A Candid Interview with Deanna McBrearty
A Candid Interview with Deanna McBrearty
Dancer: What prompted your decision to leave the New York City Ballet for this new career?
McBrearty: I initially left NYCB to freelance. I wanted the freedom and opportunity to perform roles that I hadn’t performed with the Company. I performed in Detroit, Texas, California, Japan and Oklahoma among other places, eventually focusing more on choreography, writing and personal training.
Deanna McBrearty developed Belocity, a unique approach to fitness
What did the personal training and certification involve?
I received my certification through the National Federation of Professional Trainers immediately upon leaving NYCB. I was already teaching the NYCB Workout (having been a featured dancer in both DVD’s) in Philadelphia and San Francisco while traveling. I soon developed my own personal workout that was ballet -inspired but even more fitness based. I enjoyed being a fitness instructor because it allowed me to keep all the facets of dance in my life that I missed after leaving the stage - setting a goal every day, achieving it, feeling the energy in the body that is fueled in return from expending energy, the adrenaline rush from cardio, the feeling of performance, and the sense of building a community of friends through my work.
I received the training in Philadelphia. It was a matter of studying a lot of material, practicing on others, and taking a four hour exam that felt like I was in med school consisting of the science, physiology and application of exercise, injury treatment, and anatomy. I was certified within three months and continue my education through biannual tests and class work.
What have you learned from your job as a personal trainer that was a surprise to you?
I realized something I took for granted, that not everyone has exercise in her life. Being physical with my body for ballet has been my life. I couldn’t imagine myself giving that up just because I left the stage. Once you have exercise in your life you can easily feel the difference when you don’t work out. The energy level and tone just aren’t there. I am thrilled when I inspire people to introduce fitness into their daily routines and even more thrilled when I see their mind and body begin to coordinate with each other.
Did your ballet training help make this career move easy?
This just seemed like a natural progression to me after leaving my 12 year ballet career. Ballet gave me a sense of physical being, performance gave me a sense of spiritual being, and my personal training helped me make the transition into a small business owner of my very own solo project - “Balocity™” – with its own workout DVD. It’s an amazing thing to bring together body, mind and spirit!
Why did you choose personal training over another career such as teaching dance or choreography?
I actually do a lot of freelance work in writing, teaching, and choreography and have chosen to put my focus on fitness in order to blend all of my interests together and be an advocate for women’s health and empowerment. My hope is that will be a success in the sense that the workout and my inside story (bonus feature) will inspire women to dance their way to a healthier lifestyle.
What is a key to your “Balocity™”approach ?
Remaining physical is key to a healthy lifestyle so I make sure to work out at least one hour a day. I also workout with every one of my clients, constantly demonstrating and working next to them. Since I no longer guest perform as a ballet dancer, I don’t take ballet class. “Balocity™” is my daily work out.
The workout targets the same muscle groups that ballet does without putting the body in extreme ballet positions. “Balocity™” will stretch, sculpt and tone to give you a dancer’s body without needing to know ballet terminology and best of all without the pointe shoes! “Balocity™” gives me more of a cardio workout than a ballet class would. It is about even in terms of stamina as was needed for a performance.
If I add any other workout onto my day aside from a class, I use the exercise ball for sit-ups and back strengthening exercises, free weights for arms, and Pilates-(add dash)style mat work.
Would you encourage other dancers to consider a career in personal training, and why?
I recommend to any dancer making a career transition – always follow your instincts and take the path that excites you.
What are some of the most enjoyable and demanding aspects of your work?
I enjoy making fitness fun for people and helping change lives to be on a gracefully healthy road.
The most demanding aspect has been starting a business from soup to nuts. I have a lot in mind for Balocity LLC. It’s success up to the readers. Go to www.balocity.com to learn more.