Today’s Guest – Sarah Maccarelli Jordan
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
My name is Sarah Maccarelli Jordan and I’m a 32 year old hoop dance instructor for kids. I specialize in helping kids find fun ways to stay active. And I teach people all over the world how to start their own hula hoop classes for kids.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
As child, I was a dancer and a gymnast. I idolized my gymnastics teachers and dance teachers. They influenced me to stay healthy and fit. I had no trouble staying fit because I found things to do that were fun and didn’t feel like exercise.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
They made it clear that eating healthy would help me perform better, so it motivated me eat healthy.They framed eating healthy in a way that would interest me. They didn’t just say “vegetables are good for you” or “don’t smoke because you’re not allowed” but rather, “if you want to be able to do a back handspring, you’ll need to be strong so do this and eat lots of healthy vegetables.”
4. How did their lesson change your life?
It made me see that what you eat has either positive or negative consequences. You have the power to choose health by staying informed and making good choices. It’s very liberating when you find out you’re not just a victim of genetics, that certain genes can be turned OFF or ON with food.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
I don’t have children of my own, but I specialize in teaching hula hoop dance classes for kids. So my message is that fitness can be fun. It doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or running track if that isn’t fun for you. I encourage my students to try new things. You might think you hate vegetables, but there are hundreds of vegetables you haven’t heard of or tried, so how can you know before you try.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
Find an exercise or sport/activity you enjoy and stick with it.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?