Real People, Real Stories
Manchaca Jazzercise, July 2010
Brenda Gustafson
1. How did you find our classes at Manchaca? Who told you about it?
When I worked full-time my trip home everyday took me by the signs advertising Manchaca Jazzercise. One day I got up the nerve to walk into the building and observe a class, however, it took me another six months to work up the courage to actually join.
2. What do you like about Jazzercise that keeps you coming to class?
I enjoy the work outs and even those times when I don’t feel like attending, I come away feeling great and I know that I am doing something good for myself. I have also enjoyed getting to know some great people and developing very special friendships.
3. How old are you, are you married, children? Tell us a little about your family and you?
I turn 52 years young this month and have been married to my husband Mark for 12 years and I have a 20 year old step daughter named Laura. Mark is an Austin Firefighter and we met through my sister, Jackie who works for the Fire Department in their Human Resources Division. Jackie and Mark had been at a party and even though he did not know me at the time, he kept asking if his “future sister-in-law” would dance with him. He even went so far as to sending flowers to my sister so that she would introduce me to him. We went on a blind date on September 16, 1997 and were married on February 7, 1998. I retired from the City of Austin on December 31, 2008 after 27 years and have not regretted one moment of taking the plunge. Together, Mark and I own CPR Resources, Inc. which trains people how to administer CPR, operate an automated defibrillator as well as perform first aid. I do the administrative work of the business as well as keep Mark and the four other firefighters that work for us in line. Ha!
4. Have you ever experienced an injury and has it set you back from exercise? If so, how did you bounce back?
I have never suffered an injury from Jazzercise, but have had trouble with my knees while training for a marathon. I actually joined Manchaca Jazzercise to help me build my stamina as well as my core. Jazzercise succeeded in building the endurance I needed and I found the personal training classes to really help to improve my body form in running.
5. How did you feel when you first tired the class, and what advice would you have for a new Jazzerciser?
When I first started coming to classes, I felt very awkward and uncoordinated. I couldn’t seem to get my feet to do the correct steps and my arms felt like they were flinging everywhere. Because of the excellent instructors who were willing to personally show me steps after class as well as watching the videos on the Jazzercise website, and my new friends, I eventually learned the steps. I would encourage a new Jazzerciser to not get frustrated when they don’t do the steps right because even after you do it for a while; you find that you will still have an off day. Just keep in mind that even if you aren’t doing the steps correctly, you are moving and doing something good for yourself.
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