way possible.

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> When it comes right down to it, it's

> all about wanting to do it correctly, not just " wanting to do

> it " and for the right reasons. The same goes for doing Tae-Bo as

> your workout, as well as teaching it.

>

> " The toughest lesson to learn is probably the one you thought you

> already learned. "

You are so right, Ann Marie. Thanks for sharing.

Elena

>