The day i've been waiting for since March 2015 has finally come! The girls and I were ready to #sweatwithkayla
I didn't know what to expect other than knowing that Kayla would do her thing and kill us all Haha. Prior to this boot camp i watched the session she did at her Amsterdam Boot Camp and saw how fast paced the session was, so i knew not to over work myself to much during the week to prep myself... and boy was i right!
I felt rushed in the morning, didn't get to make myself a smoothie so i just settled for green tea and cereal topped with blueberries. There was track work on the Western line so we had to catch bus and then change over at Granville station.
After having a quick munch on our breakfast bars on the train, the girls and i got to the venue (Olympic Park) just after 8 and waited (in the very long line) for about 15 minutes until we got to the front where we got to take photos with the instagram frame. The turn out of people was 5x more than the Active Nation Day 2015 boot camp for sure! It was insane but to be expected seeing as Kayla has accumulated such a huge and increasing fan base and #BGGcommunity especially within the last two years. I also had my doubts and was unsure whether i'd cave in to the opportunity to meet Kayla because of how long the line would be after.
When we finally got through the security, we were greeted with music pumping and a big S W E A T pink letter display and we couldn't help but run up to it and take photos haha. We walked over to the stage and noticed how spacious it was, and even though it looked like we were in a decent spot which seemed like the middle because there was so much more space behind us (well it might've been just me and my poor poor eye sight) as we arrived there an hour and a half before starting time, but we were actually pretty far. which suddenly made me even more eager to meet Kayla because i wanted to see her properly! When we found our spots, Kayla's boyfriend Tobi came on the stage and introduced himself as the MC and read the terms and conditions of the event as we patiently waited for Kayla.
When Kayla was introduced to come out, everyone was looking at all angles to see where she would come from! People were looking towards the stage, on the sides and down the aisle, (which was where i was hoping for) and then there she was on stage! She said her hello's and thanked everyone for coming and then just went straight to the warm up exercises that went for about 3 minutes and then a 30 second break before beginning her circuits.
The whole session went for about 45 minutes including stretches and it was my most intense boot camp yet! She did arms, abs and leg circuits in 30 second intervals 3 times and then did other work out challenges. An example of one of them was Kayla would split the room into groups and instruct us to do specific exercises for 2 minutes and then swap over. Some people from Kayla's team were giving away merchandise during the workout, However, whenever they would coincidently walk over to our side, i would be struggling or dying so there was no way i was going to get a freebie that way!
When I recently started BBG 1.0 again for the third time, i started to time myself properly and i try to do the circuits as fast as i possibly can (honestly) but on this day her 30 second intervals felt like 20. I was on struggle street! but Nonetheless, still tried to push through. It didn't help though when most of the exercises she chose were the ones i dreaded the most.. including Snap jump in and outs, burpees and Jump lunges, just to name a few..
By the end of the work out session she made me dislike mountain climbers even more. (It seemed like they were included into almost every round!) Overall, my favourite circuit was her ab circuit seeing as we were on the floor the entire time, but it was still a killer because while we were doing those exercises i could definitely feel the burn.
When the struggle was over, we went straight into stretching and cool downs as Kayla talked to us about her journey and BBG. If i was being honest though, I used this time to make more memory on my phone for photos instead of focusing on stretching properly. Oops!
When stretching was finished everyone rushed, ran and sped walked to the front of the stage as Kayla wanted to take a massive selfie with the crowd and was literally throwing free merchandise! Everyone had their arms stretched out ready to charge. I badly wanted something but i knew there would be no hope given my short arms , reflexes and hopeless catching skills, but my friend Lisa managed to catch a #sweatwithkayla bottle! (Lucky her)
It was during this time, that i realised the morning and work out session went by so so soo quickly that i really couldn't believe it.
Thankfully we wern't too far down the line but it was still probably a half an hour wait. (You should have seen the HUGE line behind us!) After awhile it hit me that we were ACTUALLY meeting her. I mentally was NOT prepared. I had all these questions: What do i say to her? Do i take a solo photo? a selfie ? A group photo? Do i hug her ? How do i tell her she's an inspiration to me? What ? How? ... Just standing in the line was making me so nervous. I tried to compose myself, but on the inside i was freaking out. There was so much i wanted to say to Kayla. I saw people giving her gifts and then it dawned on me i should have wrote her a LETTER as i knew i wouldn't be able to tell her EVERYTHING i wanted to say.
Me: Kayla you are honestly amazing , you are such a huge inspiration to me! I have Cerebral Palsy and i do your workouts and even though i modify some they are amazing (WARNING: 'amazing' is said about about 10 times Haha)
Kayla: Omg that's amazing you can't even tell just by looking at you!! So what is it that's affected ?
Me: Yeah i modify pretty much most of your exercises but i do them the best i can . but its mainly my right side and leg.
Kayla: so it's mainly your leg. what are they doing to it now, do you go physio or ?
Me: (in my head: OMG she's asking about me, she's so nice *FREAKS OUT*)
Me: Yeah well i've had two correctional surgeries because i used to walk on my toe and so they operated and twisted my hip and operated on my right leg.. it's never going to be 100% cured or anything but i'm walking better now than before and working out.
Kayla: No, yeah but it's amazing how you can do these exercises, that's incredible.
Me: Thank you so much!! you're amazing *Hugs goodbye*
Kayla: Thank you so much for coming it was good meeting you!
Me: you tooo! *omg i actually met her*
Kayla is such a nice and down to earth person to talk to, i wish i wasn't super nervous though and couldn't help being extremely star struck by her, but i was so surprised when she was interested to know more about my Cerebral Palsy. I really wish i could have given her a letter too though but initially i really didn't think I'd actually get to meet her and i was lost for words when i did.
When i woke up the next morning , i found my arms and shoulders were kiiiillllingggg me the most that I had to take a rest day, seeing as i worked out for 5 days that week anyways.
Below is a little video montage i put together, showing highlights from the day. Enjoy
Overall, i enjoyed the day especially doing another bootcamp with my two friends. It certainly kicked my butt and gave me the motivation i needed and it was amazing to see all these women come together. Kayla has done so much for her age at only 24 and i love how even though her exercise guides are called 'Bikini Body Guides' she always emphasises that health and fitness is all about FEELING confident in yourself and reminds girls to enjoy the journey and progress as she posts transformation photos of girls all different shapes and sizes.
Sure there are similar guides and workouts around, but there's something about the way Kayla presents herself that makes me and so many other girls stay on track with active living. I may mix and match with workouts, but i still incorporate her her guides into my routine.
Even though the boot camp killed me and it was challenging, i would definitely go again, so i'm hoping she does another one in the future!
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It is very inspiring to know that despite of having cerebral palsy didn't stop you from doing what makes you happy. I wish people with CP could see life how you do and live life beautifully and meaningful. Keep up the good job and hope your blog gets the attention of more people who could need a boost of spirit. Have a good day.
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