What started as a one-woman operation in 2011 has now grown to a group of 5 amazing women bringing you different classes with their own unique style. As we continue to expand here at Yvonne’s Fitness, we are excited to introduce Judy Lam as our new in-person Strong Nation instructor! After over two years of offering this high-intensity class exclusively online, Judy is finally bringing it back to face-to-face classes at the Lindenwoods Community Centre.
Judy’s journey with Strong Nation started right here at Yvonne’s Fitness. When we started offering this new class in 2018, at that time called Strong by Zumba, Judy joined in as one of our students. After falling in love with the class, she decided to take the training and become an instructor herself. (Fun Fact: Judy and Brittany did their Strong Nation training together!). Over the last few years, Judy has team-taught with Yvonne and Brittany, attended classes with other instructors in Winnipeg to learn and hone her own skill, and has taught all of our virtual Strong Nation pop-ups since spring of 2022. We are so glad to have Judy on the team!
JUDY AS A STRONG NATION INSTRUCTOR
How long have you been doing Strong Nation?
I have been doing Strong since Yvonne introduced the class. If I had to quantify - eons!
What motivated you to become a Strong Nation instructor?
I really enjoyed taking the class and thought it would be cool to teach it. It also helped to have Yvonne’s encouragement to sign up for the training.
What do you enjoy about Strong Nation as a student? As an instructor?
As a student - I love martial arts movements, which Strong has a lot of. And I enjoy how the class challenges me and pushes my body to its limits.
As an instructor, I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for the class with others and hoping they will enjoy it as much as I do.
What was your first Strong Nation experience like?
I definitely felt shy, weird and awkward because I couldn’t follow the steps or get the body to move the way it should. But the class structure is very repetitive, so it didn’t take long to catch on.
If you could give one tip to a brand new Strong Nation student, what would it be?
There are so many tips to share! But if I had to give just one, it would be to study the instructor’s moves, listen to the cues. The moves can be very technical, precise and intense - there’s a lot of power behind what we’re doing in Strong. Observing the foot placement for a punch or a kick is important not only for avoiding injury, but also for packing your punches as hard as you can.
What is your favourite Quadrant and why?
Hmm, that’s hard to answer because it sometimes depends on the routines that we get as instructors. But I’d say in general I like Q3 the best. Even though it’s the hardest quadrant, the moves are the most interesting and fun.
Judy teaching a virtual Strong Nation class.
JUDY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What is your day job?
I moonlight as an accountant when I am not teaching. I am a CPA, CA, and work at a public accountant, specializing in tax.
What are some ways you like to spend your free time?
I love spending my free time baking, watching Chinese/Korean dramas, and reading Webtoons.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
There are so many choices. I would love to travel to China to explore the history there.
What are some words you like to live by?
Good or bad, everything happens for a reason.
Tell us three fun facts about you.
I’m afraid of a good majority of bugs. My friends and co-workers find it funny to scare me (whether with real or fake bugs) - and I can’t blame them. My reactions can be quite priceless.
I love exploring the various escape rooms in the city with my two boys. There’s nothing like bonding with the kids while trying to escape for your life (lol!).
I am obsessed with the cuteness of Grogu (aka Baby Yoda, or the child in the Mandalorian). Tell me he doesn’t melt your heart.
