This weekend, aRoundJoy at The HoopShack celebrates it’s 9th anniversary…and through the years, there have been many changes. Let’s take a look back…a HoopShack FLASHBACK…

How It All Started

Originally, I taught hoop classes at a local warehouse in 2009. It all started small, but with a lot of love and passion. For about 3 months before opening and well into 2010, my clients and I were out hooping a lot in the community. Getting the word out about what hooping was, where they could come join us. We went to many places, events and venues, busy some months almost every weekend. I was teaching, on the go with my hoops at events and even training new instructors.

Such fun, but looking back now, I remember, things were out-of-balance. You need only look at the video above…I was quite thin back then, because I was hooping all day, busy opening a new business filled with cardio, toning, joy and promoting ALL that at the same time. I was eating anything I wanted, but burning it all off, and then some. Win-win…right?? Actually, not-so.much.

That speaks volumes about how POWERFUL hooping is for a shapely figure. Look at my body! I remember…I was doing it everyday, for hours…ALL.THE.TIME. I do remember getting SICK more frequently, though, because I would push through, when I really shouldn’t have. Hooping is SO fun, it’s just hard to say no sometimes. Plus, I wanted to take every chance I could to share about my new business! It did catch up with me, though. I got migraines that developed into a really bad case of vertigo by late 2010 and was hospitalized.

Lesson learned.

How (& Why) Things Changed

From that point, I did a better job choosing how to manage things, learned what I should and should not do, and how to keep things in balance, for my health’s sake. As the years went by, I also learned that more private instruction, with individuals or smaller groups, was the best way to train clients safely. It was also beneficial for me, allowing a pace that I could better serve clients, while keeping my energy, health and wellness in check. I’m now also older and wiser…funny how with age, comes wisdom…right?!?

In 2014, we sized down to a smaller office location. A year later, we sized down even more, to the guest house, with in-home private studio sessions and online training videos that you see offered today. Technology has changed the game for all of us!

How We Do It Today

Now, with my HoopShack-to-gO aRoundJoy BASICS training videos, I can teach you and you can learn from me, no matter where you live. I can do virtual private online training 1-on-1 or small group, via meeting software, Facebook “live” on my page and in my private group or individual private messenger chat and FaceTime. I still offer in-person private trainings, also small group events at various venues, by request, including the occasional parties/retreats at my home or the homes of my clients, friends and family. The aRoundJoy “community” aspect is still a big part of The HoopShack, and always will be. I just love how I can grow it in the virtual space, though. It’s been rewarding meeting so many women over the last few years!

You’ll see more online coaching coming on 2019. My NEW Snap-n-gO™ segmented hoops make it possible for anyone to get a BIG ENOUGH hoop, or a smaller hoop – multiple sizing options are available literally in a snap! As I mentioned, technology, and especially social media, has forever changed the way I can reach and teach women, helping them get moving, get healthier & get excited to pick up a hoop with me.

Thankful For It All

It’s been a wonderful journey these last 9 years. What a trip down memory lane this has been! Shout out to all my wonderful clients, family and friends for being so supportive and loving. Let’s keep on hooping…I’ll be 59 in a couple of months and don’t plan on putting down my hoop at all!

*I want to also say a special thank you to Tracy Kornet for helping to kickstart The HoopShack with that wonderful news story featured in the video above. You rock, girl!