ABOUT US
So a little about me and why I love Beatz and wanted to bring it to Hastings!
All through my childhood I’ve always been the “big girl” and the “fat friend”. I suffered with severe depression from being bullied but always put on a brave facade but behind closed doors I’d binge eat (still do can I add but that’s my own demons I still battle).
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By my 21st birthday I weighed 21.5 stone. I did no exercise and was in a very dark place. Not realising the extent of my problem and hiding from the truth until I turned 22 and found out I was pregnant. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol and given that heart disease runs in my family the birth of my son made me realise I had to do something for his sake. The one problem was I was so embarrassed to go to a class because I was so big.
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Once I’d lost a stone from just dieting I got some confidence and braved my anxiety going to a wonderful Zumba class with a lovely lady called Bella! I was sure everyone was going to laugh at me wobbling and going wrong but I was so so wrong about that! Everyone was like a friendly team, so encouraging and everyone had a story to tell! I’d finally found acceptance! I went on to join circuits classes doing sit ups that I’d never been able to do!
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I lost 7 stone but it took me forever because of my constant up and down moods suffering from ptsd with my first child and going through having my 2nd son! I’m still a size 16 and wobble everywhere but I now run, train lots with some amazing instructors who have been my absolute rock for the last 6 years!
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I’ve danced for 20 years, dancing is my release even when times were hard it gives me the natural endorphins to battle depression and my compulsive urges to eat! We’re all human and I strongly believe you don’t need to be “the perfect shape” just to help others achieve what they want to in fitness!
Everyone is human, I’m still on my journey to achieve my fitness goals so if you’re fearing taking your first step, I truly understand that place you’re in! Beatz is so much fun, easy to follow but gives you that “I can do this” attitude to such a fun array of music!
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We’re all here for the same reason, to have fun get fit and work our way to achieving what we want in 2018!
Joanne Clark
Angela Canosa
Angela first started as a participant at Jo's classes right from the very beginning. They knew of each other from attending other fitness classes together and thought she'd come and try this new class Jo's had brought to Hastings. Angela immediately fell in love with it! Being that she had a big dance background mainly in Ballet and studying at one of Englands top ballet schools, she went onto teach at various dance schools to help pass on her knowledge and love. Angela is a Teaching assistant at one of the local primary schools and loves to teach in general. She is of Spanish heritage speaking both Spanish and English.
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When Jo approached her about becoming an instructor to help her when she would need to take holidays and cover for when she is sick, albeit apprehensive, she knew she needed a challenge to get back to something she loved, to dance! Angela trained and passed with Beatz and is loving the journey of meeting new people week in week out to smile, dance and improve fitness with!
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Jo and Angela have become the closest of friends with being more like sisters to this day! Together they show Hastings & Bexhill just how important fitness can be and a mutual love of dance can help bring communities together.
