It was a sunny late-summer morning in 2004 when a sign in bold letters caught my eye: “Fitness Instructors Needed.” In that moment, a little voice in my head shouted- “Do It! Do It! Do It!”. There are times in our lives when our intuition speaks so loudly it cannot be denied. This was one of those times.

Movement has always been a cornerstone of my life. From competing on the swim team and soccer field to dancing, hiking, and biking, physical activity became both my outlet and my grounding force. Movement energized me, centered me, and shaped who I am.

Soon after seeing the sign, I earned my Group Fitness Instructor certification and began leading a wide range of classes. Yet I felt drawn to create deeper impact. As a teen, I envisioned myself motivating others to believe wildly in their own potential. To build more meaningful, one-on-one connections, I became a Certified Personal Trainer. I loved the intellectual puzzle of designing personalized programs, building relationships, and coaching clients up!

As my career evolved, so did my purpose. I wanted to help people do more than look and feel better—I wanted to help them restore function and confidence after injury, surgery, or illness. I pursued advanced education and certifications in Corrective Exercise, Injury Prevention, Mid-life Fitness for Women and related specialties.

Recognizing the vital connection between mind and body, I further expanded my expertise with education in Clinical Counseling Hypnotherapy, Holistic Health, and Human Nutrition. This integrative approach helps to identify self-sabotaging behaviors and to rewire them while honoring the whole person.

My 20+ year career in the fitness industry has been deeply rewarding as it is my way of being part of the solution to the health crisis our society faces. I look forward to many more years of being a force for good health, strength and positivity in the world! Never stop moving!

Congratulations to our February Fitness Instructor fo the Month, Robb Willingham!

My father (Robert Willingham) studied martial arts while in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean war. After being discharged from the military, he returned to his home state of Oklahoma where he opened the first martial arts school in the state and became a pioneering influence of the wisdom that the study and practice of these unique and ancient arts offer in the USA.

From age eight until eighteen, I enjoyed the privilege of studying martial arts from my father and as I developed experiences and learned from the many different teachers he brought up to his school in Oklahoma.

This unique and highly personal exposure to the martial arts forged in me a foundation for a lifetime passion and interest in honor, growth, integrity and spiritual enrichment.

I discovered Tai Chi Chuan while I was student at Oklahoma State. My father encouraged my interest in the art, because he wanted my understanding and knowledge to go further than his so that I might benefit from internal focus and energy cultivation of this martial art.  The practice of Tai Chi is beneficial to the coordination of mind/body and spirit.

I had a natural aptitude and interest in this healing martial art.  My teacher, Sifu Ting Kou Chang, invited me to train with him at his Dojo in San Francisco. I accepted his offer and relocated to San Francisco and embarked on a full program of study of Tai Chi Chuan. I achieved teacher status in 1977.

Since then, I have continued to study, practice and teach martial arts in Colorado and Texas.  In 2002, I founded Redhawk Tai Chi Chuan, with my wife and senior student, Michele Willingham.

I started my program at the Carbon Valley Recreation Center teaching Tai Chi to the community in 2002. I enjoy sharing this incredible art with our amazing community.

Robb Willingham