BEFORE
When the application for the Beachbody Talent Team came out, I really did not know what I was doing. All I could think in my head was, "Wow, wouldn't it be CRAZY COOL (as Chalene says in her book PUSH which is how I now word all my goals/dreams/life ambitions) if I got to fly out to LA and try out." It wasn't a matter of "Can I do this?" but instead, "How can I NOT do this?!" The worst that would happen is I would get a "Thanks, but no thanks" email from Beachbody, but I would be able to say I at least tried.
I dragged my dear friend, Paulina, to the gym at 6am on a Friday morning to help me video tape probably THE cheesiest audition tape to be submitted. I definitely did not look the role of a video star with my slick back messy bun that kept falling out and mascara-less face. Paulina was a trooper, giving me tips and retakes after my hair falling out or bursting out in laughter. She even helped my not so technology-savvy self by putting the video together and uploading it to YouTube. (THANK YOU PAULINA!!)
I submitted my application in October, and did not think much more about it until a cold Saturday in February. Walking upstairs in good ol Alpha Phi, I decided to check my email, and opened my inbox to find out I got the audition....say WHAAAT! Out of nearly 1,000 applicants, this little Indiana gal was chosen in the top 10% of only about 69 people who were asked to LA. My jaw dropped, I jumped, I screamed, I cried and got all emotional, and screamed some more. It was hard to wrap my head around at first, but the more emails that Robin sent, the more details that were released, the more real it became. I practiced by teaching the actual round, video taped myself practicing in the mirror, and reviewed the choreography over and over again. How I still enjoy the song 'Timber' is
beyond me.
DAY 1: SETTLING IN
Before I knew it, I was on a flight to Los Angeles, by myself, still thinking WHAT IS LIFE WHAT HOW AM I DOING THIS?! I arrived, met my roommate, and was lucky enough to tag along with her to Venice Beach. We bonded over fitness, life, and other Beachbody things. We took selfies, bought new shades, and ate some BOMB fish tacos at the same restaurant as in 'I Love You, Man." I then went back to the hotel to soak up some sun by the pool, and nap. I went with Krystal to watch some pro give spray tans, to soon be convinced to get a spray tan of my own (all the cool instructors were doing it!). We ate dinner, and practiced our routines even more. It felt great being able to give and receive feedback from someone who was ultimately competing for the same spot in this audition.
Casual Venice Beach frolicking on a Wednesday what?!
Famous 'I Love You Man' fish tacos... so good!
DAY 2: THE BIG DAY
I woke up on Thursday literally singing and dancing. We showered, and got ready while listening to some jams to pump us up. The opening sessions were so exciting, meeting those who work for corporate, and mingling with some of the most talented and dedicated instructors from around the country. I was star struck in my own sort of fitness dream, surrounded by those who I have watched for the past 2 years in Turbo and Insanity videos thinking "wow coolest job ever how do I get that?!" Everyone was just as real and down to earth as I had imagined. Oh, and just as fit as the videos HA!
We broke into our groups to practice before the moment of truth. With my turbo swag on , and E&E running through my veins I was ready to go! #turbomodeON We watched the group before us audition, but not sure if it really calmed my nerves. When it was our turn, we performed the section a few times with a group of 5 people. I channeled my inner cheerleader, smiling til my cheeks hurt, and bringing sass to the judges. The hardest part was keeping eye contact with this camera the entire time, while staying within the tape, while focusing on form and technique, with GIANT range of motion,
while trying not to smile like I was in pain because I was smiling too hard, while making sure my smile didn't turn into a gopher lip, and using my right lead which was really my left leg, trying not to kick my neighbor and yeah aka everything. These experts in the DVDs make it look WAY easier than it is!
Before I knew it, the audition was over. I didn't know what to do with myself, as I was sooo full of adrenaline and on a Turbo Kick high!! It was just THE coolest experience I could not even put it into words. I was probably about as happy as I was when I was paddle boarding with my mates in the Great Barrier Reef. Just one of those indescribable feelings where you just can't believe you are living your dream, just pure happiness and awe, completely content with your life in that moment. I felt so ALIVE and just wish I could have bottled up that feeling in a jar, it was unreal.
Cat, myself, Michelle, and Lauren (Chalene's fab assistant with Team Johnson) posing right after we auditioned
I got to mingle more, gaining some insight to the lives of fitness professionals, like Arnoldo, who teaches 22 classes per week!!!! I will think of him every time I think I am tired after I teach back to back. It is crazy how I instantly felt close and bonded to these people who I had just met. After lunch and a little break, it was time for photo shoots! It was fun to have a little paparazzi action with some serious and action shots...even a little hair flip!
*Attempting* to be a model
My mug shot and action shot...like what do you do when a photographer tells you to do something fun?! # awkward
"Skinny arm?! That should work right...?!"
Lunch break selfie with Arnoldo!
I spent the rest of the day catching up on emails and doing homework by the pool. That's what you get when you try to pretend like you are a celeb for the week while in college, but by the pool in my favorite city so couldn't complain! I was still on an adrenaline rush (still am, considering I've been in bed for an hour and have to be up in 6 hours to teach EEK!), so I decided to explore the gym and did a total body strength workout. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Craig's sisters for a lovely night out in Santa Monica before hitting the hay for the next day!
DAY 3: TRAININGS & TALKS
Friday, we had breakfast followed by media training and presentations from the fabulous Tony Horton and my fav, Chalene Johnson. Tony was absolutely hilarious and gave some great tips that were applicable to all aspects of life. Chalene spoke how being in an instructor video is one of the hardest things you will ever do. She also told us that regardless of what that email says, we are granted with an OPPORTUNITY. Both talks will receive their own blog post because they were full of so many golden nuggets of information. Some people received call backs to audition again in front of Chalene (this was neither good nor bad, so people did not really know what to think)! We took a group picture and before I knew it, the morning was done.
I spent the rest of the day at Manhattan Beach with new fit friends Mandy and Megan. We talked about our experience, shared stories, shopped, and ate some much needed gelato. It was hard to relax as we had to wait over a week to find out our results. I headed to the airport, and in what seemed like the blink of an eye, I was back in Fort Wayne.
TAKEAWAY!!!
"Do scary things that don't kill you." People may say it's my generation, filled with big ideas, and crazy thoughts, but at the end of the day, what you tell yourself becomes your reality. There is nothing that separates you from those in the top of your industry. If someone else has done it, so can you! I have to borrow Chalene's feelings when I say this, but it is because she has become my greatest mentor for not only business, fitness, but LIFE, and my life is just getting started! I believe in waking up with butterflies on a regular basis. Life should be EXCITING. Walk to the edge of that cliff, and just JUMP. I promise you, whatever it is that seems so freakin crazy cool but ridiculous at the same time will not kill you. While I didn't get the role, I gained an opportunity to become better. Chalene herself auditioned for hundreds of things she didn't get, and look at her now! I do not believe in failure, but instead the opportunity to grow, learn, and improve. I know what to work on, and you better believe I will be back for the 2015 auditions!! :)
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