no ordinary welcome for michelle d.

[jmd]

hi all:
i have the priveledge to introduce you to a wonderful young woman who has just joined our ranks from across the globe in austria, michelle d! michelle and i met about a year and a half ago when she first took one of my classes. we clicked right away and started a friendship beyond the spinning realm. at that time, she was living with her parents b/c her husband jon was stationed in kobul, serving our country. michelle soon became an avid rider, and caught the addiction we all have to the bike. her body changed, her stress from being away from her husband disapaited for that hour and she became an inspiration to me. everytime we knew she would get to visit jon on one of his leaves we'd as a class help her count her days until she could see him and anxiously await her return. well, jon's duty in kobul was up this summer and i got to meet him. he is as amazing as she is, we needed to move our 20 bikes up 3 flights of steps after a specialty ride one sunday after an hour interval class. of course the elevator was broken, so michelle and jon helped me carry them:o they are both now lifetime v.i.p. members at our club and will spin for free any time they return.

now michelle is looking for a teaching job at the american school and wants to become madd dogg certified but can't coordinate a training over there, so for the meanwhile she has purchased a spinner and will train by herself at home in vienna. i felt this forum could help her find the profiles she wants to train with and start her music habit early;). please help me welcome her and guide her until she is able to get out there and teach.

on a final and very personal note, michelle is also quite an accomplished opera singer. she also was so kind to me when my mom was so ill. she continually offerred to volunteer to watch my children so i could help my mom and be with her. when she heard the news that my mother passed away, she offerred to sing at her memorial mass and she did such an amazing job honoring my mother and my family. i will never forget her kindness, compassion and pure talent.

okay, now i have tears streaming down my face...enough!!!! she belongs here and has every quality of a top notch instructor. you will become better just for having met her......welcome michelle, let us know how we can help you on your journey......:) love you bunches! jmd:p

[Pink]

Well, where is she? Mi-chellllllllle, come out and way 'ello! It will be wonderful to meet & get to know you. Hope you'll find a another home here in cyberland.

But I'm confused...will you be moving to the states or looking to teach in Austria?

[joyofspin]

Wow - what a story. Sounds like fate. Welcome Michelle. I look forward to hearing from you on the forum. Hope you enjoy our second home. - Joy

[Julibird]

Hi Michelle!

It would be an honor to have a lady or courage and heart such as you to hang out with all of us! Welcome and take all you can from here to focus your mind on a great way to harness another side of your talents to and to share it with others.

Good luck with your training. Consider us part of your team!

Julie

[MichelleD]

WOW
What can I saw with an intro like that. I can't even tell you excited I am to belong to such a wonderful forum! Let me start with how amazing of an instructor Jean is. I am sure you can get a bit of a feel from her postings, but it needs to be said. She is the only instructor I have ever had who truly cares about each spinner. I was very quiet at first, and she approached me and helped me to open up and become part of the community. She really believed in me, and helped me to transform not only my body but my life. She really helped me survive during a hard time in my life. So, I thank you so much, Jean, and from thousands of miles away, you continue to make me better-simply put, you're the best.
Under Jean's tutelage, I quickly became a spinning addict, and am going through deep withdrawal awaiting my bike in Vienna. The first thing I did when I moved to Vienna was take a spin class. And, surprisingly, the spin was just as difficult as in the states. The only difference is definitely the music!! YIKES! Anways, I am here to learn from you guys, and steal all of your fabulous ideas!!!

[MichelleD]

Well, where is she? Mi-chellllllllle, come out and way 'ello! It will be wonderful to meet & get to know you. Hope you'll find a another home here in cyberland.

But I'm confused...will you be moving to the states or looking to teach in Austria?

Hi Pink-Nice to meet you! I am planning on making a trip to the states in March to get certified, and if I can, I will try to teach in Vienna...I understood the class in german, so I am sure I could do it in german, or they could brush up on their english :D Of course, after 3 years, we'll move back to the states, and hopefully, I'll teach there.

[like2bike]

Jean a HUGE THANK YOU for introducing Michelle to all of us! I can't wait to hear from her--what a very special young woman. And you are right, she DOES belong here. We welcome her with open arms and will be standing by, ready and waiting to assist her with any questions or needs.

Welcome Michelle! Thanks again Jean!

[rick316]

For what it's worth....I really want to work and live over there so if anyone can help me achieve that,I'll be willing to have your babies!:p(Seriously though,if you can help...;))

[MichelleD]

[quote=rick316;76162]For what it's worth....I really want to work and live over there so if anyone can help me achieve it

Live and work in Vienna?

[rick316]

No,sorry,I meant the US.(my bad?):rolleyes:

[Pink]

WOW
What can I saw with an intro like that. I can't even tell you excited I am to belong to such a wonderful forum! Let me start with how amazing of an instructor Jean is. I am sure you can get a bit of a feel from her postings, but it needs to be said. She is the only instructor I have ever had who truly cares about each spinner. I was very quiet at first, and she approached me and helped me to open up and become part of the community. She really believed in me, and helped me to transform not only my body but my life. She really helped me survive during a hard time in my life. So, I thank you so much, Jean, and from thousands of miles away, you continue to make me better-simply put, you're the best.
Under Jean's tutelage, I quickly became a spinning addict, and am going through deep withdrawal awaiting my bike in Vienna. The first thing I did when I moved to Vienna was take a spin class. And, surprisingly, the spin was just as difficult as in the states. The only difference is definitely the music!! YIKES! Anways, I am here to learn from you guys, and steal all of your fabulous ideas!!!

None of this surprises me...:)

[jmd]

a perfect fit....see i told you! have safe travels michelle! thanks all for being you and being such warm ambassadors! take care....jmd:p

[SpinBob]

Welkommen, Michelle, wie gehts?

Rick as soon as I win the lottery, I will be quiting my job and opening a Spinning studio and I will give you a job.

[jmd]

For what it's worth....I really want to work and live over there so if anyone can help me achieve that,I'll be willing to have your babies!:p(Seriously though,if you can help...;))

rick....
where were you 11 years ago? all this time my husband convinced me that "i have to carry the babies"....i would have easily hooked you up as a surrogate to carry the triplets! and since you missed that once in a lifetime opportunity, just get the heck over here anyway....seriously! i'm shooting from the hip here, but what is stopping you? you know you have what it takes, so maybe it's time to just go for it! btw, if you have one of those great british accents, well, let's just say american chicks dig that! make your plans, make your move, 2008 is your year! take care, jmd:)

[rick316]

That has been the plan for .... EVER! I procrastinated my ass off last year. But in all seriousness,that is why I'm doing the PT course now,to give me a little more skills wise to work with. I would be willing to jump whenevr but from a finiancial standpoint,to do it 'on my own' I would need probably 6 months or so to put some cash aside to make it a reality.With help,I could do it sooner.I have nearly 9 years experience working in the same gym,managing it for the past 4,but only with a basic gym instructor cert.I need more weight behind my name ot make it a reality.What do you think?

[jmd]

That has been the plan for .... EVER! I procrastinated my ass off last year. But in all seriousness,that is why I'm doing the PT course now,to give me a little more skills wise to work with. I would be willing to jump whenevr but from a finiancial standpoint,to do it 'on my own' I would need probably 6 months or so to put some cash aside to make it a reality.With help,I could do it sooner.I have nearly 9 years experience working in the same gym,managing it for the past 4,but only with a basic gym instructor cert.I need more weight behind my name ot make it a reality.What do you think?

rick,
seriously, i think you are doing everything right. your pt cert is vital, but other than that you are gold! maybe you could hit someone up for a cash advance to get you started, or seriously find a stinky little job just to save $$$ on the side for just this purpose. in honesty, in both clubs where i teach we are always in need of good trainers and certified male spin instructors. it's up to your comfort level of change and ability to take a risk. i sincerely doubt that all the planets will align themselves to pave the road you should take, so do the old pro/con list and see where you stand. lastly and most importantly for me is to follow your heart and your gut, i know they are two different organs but they always have the answers. so, what do you think....jmd:)

[rick316]

Well,I think I need to start 'fishing' to see what is potentially available,where and what the legal situation is.Without this sounding like an advert,I can do pretty much anything in a health club and will comfortably turn my hand to almost any job naywhere.So it comes down to getting a break,being offered an opportunity.And then running with it.

[sandy]

Rick my Director of Fitness is from England. You never know maybe since your both Brits she could hook you up. If your ever serious I could have you talk to her. Personally, I love England, but I have been told by the cabbies in London how economically difficult it is to live there.

[fred]

Bienvenida Micaela!!

[monical1]

Welcome, Michelle. Any friend of Jean's is most definitely a friend of mine. This is a great place to learn and share your knowledge with others. Happy Holidays!

[jbon42]

Michelle,
Welcome. You and your husband sound awesome! The world needs more people like you.
Joe B
P.S. Thank him for his service for me. It takes a special person to lay it on the line and he obviously did.

[abby_b_fit]

Hey Michelle,

You have come to the right place!! Welcome!!!:D Grab something to drink pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

---A