Mid Thomas Interview Dec 2013 & Feb 2014

We did the 10 questions and answer series (below in white) with Mid just before Christmas. A great insight into one of the most popular and talented leading ladies at Les Mills.  Thanks Mid for spending some time with us...AUSTRALIA LOVES YOU!!!!

This interview is completely new, exclusive to this Blog and done this morning (in red).

By Suzana Talevski

Mid Thomas started teaching in Rangiora approximately 24 years ago and was picked up and trained by Maureen Baker.
"There was no training modules back in those days. I presented my first quarterly workshop at 18 it was Body Attack," Thomas says.
She became one of the first trainers in New Zealand at 22 years of age.
"At this stage Les Mills had not gone international," explains Thomas.  "I continued to do modules and quarterlies through my early 20's then I got my first club manager role at counties fitness at 27 so decided to take a break from quarterlies and modules. I loved my management position and was in this role right up to becoming the National Training Manager for New Zealand at 31."
Thomas continued in this role before becoming Club Manager of a Les Mills Club in Wellington last year.
"I have taught all programs with the exception of Body Combat and I currently still teach in Body Attack, Body Pump, RPM, Body Jam, Body Vive and can train all modules as well," she says.
For all that she has achieved, Thomas remains grounded and down to earth, always taking time to mentor and encourage instructors throughout the world and in her home town. She is loved not because of her super star status but because what you see with Mid Thomas is what you get....someone who is passionate about health, about fitness, about friends and about family ...and about making a change.
"What can I say other than I have had the most amazing career through Les Mills and continue to do so. Alongside the career the single most epic part of my life is the fact that I get to be involved with passionate people all driving for a fitter planet and seriously prepared to fight for this global cause. I love you all Kia Kaha all stand strong be brave and let's get this planet moving," Thomas says.
"I love Australia so much and I love you guys. I'm coming to FILEX. Can't wait to see everyone!!!!."

Australia is looking forward to seeing you too Mid....more than you can imagine.


 

 

1. How many BP do you teach a week and do you always go heavy on the weights?
Before my current role, it was three and as of next year (2014), it will be one. I would normally do one a week heavy and the rest normal weights. 

2. How did you get the job you have now/how did you get involved with Les Mills?

I have been with Les Mills since I was 15 I started teaching Jazzagetics was then now BODYATTACK™. I became a Trainer by the time I was 22 and starting managing my first Fitness Club at 27. Then went onto the National Training Manager role for Les Mills New Zealand at 31 and in the last six months been Club Manager of Les Mills Hutt City.

3. What is the hardest thing about your job?

Seeing people who you know you could help through Les Mills not want anything to do with us because they either have no experience with our programs and/or our gyms. Worse than that, they have a bad experience somewhere else and believe that is what Les Mills is all about.

4. What do you do in your own training and eating to stay in shape?

I am always aware of what I am eating and eat more for functional reason as opposed to eating for the sake of it. At the same time if I really want something I actually will have it so I keep eating in moderation. I spent around 10 years of my fitness career competing in different competitions from Aerobic Champs to Miss Fitness and my days of dieting taught me two things anything in moderation is ok and anything in extreme is NOT. The challenge today is the quality of food is poor and good food is expensive. However we have more knowledge than ever before and it’s about eating for success in what you want to achieve.
For exercise, I will train 5 days a week (classes included) with two days off. This works for my body when I am not getting ready for DVD or Quarterly Workshops. If I have some big tours coming up I will increase my quantity one month out and potentially only have one rest day. In saying that I still stay really connected to what my body is telling me I can or can’t do and I typically push it to the limit when I train so I’m having to pull back on that as I mature gracefully basically I’m getting old.
I also completely believe that the greatest way to stay in shape is to keep things interesting that is food and exercise. So whilst I always have a basic plan if I am feeling unmotivated I will try doing something completely spontaneous and different. Luckily, in Les Mills we have 13 choices on our timetable.

5. What are favorites BP/Attack Releases? Favorite tracks?

My favorite release would be Pump 85 because Matty Thraxton and Will Pritchard are like brothers to me and I thought they did a great job.
Plus it’s got Antidote on it which is one of my favorite songs.

6. Have you ever had a class where everything seemed to go wrong and how did you recover from that experience?

 

Oh yes I have had many many times when things have gone VERY wrong, from the cassette yes I said cassette tapes not working through to having someone pass out in your class to COMPLETELY screwing up the choreography. In saying that the worst thing that ever happened to me was when I was, teaching a low impact class called Meltdown (an old LM program). I was wearing an unfortunate top that did not strap across my body properly. My brother-in-law was in my class and I went to reach up and my arms went up as well as my top….Yes the entire class saw me topless for a split second I WAS HORRIFIED.
How did I cope simple no matter how bad the thing was I always carried on and gave the people in my class a workout because it is always about them first not me.

7. Who is/are your inspiration in the fitness world?

 

Easy EMMA BARRY and JACKIE MILLS. These two women are in my opinion phenomenal and I have been honored to work with them over the years.

8. Why is the GFX experience so cool? What is special about it and how is it different from a regular filming quarter?

 

Prior to Sweden this year GFX was the only place in world where you could do a filming and quarterly workshop at the same time. Now it has become A MUST attend for so many Group Fitness Instructors all around the world. Over and above this, you literally have the most motivated, energetic, passionate, people focused and INCREDIBLE people ALL IN ONE SPACE…..Nothing is better than that. It is just a BUZZ from start to finish.
From an organizational perspective, that is exactly what LMNZ look to create. The most amazing WOW factor with energy and excitement…..Let us just say
GFX 3D ANIMATED Jan 30,31 and Feb1st 2014 EPIC XXXX

8. How do people get a job at Les Mills?
 

It is interesting everyone wants to work for LMI but I guess we forget that we all are already doing that through our classes.

9. Do you think with the popular emergence of Crossfit or other similar programs that Les Mills will still be a force in the future and why?

 

Absolutely it will be and if anything, Les Mills will be stronger. The reason why Les Mills does so well is that at every level our people believe in our mission, which is to get this planet fitter. We understand it and own it so in fact if the Crossfit or Zumba’s of this world are in the market that’s awesome because they will be helping the people we are not and if we are honest there are actually far too many people who have not made physical activity part of their lives and the statistics are getting worse not better especially in children.
I think what Les Mills does is amazing and I only wish to be a reflection of the love and intention of our fearless leaders to help this planet get fit through warriors like each and every one of us.
Again health related issues are on the rise and it’s going to take a LES MILLS ARMY to make the difference fighting for the SURVIVAL of FITNESS ON THIS PLANET LOVE YOU ALL XXXXXX Fitness is a GOD GIVEN RIGHT and now we fight

10. Have you got a special message for your Aussie instructors?

 

I will forever be in love with Australia because that is the place where my fiance proposed to me so I will love you and your country forever xxxx — feeling inspired.

Matthew Thraxton GFX 2014 Interview

Matthew Thraxton GFX 2014 Interview

 

Matt is a Les Mill International Master Trainer and DVD Presenter. Originally from England, Matt has over 10 years’ experience with Les Mills delivering instructor training modules, workshops and master classes in more than 15 countries. Now living in Melbourne and representing Les Mills Asia Pacific, Matt teaches BODYPUMP, RPM, CXWORX, BODY COMBAT and Les Mills GRIT STRENGTH.

1.         Describe GFX in three words

Crazy Inspirational and Family

2.         What has been some of the highlights of GFX 2014?

Presenting the BODYPUMP and RPM quarterly workshops. I love getting to work with Emma Barry; she has been one of my idols since I started Pump back in 2002. We don’t get too many chances to present together so when the opportunity arises it’s always special. Plus I got to pump it up with my good friend Will Pritchard, who you will see on the BODYPUMP 90 DVD. He did an amazing job. Then for RPM, it is always an honour and a privilege to ride next to the Lee Smith. Apart from that, getting to catch up with old friends and make new ones is a huge part of what these events are all about. We really are one big extended family and when all four corners of the world get together in one spot to share out love for fitness, it’s magic!

3.         What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Hmmm (insert cheeky grin!!)……I will say Coffee!! Yep definitely coffee. 

4.         Are you addicted to your smart phone?

Yes!! And I hate the fact that I am (laughs). Everyone these days seem to be constantly glued to his or her phone, head down, bent neck and rounded back. It seems like good posture is fast becoming a thing of the past.

5.         What do you see as of the world’s biggest problems today and how would you go about solving it?

I see sugar, junk food and sedentary lifestyles as a major world-wide problem. It’s really worrying that despite all the education available regarding healthy eating and exercise, our obesity crises and lifestyle related disease continues to escalate. It’s really important that we keep working on this. One of the keys is early invention and education at a school level. I believe that daily exercise should be compulsory on the school curriculum. I love the idea of it being group fitness too because then we can cater too all levels of fitness and ability in children. Everyone wins. I’m not saying we should take out sport days or competition, we need that; but we also need to provide for the kids who aren’t interested in sport, or do not have the confidence or ability to take part. We should be reaching through the schools and setting these kids up for a life with good health habits from an early age.

6.         How have you found your transition to living in Melbourne, Australia?

It was very hard to leave my friends and family here in Auckland. I was here for four and a half years and had built a great life with made some amazing friends. It really was like leaving home all over again. Professionally it was a bit of a shock when I first started teaching in Melbourne clubs. I went from teaching 180 people on my last pump class in Auckland to 12 on my first day in Melbourne. That was certainly a group fitness culture shift. It was like going full circle back to when I started. Teaching at small clubs where it is all about building a community and really teaching from a grass roots level. The great thing about that is watching your participants improve and seeing your class numbers grow. There is something very special about taking a small group of leisurely gym goers and nurturing them, training them and coaching them into a room full of athletes!

7.         What’s in store for 2014?

I have a few exciting little projects in the pipeline for 2014 around coaching, mentoring and consulting within the fitness industry. I am working with LMAP on some projects to help us improve the level of instructing in Australia. It is the year of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, and the World Cup in Brazil, and I turn 40!

8.         What’s something that people might be surprised to know?

I have many leather bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Oh, and my middle name is…. IVOR!

9.         What’s your message to those considering coming to GFX but haven’t done so yet?

Absolutely come!!!! Get re-inspired. Meet up with old friends and meet some fantastic new people. It’s a unique experience, where regular studio classes combine with quarterly workshop classes as well as rehearsal classes and they all go head to head with filming classes! You get to see so many amazing styles of teaching. How Instructors/Presenters may teach in a workshop is different to how they would in a filming class and different again to a regular class. It’s a fantastic experience, a real celebration of group fitness and I hope to see even more Aussies at the next one!!

10.       And a final message for the Aussie Les Mills instructors reading LM Australia Rockin’ AKL?

I’m in a place where I just so grateful for my position and having so many wonderful people in my life. I get to meet so many people including instructors that inspire me. It’s all about the ripple effect. For example you teach 20 people and you inspire them. They then go out to inspire another 20 and so on. Or they go home really happy and you are creating change and the world is a better place. You have the ability to change the world and that’s the most amazing part of our job as instructors. I would say keeping supporting Les Mills, keep up the passion and make every teaching an experience a celebration of what we do.