Gatecrasher Jam

05 Dec 2022 || Virgin Active Mill Hill

I chose to launch Gatecrasher Jam at the place where I got my very first permanent class 9 years ago, a year after becoming a Body Jam instructor. The stars aligned – Monday the 5th of December 2022 was my actual 50th birthday and where better than to launch the venture at this venue, on this date, in my own class. My long-suffering husband, Dave, had offered to take me out for dinner somewhere special. All credit to him for completely understanding and being totally supportive when I told him what I actually wanted to do instead. As they say, “happy wife, happy life!”

We have always done themed launches at both Mill Hill and Ealing, where I teach. It’s simply an excuse to dress up and be silly for an hour or so. This time was no different, and we went with Hawaii Five-0 as our theme (naturally).

And what an incredible night it was. It was a full house, and the members totally rocked the theme, decorated the studio, brought balloons and cake and showered me with gifts and cash donations for the charities. I was overwhelmed, to say the least.

We ran over time, as we knew we would, really… but as it was the last class of the evening, it didn’t matter – we had the blessing of Marcin Francke, Head of Exercise Experience at the club (big shout out to the man!). For Jammers reading this, if you’re curious, we did:

• Warmup: Hype track from Body Jam UNITED (Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now)
• Block 1: Body Jam 100 Hip Hop – so new, yet so vintage
• Recovery: Meghan Trainor’s Me Too (track 2) from Body Jam 79
• Block 2: Up All Night House Block from Body Jam 89
• Groovedown: Do It Again from Body Jam 75

From Cheese to Hardcore in an hour!

And I need to tell you about Sally. Like me, she started off as a participant, in hallowed Studio 1 at (then Virgin Active, now Nuffield Health) Ealing Broadway. Like me, she became a late-to-the-party fitness instructor. Like me, she’s so passionate about the programme, and about getting people together and spreading the love.

We are chalk and cheese in other parts of our lives (I’m chalk, she’s cheese – although quite vegan!) but when it comes to Jam, dancing and friendship, this woman is my kindred spirit. She will hate me for writing this but: she’s kind, and generous, and beautiful inside and out, kooky, incredibly private, tends to disappear unexpectedly, like a cat, but always there when you need her most. We all need a Sally in our lives – never ever in your face, but always has your back.

Roll on Friday the 9th – Gatecrasher Jam #2 will be at Nuffield Health ealing Broadway, where I will be team teaching with the delicious Patrick Mougin.