A lot happens in 15 years, and I have learned some things about being an instructor.  There is a time to put it all out there, but you have to know when to scale back too.

A good instructor gives everything in class.  The class benefits from the instructor's knowledge, wisdom, motivation, and energy.  The instructor gets a workout, but the instructor is there to be the motivator, coach, and teacher.  This is an emotional role as much as a physical one.  The good instructor is physically and emotionally exhausted at the end of class.

Stay with me, this is all going to come together in a minute...

The term 'jump the shark' is used in TV to refer to a sit-com that has stayed on the air too long.  I think the idea is that a sit-com wants to go out in style - while it still has viewers, rather than being cancelled because no one is interested in anymore.

I was thinking this morning about my career as a fitness instructor.  I started teaching when I was 20 years old.  My classes loved my energy and sense of humor.  They appreciated the structure that I put in to my classes - even back then you could always depend on my classes having an outline, even though the choreography changed. 

At 21 I moved to Charleston, South Carolina.  In Charleston I taught up to 16 times a week to fund my education.  I started developing my kickboxing class in Charleston.  I ran a marathon.  I moved to Columbia at 27.  I had a baby.  While I was pregnant I taught up to 6 times a week.  As soon as I could, I resumed teaching.  I taught 16 classes a week as recently as 2 years ago, but usually I was scheduled for more like 5 - 7 classes a week.  This was on top of working full time as a web developer and being a Mom full time.

Over the course of 15 years, especially during the last 4, something happened.  You would assume that I burned out, but that wasn't it.  Group fitness is something that I have always maintained a deep passion for.  What happened to me was NOT instructor burn out.  I don't even think it was an instructor issue.  It was something deeper, something that sneaks up. 

Ego, career, and genetics conspired.  I became a less than excellent instructor.

I still knew exactly what teaching a great class was about, and I still had the ability to execute a superior class.  But, I was overweight and exhausted.  Although I still taught a great class, all the elements of an excellent experience for the participant were not there.  Teaching became less and less rewarding.  It became a workout and an obligation.  I had 'jumped the shark' as an instructor.

Finally, after my second baby I was forced to choose between my career and teaching lots of classes.  It's just not possible to work full time (+ some), be a great Mom, and teach 5 classes a week.  At least not for me.

2 years ago I became a group fitness participant.  I started going to the gym every day at 5:30AM to take a class.  I gave up teaching to a large degree.  Out of all the classes I was teaching I chose to keep only one.

And something began to change again.  Teaching that one class is once again a rewarding experience, rather than obligation.  My participants in that one class are fanatical.  I teach an excellent class.

Beyond that, I have changed.  As I noticed my size 12P pants falling off of me this morning I saw my 'aerobics instructor' body coming back.  My muscles are stronger and more flexible.  And there has been a positive change in my attitude and emotions.

I think the improvement can be attributed to one thing: I have taken time away from the giving, giving, giving that we do as instructors.  I have learned to re-evaluate and re-prioritize.   How did I think that I could keep giving to my participants, when the well was dry?  I have 2 small children at home and a demanding job.  I did not have 5 classes a week left in me to give.

So here is my point: When you see that what you are doing is no longer working, it's time for a change.  It MAY be time to re-evaluate your priorities.  Or it may be time to step away, re-think your role, and live a new way for a while.  Don't risk 'jumping the shark.'

The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  In the future I hope I will be able to teach more.  Maybe when the kids are gone or when I win the lottery and quit my job.  But until then, I will only teach as many classes as I can teach VERY WELL.  That I promise myself.