I first met Megan in one of my fitness Intensive programs. I remember noticing her beautiful strength, control, and focus and wondering, “Who is this girl??” I came to know Megan as an incredibly warm, knowledgeable and capable trainer. She is one of my premiere prenatal fitness experts and also a popular Body Conceptions instructor at Rutgers University.
I feel lucky to know Megan, and I’m happy that you’ll get to know her a bit here, too!
~Mahri
Where were you born? Edison NJ
Where did you grow up? Washington, NJ
What’s your biggest passion? To Dance! That’s why I love what I do so much. I get to dance and help others feel good about themselves.
Tell me about your career. Have you changed direction? If so, why? Yes! I was training to be a professional ballet dancer when I got a career-ending back injury during my senior year of high school. All of that time spent trying to rehabilitate myself led me to decide to become a Pilates and fitness trainer.
What do you wish you knew when you were younger? Not to spend so much time worrying! I think I wasted a lot of time in my head, and I’ve learned since to pay more attention to what’s in my heart.
What’s your fitness style? A combination of enthusiasm and focus.
What piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten? Never stop dancing! I was told this when I was going through my injury and I think the real message there was that no matter what happens, find a way to do what you love.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)? I almost always wear socks. I have a bit of a foot phobia!
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Watching every and any reality show!
What quality do you really cherish about yourself? I’m determined to keep learning and growing so I can become the best version of myself.
Anything else about you that I missed? I’ve been very lucky to have really amazing parents who are responsible for me now being able to live a life filled with passion and joy.
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/Meganphoto-copy.jpg10141321bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2014-03-02 03:31:032014-03-02 03:45:25Meet the Wonderful Megan Beers!!
Many of the trainers who work for Body Conceptions are performers who can be seen on stages around the world – and Erin is no exception. We are excited to welcome her back after her amazing run as Maggie in an Indianapolis production of Lend Me a Tenor. Anyone who trains with Erin knows how infectiously enthusiastic and hard-working she is. She will make you laugh while simultaneously work you harder than ever in your life. Erin will be teaching class again at Stepping Out Studios – so be sure to come check her out!!
~Mahri
Full Name: Erin Phyllis West
Where were you born? I was born at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Hospital in Aurora, CO. My dad was in the Air Force at the time.
Where did you grow up? My Dad was transferred to the Little Rock Air Force Base when I was five and soon after retired. He decided we should stay in Arkansas, so I grew up there.
What’s your biggest passion? Oh that’s easy–Music. I grew up listening to my parents’ records, I made up dances in the living room to my favorite songs, I started singing and my heart just LOVED it. I got my degree in music from Oklahoma City University. But aside from all that, I just think that music has the power to evoke feeling from people in the most incredibly special way. I could go on and on about it, but it will suffice to say that music is my passion.
Tell me about your career. Have you changed direction? If so, why? Oh man, my career as a performer has brought some awesome opportunities. I have performed in Japan and China. I got to do the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I have performed in shows around the U.S. with some really talented and wonderful people—I’ve been very lucky! I think there comes a time in every performer’s life where they ask themselves, “What is next for me? What is the career that I can turn to when I’m not performing anymore?” I started asking myself that seriously about a year ago, which lead me to pursue fitness. I don’t consider it a change of direction, I consider it more of a logical transition. That’s not to say I’ve given up on performing, but I’ve just allowed myself another path to travel, and I’m loving it!
What do you wish you knew when you were younger? I wish I had known that it doesn’t matter what other people say about you.
What’s your fitness style? Haha, well I think my clients and the people who take my class would say it’s BALLS TO THE WALL ENERGY. And, I think I’d probably agree. I can’t hide my excitement for exercise and I love that I get to work out along WITH my clients. It’s exhilarating! AND I pick music that gets me really excited
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten? Well, the dance program at my college used to weigh us in every month and our weight would affect our grade. Later on, someone told me that it doesn’t matter what the numbers say–it matters how you FEEL. That, to me, was a much more positive notion. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers instead of staying off the scale and listening to our bodies.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)? I don’t often tell people that I used to do pageants as a teenager. It was my idea (not my mom’s) and I did it mostly so I could perform. The highest I ever placed was first runner-up in the Miss Mount Nebo Chicken Fry pageant. (I’m not kidding about the title.) I quit pageants after that.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? I really love those little chocolate donuts that you can buy at the gas station in a six-pack. Oh man…. And put them in the refrigerator? Forget about it!
What quality do you really cherish about yourself? I think this is a tough question because it’s not something you get asked often…. Something I really cherish is the wonderful friends I have. Every one of them is just so kind and inspiring and smart and I feel so lucky to have such incredible people that care about me. So, whatever quality I have that makes them treasure me–that’s one that I cherish.
Anything else about you that I missed? Yes–you missed the time I introduced myself to L.L. Cool J on a flight from New York to Atlanta and then realized an hour later that my fly was completely open.
https://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/ballet.jpg720524bodyconceptionshttp://bodyconceptions.com/wp-content/uploads/bodyconception-logo.pngbodyconceptions2014-02-02 16:54:292014-02-02 17:00:50Fabulous Trainer (and recent performer!): Erin West
I am so happy to have such great people working for me. Lauren is such a creative and dedicated trainer. If you can, try one of her fantastic classes this month at Stepping Out Studios. You’ll have a blast!
~Mahri
Full Name: Lauren Rodriguez Johnson
Where were you born? Naples, Florida
Where did you grow up?I spent half of my childhood in Naples and the rest in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What’s your biggest passion? Dance, and pretty much anything that keeps me moving and lets me be a little bit of a ham
Tell me about your career. Have you changed direction? If so, why? For me, fitness and performing have always gone hand in hand. I have always considered fitness to be a big part of my dance career because it keeps me active and feeling and looking great. Now I’m taking advantage of my knowledge and experience to help others find a way to a higher well being and better self image.
What do you wish you knew when you were younger? That you can’t please everyone. I am still guilty of this from time to time, but I have learned that there comes a point that you need to be able to say “no” and put your own well being first.
What’s your fitness style? I am pretty disciplined and driven. I have always been self-motivated and goal oriented. That being said the free spirit in me has to love what I’m doing. If I don’t get enjoyment from it, I can’t stick to it.
What’s the best piece of health/wellness/dance advice you’ve ever gotten? To be a “smart” dancer. So many times in the dance world we push ourselves so hard to reach perfection that we don’t take the time to consider what it could do to our bodies in the long run. I have always known that I wanted dance to be a part of my life forever, so I strive to keep myself as educated as possible in the realm of anatomy and sports medicine because I truly believe that if you take care of your body, it will take care of you.
What’s something most people don’t know about you (that’s maybe a little funny or weird)? I fall asleep to I Love Lucy every night, and according to my husband, will often times sing along with the musical numbers in my sleep
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Twizzlers, I can eat an entire bag at a time!
What quality do you really cherish about yourself? My wholeheartedness. Whether I’m teaching a class, performing or spending time with family and friends I try to put my whole heart into it and do everything with gusto. For me everyday is an opportunity to live life with unreserved enthusiasm.
Anything else about you that I missed? I am happily married to a wonderful guy who is a talented musician. We have a 13 year old dog named Humphrey who is the light of our lives. The “doing all things with gusto” sometimes backfires and makes me a bit of a klutz. I am half Cuban and half Italian. And I am convinced that I have the best family and friends a person could ask for and am extremely grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people every day!
