We recently connected with Joshua Neal and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joshua thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

I started teaching group fitness classes at the Waist Basket In Houston Texas and Bally Total Fitness 26 Years ago at the age of 19. My very first class was Hi/Lo and Aerobics. One day an instructor called out and I was given my first class to teach. Nervous for the first 5 mins but then everything just flowed together. It was such a great first experience that I will never forget.

Joshua, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Joshua Neal, a National Fitness Professional and the son of Gloria Neal. I am honored to officially be part of Black History for Fitness. This month makes Twenty Six Years in the Fitness Industry. It is a blessing to be part of Black history in the making as one of the longest active Top National African American Group Fitness/Aerobic Instructors. I started at a small all women’s gym called ” The Waist Basket”. For the last Thirteen years of my career I have had the pleasure of currently being with the number one National Athletic Health Club Destinations, Life Time. Please check out a location near you and you will not regret it. I am currently the Studio Leader at the Johns Creek Location and Live Stream Hub Producer for the Atlanta region. I am a National Group Fitness Performer, NASM Certified PT and 200hr LP- YTT Certified Yoga Teacher, Currently at Life Time I am one of the Brand Representative for the format REMIXX Cardio and Step. (old school meets new school) I am a brand ambassador for Hoka One One Shoe. I am the creator of the format Kickbox Jam which is one of the top Live Streamed format for Life Time. I teach it every Wednesday at 8:45am and Saturdays at 9:00am In person and Virtual. I am a dancer by heart and teach a Dance Choreography class one a month along with other Strength and cardio classes weekly.

This 26 year journey has not been easy but has always been right. The key for me is CONSISTENCY & GOD. Oh…and a loving support system, Gloria Neal – Mom, Uvanda Neal- Sister, Aretha Neal – Cousin, Brian Womack, Davian Oglesby, Larrilon Few and Jamara Stallworth – BFFs and FitFam!
Here is why I’ve lasted this long and why I am who I am…….
I am often referred to as the SUPERMAN OF FITNESS…
Every class I teach is spirit-driven. This is something you can not practice nor is it teachable. It comes from within
I compete with no one but myself and always try to be better than the last class I taught.
I stay true AND authentic to who I am, A GAY AFRICAN AMERICAN Male FITNESS PRO.
I use my past trauma to be a motivation not an excuse.
I love love love supporting and helping others.

When I got to the point where my teaching and trainings became spirit-driven, I was no longer “TEACHING CLASS or Training, I was DELIVERING AN EXPERIENCE. Almost unexplainable yet unforgettable. (each and every class)

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Three years ago I had a Heart Attack and that change my life forever. The Cardiologist said that because I work out, I conditioned my heart for such rigorous traumatic experience. I am now turning flips, turns and cartwheel like never before. I tell people all the time that the first reason you should work out is to stay healthy in case something like this happen, then your other “WHY’s” can come after. It is blessing to still be doing what I am doing at a better rate than before the Attack.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely I would choose to be a Fitness Professional……………Teaching fitness classes, training, developing promoting instructors and just plain out helping people…………. I know is my calling, a gift from God and my Testimony. I am grateful that this is an anointing on me. I am grateful for every single member, guest and client I’ve came in contact with.

It feel so good to see the transformation in others. Not only that but its kind of like a BOOMERANG. I am helping them but they are also helping me. When I am having a not so good day, to see a class full of beautiful souls waiting for me is priceless and motivating most times. This why I always say a prayer for all my classes.

I love fitness….don’t you….lol

Confucius said it best and is one of my favorite quotes
“choose a job you love and you never work a day in your life”

Contact Info:

• Website: lifetime.life
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshuahdneal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.neal.942
• Youtube: joshuahneal
• Other: You can sign up for Life Time digital membership at 2.99 a month. This will give you access to all on demand classes and live stream classes. Click or copy link https://www.lifetime.life/digital.html

Image Credits
Photo Credit; Erika Krupansky photography