Interview with Shellie
Blanks Cimarosti - June 23, 2003
Shellie Blanks Cimarosti has been kind enough to do an interview
for the Fan's Page. Shellie is a
Tae Bo Instructor and is also Billy's daughter. You can see her
in all the Tae Bo videos, usually right behind Billy. She is
a very inspiring person to many Tae Bo fans.
Shellie has agreed to answer a few questions for her fans. I've
received numerous emails asking more about Shellie -- so read
on, fans! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions, and
especially thanks to Shellie for taking time out of her very
busy schedule to answer these questions for us. Thanks alot Shellie,
you are a truly inspiring person!
TaeBoFans: When did you start
doing Tae-Bo? At what age did you first start teaching?
Shellie: I started doing Tae Bo when my dad
used to have us use it as a training regiment in our Tae Kwon
Do class. I was about 11 years old. I started teaching Tae
Bo at the age of 20.
TBF: What kind of Martial Arts were you involved
in as a child? What kind of championships did you compete in
(any titles held)?Shellie:I study Tae Kwon Do and have been
since I was two years old. I won the Jr. Olympic Gold Medal
in sparring when I was 14, and later that year I won the Open
Jiu-jitsu World Championship. I actually had to fight one of
my best friends and teammates!
TBF: What other forms of exercise do you include
in your workout routine when you are not teaching Tae Bo?
Shellie: When I am not teaching Tae Bo, I
love to do martial arts, weight training and Impact Tae Bo.
TBF: Do you follow a specific diet? What are
some foods you really enjoy? Dislikes?
Shellie: When I am getting ready for T.V..or
videos (like now!), I like to eat more protein than carbs.
I eat really healthy all during the week-no sweets. On Sunday
I have one sweet. I really enjoy Indian food and Italian food.
I don't like any seafood.
TBF: What kind of advice would you give to
someone who would like to get certified to teach Taebo?
Shellie: To get certified in Tae Bo, I would
tell someone that they should definitely prepare mentally and
spiritually. Examine the reasons why you want to become an
instructor. Is it for your own reasons, or to forget about
yourself to help someone else? Also, to practice lots of grace
and of course your technique.
TBF: What was life like growing up as the
daughter of Billy Blanks? What are some of the challenges in
having to work with your dad?
Shellie: Growing up with my dad has been the
best. I have learned so much from him and really admire his
love for people. I guess the only challenge has been that with
the celebrity part of it, sometimes it's hard to have privacy.
TBF: How did you meet your husband?
Shellie: I met my husband at a video shoot!
He actually had been working out at our studio, but asked me
out at a video shoot.
TBF: What are some hobbies you enjoy in your
spare time?
Shellie: I enjoy reading, and going to the
movies. I have also started to take up golf.
TBF: What do you enjoy most about teaching
Tae Bo?
Shellie: I enjoy seeing people reach their
goals. I love to hear life changing stories about Tae Bo. It
inspires me to want to continue this for the rest of my life.
And I love to see people smile.
TBF: How do you stay excited about Tae Bo
day after day?
Shellie: I stay excited about Tae Bo every
day by doing Tae Bo for myself and staying involved in everything
that goes on. And most importantly, I pray everyday for God
to give me the power to stay on top of my game to help others
and to serve Him.
TBF: How do you get yourself through a workout
on a day when you feel tired or not motivated?
Shellie: Again, when I'm tired, I pray and
once I get going, the tiredness goes away. I just remember
that I have a job to do.
TBF: What do you think the future holds for
Tae-Bo and for yourself?
Shellie: Tae Bo will be around forever and
when my dad is ready to retire, I will take over and make sure
that Tae Bo stays alive with his dream of spreading God's love
throughout the world!
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