Rising Stars: Meet Michele Bond

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Bond.

Hi Michele, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
After leaving the recording business as a studio manager and vocal producer, I chose a completely different path for a new profession. While the music business was certainly exciting and rewarding, it was laden with many 14+ hour days, executives screaming, and never seeing the sun. I wanted my health back and to work for myself. 

After deciding to end that career, I met a different type of studio owner and traded my headphones for sneakers. I took part in an infomercial study testing out some new fitness equipment. The study got canned, but I stayed around, knowing very well that I belonged in this environment. Many of us in the study stayed and worked out at this small facility in Santa Monica, lifting weights and taking really amazing classes. The studio owner asked me to try leading a class one day for a few minutes. After the class, he said, “You should really look into teaching.” Well, coming from an extremely precision-oriented career, I knew I had to lead perhaps this new endeavor with the same theme. 

I got my first fitness certification, but I was absolutely not satisfied with how little I needed to know to be in charge of navigating someone’s whole fitness plan. I pursued studying cardiovascular conditioning and tried to find resources to help me with understanding muscle function better. I worked in that small studio for a year, took on clients, and led 5K to half marathon training. I even worked the front desk. I did it all. However, I needed to see what I was capable of in the bigger world. 

I moved on to a large upscale health club and gained access to the mentor that simply forged my path to where I am today. It was a tough call leaving the small place and now having to create a whole new client base and compete with top-notch trainers. I relied on what I knew best ~ precision and customer service. I was genuinely interested in what people wanted out of life. This was not about me just telling someone to do some exercises, but to really understand how their body responded to the training and guidance I provided. 

I received much of my initial education at this establishment and was encouraged to press on and learn more ~, and I did. I got involved with courses in nutrition, functional anatomy, corrective exercise, and exercise programming. However, about 6 years into that, I felt like I was piecing different courses together, but I had no real base. After all, I got a B.S. in Music Performance, and although I’m a quick study in the sciences, I needed more. In 2012, I decided that I wanted to go back to school and get my master’s degree in Kinesiology. This is the study of human movement and brings together mechanics, anatomy, physiology, and neurology. 

With a small child at the time and a full client load, I was not sure how this was going to work, but I was determined. I wanted to rise above the trainer status and align myself with the research and academic community. After taking my prerequisites, I pushed on, and it was challenging. I enjoyed it so. I was able to take that information and apply it to my clients the next day. Still, something was missing. 

That is when I started hearing more and more about fascia. The short definition is that fascia is the continuous body-wide web of connective tissue that surrounds and penetrates all structures. I read articles and knew this was indeed the missing link to explain so much more about human movement and function. I knew I wanted to be an expert on fascia and bring this vital information to my practice. While in my master’s program, I went to fascia conferences, secured the mentorship of two of the most prominent researchers of our time, did human dissections with experts, and taught this information to my clients. I now have published research in this field, a chapter on foam rolling in a prominent 2nd edition fascia textbook with all my heroes and have come up with my proprietary biomechanical movement assessment and corrective exercise system. 

I am at a place now where I keep refining my methods, keep studying, and most of all, keep learning and listening to my clients. They are simply my best teachers. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Making a decision to change careers was not an easy one. I love music and will always love music. But there is a difference between loving something and being involved with something that is stressing you out. I knew it was time to make a change. Trying to make time for studies, raising a child with my husband, keeping a home, maintaining a social calendar, and keeping myself healthy was no short order. I simply had to let some things go. I got off of all social media. Could not do it. I talked on the phone more because meeting up with friends had to really be a planned thing. I had to be in total control of my schedule. I had to make tough choices all the time about what event I could attend. I missed out on a good amount of things. 

It was also daunting to realize that I was responsible for my own plan. I was on my own, making this all up by myself. The decision to get involved with the fascia research community was an easy one, but I was just this student approaching very accomplished doctors, surgeons, researchers, and practitioners of all types trying to enter into this world. Fortunately, this group of people was very welcoming, but I had to earn my keep by showing how I could apply the science and show the results. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a Kinesiologist, I am still part of the fitness community per say, but it’s really more of a branch from that. While I still assign the traditional programs for weight training, weight loss, and event preparation, my specialty is my proprietary biomechanical assessment and corrective exercise system – The Kinesiogram™. Everyone that comes through my doors must go through this assessment before I will work with them. 

This 90-minute biomechanical assessment is an 11-point movement evaluation where I watch someone move in a particular way at each of the main joints and explain my findings. In that same session, I teach a person a corrective exercise plan that addresses some of the shortcomings of what I found in the movement assessment. If someone wants more, there is the 6-session option ~ the Kinesiogram™ Premier. Then, after that, I can continue to provide additional training services depending on the goal. I do this for high school athletes as well. This is a vital time for them to have this information and regimen. 

This system is simply a must for any person exercising, wants to exercise, or who is involved with sports. This is what I am known for and what sets me apart. My expert knowledge about fascia allows me to explain what is happening in someone’s body as it pertains to pain (after medical clearance), stiffness, and lack of coordination and connection. 

I absolutely enjoy giving this information to people. It helps people understand that if they continue to exercise in a body that is misaligned, they may be causing an injury, and getting to their goal may not happen. I give people the tools to self-correct and depend on themselves. It is a joy to watch. 

I have a podcast called The Body Uncovered that can be found on their favorite podcast directory.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
My favorite childhood memory was driving to the beach with my family. I am from San Jose, CA, and the drive to Santa Cruz took about an hour. I remember reaching the summit on Highway 17, and I knew it was about 20 more minutes. We would spend all day in that golden sand, and that is when I fell in love with the beach. 

Pricing:

• I offer a complimentary 2o min. consultation

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michelebond.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele__bond/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelebond001
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelebond007/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kinesiopro
• Google Page: https://maps.app.goo.gl/shxyjuy3QoxBRN7t9