Here's my passion, and my idea of what a really good fitness professional, coach, and motivator does: She changes people's lives, not just their bodies.
With that in mind, I helped develop and launch Spinning, the fabulously successful indoor cycling program. Later, knowing that I could help more people in the world get fit - super fit - by walking effectively, than by any other exercise, I created the WALKVEST® Training System. Using a weighted walking vest helps people lose weight quickly, tone and sculpt muscles, and build bone density. My program includes a motivational coaching CD that provides personal training every step of the way!
Here's how I got started in the world of professional athletics and ultimately, health and fitness: Always up for a challenge, I decided on a dare to attempt to set a cross country cycling world record, also known as a transcontinental tandem bicycle crossing. My riding partner and I secured a major sponsor, assembled a 12-person support team (including a gigantic motor home and a film crew that followed us), and trained hard for a year and a half. On May 30, 1986, we headed out from Huntington Beach, California, to Atlantic City, New Jersey. We made the crossing in a mere 12 days, setting the world record. Our point-to-point women's tandem cycling world record remains unchallenged and is still recognized by the Ultra Marathoners Association.
I consider myself a "distance athlete," preferring to run a marathon over a 10k, distance over sprints. I've run the New York and Los Angeles marathons, with a personal best of 3 hours and 18 minutes to complete the 26.2-mile course. This distance theme has played out well in my life and in my professional fitness career since "training for life" is really what we are all doing. And life certainly is the longest, most important event that any of us will ever participate in.
I also have a book called "Training for Life," published by Springboard Press in April 2007. "Training for Life" explores the pitfalls of diets, the level of denial that we live in, the lies that we are fed by big business, and some good news: "You are in charge of you! And you can change your life, not just your body, for good!" The 14-day training program shows you how to condition your mind (thoughts, attitude, self-esteem) at the same time you are changing (toning, losing weight, strengthening) your body. In my book, I suggest that readers wear a WALKVEST while training to burn more fat and calories, build bone density, and strengthen and tone the body faster, but all of my workouts and suggestions can be done without one.
I've coached and trained a broad variety of students all over the world, including celebrities such as Marcia Cross, Lisa Rinna, Rachel Hunter, Rod Stewart, Michael Chiklis, Joely Fisher, Vanna White, Kristin Davis, David Duchovny, Judith Light, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Valerie Bertinelli, Alyssa Milano, Carrie Otis, Ellen Barkin, and Julianne Phillips. But no one is more important, or more deserving, than you!
Peace and happy trails,
Debbie Rocker
