Hi, I’m Jadine Hocking and I’m sixteen years old. I’m currently at college taking four A- levels but also work part time as a fitness instructor.
Last August I went to train as a Zumba instructor and then started my own classes in September 2011 in local community halls. I then began my Exercise to Music qualification which entailed getting up at six o'clock every Saturday for around four months…not what the average teenager spends their precious time at the weekends doing. However, I seemed to get a buzz out of a hard days work knowing that in the end I would have the qualification under my belt.
I really enjoyed leaning all about anatomy and physiology (a word I still struggle to spell without saying aloud) in my Exercise To Music course. In fact I found it a whole load more interesting than any of my courses I am currently taking at A-level. I also found it so much easier working in an environment with other adults on the course. Everyone there seemed to be focused and wanted to be there, determined to pass, but we still had a laugh!
Sometimes, I think teenagers don’t take into account how annoying it can be when they’re kicking off in the classroom, for the people there who actually want to learn. Now I sound like a right humbug, but I promise you I can be fun to be around, just when it comes to work, I want to get the job done. At the end of the day the sooner you get it done, the more time you have for fun!
I think teenagers need to understand that anything is possible. We only have one life, so why waste it? Aim for those impossible dreams, and when someone knocks you down you should strive harder. Don’t follow the norm and think ‘Well I’m just going to have a nine till five job and settle down’…travel the world, be who you want to be and achieve what you want to achieve!
Finally I have completed the course and as I’m writing this I’m looking forward to this weekend which is the first lie in I have had in four months! I have also gone on to take a spinning course, a killer!!! But great fun! I am now able to teach this, but I’ve got to find some time first in amongst college and everything else, but watch out! I also plan to go on to take some courses in circuits, hip hop, physical activity for children, step, and possibly go into gym instructing/ personal training and nutrition.
When I was young I always used to be very shy. When my Aunty and Mum began teaching Zumba I would often help lead a song along side them. Gradually, I began teaching the odd song by myself, I would love every second of it! But I couldn’t seem to find my voice. I always used to think ‘Why would a group of adults take me seriously?!’
Nevertheless, I went on to start up my own classes and since then I have grown in confidence enormously! I have discovered a voice I never even knew I had! I am so glad my Mum was there to inspire me to go down the fitness route, because I can honestly say I am most happy when I am exercising and having a laugh with other people.
Sometimes it is hard juggling college, coursework and deadlines with preparing for fitness classes, going on all these courses, AND trying to have a social life. But, I can honestly say I’m glad I’ve done it all.
You can’t wait for things to find you, whether its job, happiness or a dream…you have to go out there and grab it yourself.
Travelling and teaching fitness isn’t my only dream. I play the guitar and write my own songs, and hopefully one day I hope to get them out there. All I need is determination and sheer willpower and belief that I am good enough, and if I get turned down, I will keep on sending those CD’s.
I love my life. Sometimes its stressful, sometimes I get a little run down; but at the end of the day I love what I do and do what I love. Hopefully, I will soon be starting a Zumba class for students at my college. I KNOW they will have a right old laugh. I KNOW they will get fitter and have more confidence with their bodies and therefore within themselves. I just HOPE they discover that they don’t have to be sitting at home still searching endlessly for a job in a local cafe or fish and chip shop.
After all, they can create their own opportunities too!
I’m sixteen and have my own business, is that not successful?
Jadine Hocking
Last August I went to train as a Zumba instructor and then started my own classes in September 2011 in local community halls. I then began my Exercise to Music qualification which entailed getting up at six o'clock every Saturday for around four months…not what the average teenager spends their precious time at the weekends doing. However, I seemed to get a buzz out of a hard days work knowing that in the end I would have the qualification under my belt.
I really enjoyed leaning all about anatomy and physiology (a word I still struggle to spell without saying aloud) in my Exercise To Music course. In fact I found it a whole load more interesting than any of my courses I am currently taking at A-level. I also found it so much easier working in an environment with other adults on the course. Everyone there seemed to be focused and wanted to be there, determined to pass, but we still had a laugh!
Sometimes, I think teenagers don’t take into account how annoying it can be when they’re kicking off in the classroom, for the people there who actually want to learn. Now I sound like a right humbug, but I promise you I can be fun to be around, just when it comes to work, I want to get the job done. At the end of the day the sooner you get it done, the more time you have for fun!
I think teenagers need to understand that anything is possible. We only have one life, so why waste it? Aim for those impossible dreams, and when someone knocks you down you should strive harder. Don’t follow the norm and think ‘Well I’m just going to have a nine till five job and settle down’…travel the world, be who you want to be and achieve what you want to achieve!
Finally I have completed the course and as I’m writing this I’m looking forward to this weekend which is the first lie in I have had in four months! I have also gone on to take a spinning course, a killer!!! But great fun! I am now able to teach this, but I’ve got to find some time first in amongst college and everything else, but watch out! I also plan to go on to take some courses in circuits, hip hop, physical activity for children, step, and possibly go into gym instructing/ personal training and nutrition.
When I was young I always used to be very shy. When my Aunty and Mum began teaching Zumba I would often help lead a song along side them. Gradually, I began teaching the odd song by myself, I would love every second of it! But I couldn’t seem to find my voice. I always used to think ‘Why would a group of adults take me seriously?!’
Nevertheless, I went on to start up my own classes and since then I have grown in confidence enormously! I have discovered a voice I never even knew I had! I am so glad my Mum was there to inspire me to go down the fitness route, because I can honestly say I am most happy when I am exercising and having a laugh with other people.
Sometimes it is hard juggling college, coursework and deadlines with preparing for fitness classes, going on all these courses, AND trying to have a social life. But, I can honestly say I’m glad I’ve done it all.
You can’t wait for things to find you, whether its job, happiness or a dream…you have to go out there and grab it yourself.
Travelling and teaching fitness isn’t my only dream. I play the guitar and write my own songs, and hopefully one day I hope to get them out there. All I need is determination and sheer willpower and belief that I am good enough, and if I get turned down, I will keep on sending those CD’s.
I love my life. Sometimes its stressful, sometimes I get a little run down; but at the end of the day I love what I do and do what I love. Hopefully, I will soon be starting a Zumba class for students at my college. I KNOW they will have a right old laugh. I KNOW they will get fitter and have more confidence with their bodies and therefore within themselves. I just HOPE they discover that they don’t have to be sitting at home still searching endlessly for a job in a local cafe or fish and chip shop.
After all, they can create their own opportunities too!
I’m sixteen and have my own business, is that not successful?
Jadine Hocking
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