Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudine Cooper.
Claudine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Over 25 years ago, after losing a family member to homicide & a close friend to suicide, I fell into a grief induced depression. My mom forced me to see a therapist. This particular therapist was not one for prescribing medication, but instead she suggested a natural remedy; Daily exercise. I rummaged through my mom’s VHS tapes and found some corny workout videos. I muted the sound and turned on my own music (specifically NWA, DJ Quick, and AMG). Miraculously, I found myself feeling a little bit better each day. I applied for a job at my local gym and the rest is history.
For my entire adult life, I have been teaching fitness classes AT THE GYM, but one day, a woman explained to me that she could no longer take my classes because she couldn’t afford her gym membership. That made me sad. Not just because she couldn’t come to class, but also because health and fitness should be accessible to ALL. I’m not one to sit up and complain about a problem. I’d rather find a solution. So that’s what I did.
Five years ago, I took a leap of faith, scaled down my schedule at the gym and began teaching FREE classes in my neighborhood of Inglewood, California. The Saturday morningclasses at DARBY PARK have become a shining light in our community. People come from Inglewood, Compton, South LA, and Hawthorne to exercise together at Darby Park. We exchange business ideas and offer community support and connect with one another in a healthy, positive way.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle has been working for free. There are days when I would like to sleep in, days where I would rather attend my children’s sporting events, days where I am feeling unmotivated, but this work is meaningful and impactful and purposeful. So on the challenging days, I just pray for strength to do what I am called to do.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I teach fitness classes because I believe that exercise is a powerful way to heal the mind, body, and soul. My promise is that I will never bait and switch on the people who train with me. They come for a FREE workout. I give them a FREE workout. No selling supplements, waist trainers, or coaching services. No hidden agenda. No post-workout sales pitch. That’s my word.
What were you like growing up?
My family calls me an old soul. I was raised with young parents, active grandparents, and a slew of uncles and cousins. I am the oldest of six kids. It was my responsibility to help with my siblings because my mother was single and my father was incarcerated. Monetarily, we didn’t have much, but when it came to love, my family knows how to do it. I’m simply a reflection of the love that was bestowed upon me.
Pricing:
- Classes are FREE
Contact Info:
- Address: Darby Park Saturday 8 am
3400 W Arbor Vitae St, Inglewood, CA 90305 - Website: claudinecooper.com
- Phone: 310-428-2388
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @fitwit3
- Facebook: Claudine Cooper
- Twitter: @fitwit3
Image Credit:
Professional Photography by PorterhouseLA, Action photography by Cudjo Collins
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