Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Claudine Cooper. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Claudine , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

30 years ago, I was deep in a state of grief and loss. My therapist told me to start exercising for at least one hour everyday. She said it would make me feel better. Reluctant but desperate, I took her advice and started doing aerobics on the VCR. I’d put in a VHS tape, mute the volume & turn on my favorite west coast rap music. Within weeks I felt better. Mentally & Physically. It wasn’t long before my friends and family began to join me for walks and talks and workouts. Back then, I had no idea that my pain would someday become my purpose, but here I am. 30 years later creating space for walks and talks and workouts.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Once I fell in love with fitness, I applied for a job at the gym. As a teenager, I worked the front desk at the gym. Greeting members, remembering names, and welcoming people into the gym. Little did I know that was gonna be the training ground for my future as a fitness instructor. After working the front desk, selling outfits at the pro shop, and cleaning the locker rooms, I’d go up to the weight room or the group fitness studio and exercise. One day someone suggested I teach a class. After much hesitation & trepidation, I was thrust into teaching when an instructor didn’t show up for work. Since that time, I’ve taught millions of classes, connected with thousands of people and been blessed to do what I love.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the year 2020 – when the gyms shut down – I was crushed. The place where I’d been teaching, working and healing for nearly 30 years was closed. And we had no idea how long it would last. Two days after the gyms announced their closure, my friend Ali called & said, “WE NEED YOU. Do your class on LIVE VIDEO.” I was already active on social media, so I took her advice. The first class on Instagram Live had an overwhelming response. From there, my online classes became a place for connection, community and conversation which was very much needed at the time. I still teach a free online class every Friday.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started using social media in the prehistoric days of MY SPACE. I was blogging back when we had to use dial up. Honestly I never thought anyone would read my blogs, but one day I was reflecting on a time when I was held at gunpoint, so I wrote about it. It went sorta viral, before viral was a thing. From that blog it became clear to me that there was beauty in telling the real shit. Not the perfectly curated photos or the glamorous vacation blogs but the stories of resilience and overcoming. Over the course of my 20 years on social media, I’ve connected with people around the world simply by talking about real life. Here’s my advice to anyone who wants to build an online platform: 1) use your real life to connect. 2) don’t overthink your posts. 3) ask yourself what is your goal for using social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.claudinecooper.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitwit3/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmchie?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudine-cooper-874b13b4

Image Credits
Full Image 360 Hollywood Park Moves