June 28, 2025 "Who is mimicking you?"
Last bootcamp I had the guys at the 5AM session end our class with the cooldown. And as always, I began my announcements, but before I could finish, the men in the class started mimicking me! And not just halfway, either – they nailed every phrase, every gesture. Everyone was doubled over in laughter. I was laughing so hard I had tears coming down my face and my stomach hurting from laughing so much. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
But not everyone feels that way about being mimicked. Check this story out.
A Grandma had just made it to the top of the stairs, breathing a little heavier than she'd like to admit. She didn't notice her granddaughter behind her until she heard exaggerated grunting and heavy stomping on the steps. Turning around, she saw her 2 year old granddaughter hunched over, clutching her knees, dramatically gasping for air.
“Ugh... these stairs,” the child groaned. “I need a break!”
It took Grandma a second to realize: she was being mimicked. They locked eyes. The child burst into giggles. Grandma... did not.
That night, she said to herself, “I’ve gotta go back to Taddas.” and she signed up for this bootcamp. As I was going over her FIT3d bodyscan I asked her what her goals were and that’s when she shared this story. She said I don’t want my grandchildren to mimic me anymore but more importantly I don’t want my grandchildren to have this as their only memory of me. She’s says I’m only 55 I want to be here, fully present and active in their lives.
This same week I had a conversation with one of my childhood friends Deadrea who lives at TFC. Fitness is a big part of her life so much that when she gets her grandkids every summer (they live out of state) one of their first questions the girls ask is when going to the gym, we want to play on the purple floor. When she got her grandkids this summer 5 & 8 years old she received a lot of compliments and praise from other clients. One client states, “You’re making me feel bad. I mean my grandkids live right here in the city and I rarely get them especially overnight and they definitely have never been to the gym with me.”
Or I'm so impressed how you have the kids up so early, dressed so nice, behave so well while you workout.
The majority of the time while Deadrea is working out so are they. They are flipping, jumping over objects, racing each other, they are being active kids, not glued to a screen. They ask for healthy food options because they see how she eats. This summer, they asked me, “Auntie Tadda can we join your class?” My heart just skipped a beat. I mean I’ve watched these babies grow and they want to workout with me. I put them out there. They are no stranger to exercising, when the 5 year old fell instead of crying she popped right up and said I’m alright. When fitness is introduced young, it’s fun so as they age it won’t feel like a chore or punishment.
How you're mimicked by the youngsters in your life is a true depiction of what you do when you think no one is watching you.
So, the next time my client climbs those stairs, after this bootcamp she won’t be mimicked for being out of shape but for breaking the generational curses.
Want to know how your child or grandchildren, nieces or nephews see you?
Ask them these two questions.
- What is your favorite thing that I do?
- Where's your favorite place that I take you to?
If they pause for too long…maybe it’s time to spend more moments that make memories. No Mess.
