10-year Anniversary Spin - Thursday, October 30, 2008

I can't believe I have been teaching spinning for 10 years! I taught my first class at Todd Tramp's Bodysculpting LA (where Train is now on the corner of La Cienega and Melrose) on August 2, 1998. The top songs of that year were Brandy & Monica's duet, "The Boy Is Mine", Shania Twain's "You're Still The One", and LeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live". The top-selling albums were by Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, the Backstreet Boys, Shania Twain, and the Titanic Soundtrack! The top movies of that year were "Saving Private Ryan", "Armegeddon" and "There's Something About Mary". I was coming to terms with who I was. I was struggling with my sexuality, and slowly but surely, I was coming out! At the time, I was General Manager of Todd Tramp's Bodysculpting which was just about the largest private training facility in Los Angeles. I had been studying under Todd Tramp, Andrea Lawent, and Debbie Rocker. I also approached Kendell Hogan about teaching at Crunch which had just opened recently. I was placed on the sub list and have been teaching there ever since. I now teach 6 days a week! I absolutely love it!

This Thursday, the usual Sexy Spin will be expanded (not replaced) to include special guests, prizes and even more excitement than usual! Don't worry, you will still get the same intense, form-focused, fun class that you have become accustomed to. I would never interfere with that. But, everyone in attendance will be leaving with something extra: a gift bag, tickets to Spring Awakening opening this week at the Ahmanson, free tans at Sunstyle Tanning (Official Sponsor of Sexy Spin), and more!

And I am also trying to raise awareness for two very worthy causes:

VOTE NO ON PROP 8!

I usually try not to bring politics into The Ride, but as this is the last Sexy Spin before the election next week, I have to encourage everyone to vote NO ON PROP 8! Prop 8 is an attempt to strip rights away from individuals. It would take away the right for gays to marry. I married my partner, Rich, this summer, and we now have two beautiful twin boys, Austin and Aiden. Prop 8 would take away the legality and rights of my marriage. I want everyone to have the same and equal rights under the law, without discrimination of anyone based on sexual orientation. So please, vote NO ON PROP 8! Click on the logo below to visit the website and learn more!



Open Artists With Open Arms

Guy B is an spin instructor here at Crunch, and he often subs my classes for me when I am out of town. He is an amazing instructor, but also an amazingly talented musical artist and performer! I often play his music in class. Guy is putting on an event Tuesday, November 11th called "Open Artists With Open Arms". It is a night of performances which will benefit LIFEWORKS which offers mentoring to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth. So please, support this event and the very worthy cause! Click on the logo below to visit the website and learn more!



Thanks to everyone who has taken my classes over the years. Thanks for your support. I couldn't do it without you. I love creating or "choreographing" the classes, putting the music together, and encouraging everyone to get the most out of their efforts while in class. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't still be doing this 10 years later!

So make plans to attend Sexy Spin this Thursday, October 30th as I celebrate 10 years as an instructor!

In good health,

tommy