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In episode 30, I interview Stephanie Funk, fitness & Pilate’s instructor extraordinaire. I love this interview because it paints an intimate picture of an exceptional & passionate fitness instructor. In the interview, Stephanie provides excellent advice to us baby boomers on exercise and healthy aging. You will quickly discover why her students love her so much.
Stephanie has been a Certified Pilates and Adaptive Fitness instructor for the last 10 years. She teaches group exercise classes for adults 50 and older here in on the peninsula south of San Francisco. Stephanie and I are both graduates of Dr. Karl Knopf’s Adaptive Fitness Program at Foothill College. You might remember my interview with Dr. Karl back at episode #12.
Stephanie’s goals are to instill to her students a love of movement, an appreciation of the power and fragility of the human body, and an understanding of exercise as a critical component of our overall health and well-being. And, as all of her loyal students will attest, she goes way beyond by putting her heart and soul into her classes. Check it out!
In the interview I ask Stephanie the following questions:
- You’ve been in the fitness field now for 10 years. What attracted you to this profession?
- You are a certified Pilates instructor. Tell us a bit about what Pilates is and how you incorporate it with adaptive fitness program.
- I know that you love teaching group exercise classes? What is your approach to working safely and effectively with a room full of boomers and seniors?
What are the challenges that you see most often with your boomer and senior students? - How do you keep your students motivated?
- Tell us a bit about how and why you incorporate mental exercises into your classes.
- Do you have a mission in life?
What does your personal exercise regime look like? - What advice can you give boomers and seniors for finding a fun and effective exercise program that they will stick with?
Do you have any parting words of advice for us boomers?
Stephanie Funk’s Contact information:
CLICK HERE to go to Stephanie’s Blog/Website The Fitness Muse
CLICK HERE to contact Stephanie
CLICK HERE to go to the City of San Mateo Recreation for Adults Program
CLICK HERE to go to the Essential Boomer interview with Karl Knopf (Episode 12)
CLICK HERE to watch the video of my favorite 10 minute cardio workout
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Thank you so much!
Jim Jensen
Terrific interview...My wife and I take two of Stephanie's classes each week and love her repertoire of music and dances. Her Zumba Gold classes have a variety of music (Latin, Rock N' Roll, Broadway, etc.) and dance styles (tango, mambo, salsa, and dances that fit the musical themes. Your interview with Stephanie really brought out her compassion for both fitness and her students, understanding of how to integrate movement into our daily lives (particularly helpful for seniors), and her love of teaching new exercises. Many of her students enjoy her classes because she is always keeping us "on our toes," literally and figuratively!
Isn't she great? She's doing such great work. You are very lucky to work with her. Make sure that you tell her so! I work one-on-one with my clients so she is always jealous that she's not able to develop close relationships like I am. She would love knowing how you feel about her! 😉
I love the music and choreography in my zumba classes . The moves are a good source of
exercise and I always feel fit happy and energetic. Also it's great having an instructor who is
so creative like Stephanie and I might add although she is very serious about her teaching
she also has a wonderful sense of humor. It's all fun.
Anna! I'm sorry it took so long to approve this! Thank you for the post! Yes, Stephanie is definitely a one-in-a-million! She LOVES her students!
I have been taking Stepanie's exercise classes since she started teaching 9 years ago. It has been a joy and privilege to have had her at Central Park here in San Mateo.. She's always so enthusiastic, cheerful, thoughtful and an inspiration to all who attend. I have learned so much from her and probably would not be in the shape that I'm in had it not been for the 2 to sometimes 3 classes a week that I take. If health is wealth then I feel very wealthy indeed to have such a special person as Stehanie as a teacher. I'm very thankful that we have Stephanie and so should the San Mateo Adult School District. They don't come any better!.