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Today I started my ninth year at Temple University Campus Recreation as a Group Exercise Leader, Independent Contractor. I won't make it to ten; partly due to timing and partly due to the changing vibe. But first, let me express my gratitude to Ron Dukes and Erica Jane for routing me to what's been one of the greatest experiences and opportunities of my life.

I tell this story a lot. I like stories of chance encounters that lead somewhere unexpected.

Group Pic from 2013, I'm in the back.. as usual...

My brother Tet hosted a house party in the early part of the century - maybe 2005 or 6. This is where I met Erica. I'd recently become a Certified Personal Trainer and I was working at what I call a Mom & Pop gym in the ritzy Rittenhouse Square section of the city. Our dance devolved into a quasi-aerobic exercise routine and she suggested I get an Aerobics Certification. Because I was coming up on renewing my CPT cert and had to take 8 hours of continuing education credits anyway, I decided to go for it.

In or near May of 2007 Erica put me in touch with Ron who was the group fitness coordinator at Temple University Campus Recreation; he needed someone to teach a 30 minute abs class two days a week. And that's how I got in. Later that year I got Kick Boxing Certified and by the Fall, when the regular semester started, I was "leading" five sessions a week. As the entity that gave me my start, I devoted all my energy to Temple. This is where I cut my teeth, honed my craft, and while I was at it, changed (further improved) my body.

Between 2007 and today I've worked at several Universities in the Philadelphia area, the YMCA where I started teaching classes in 2009 and a commercial gym in Center City.

I've earned a total of eight fitness certifications at this point, including Older Adult Trainer, Water Trainer and Yoga... (beginner). I wonder if I have ten-thousand hours of teaching. Probably not, closer to 7,000 I'd say.

But this will be my last. Several elements have changed; the culture overall, the vibe at the IBC (Temple's Facility), my desire to leave Philly in general and the age difference between me and the kids I'm training. If I tried to narrow down the reasons I'd end up in a thought loop. Suffice to say the signs are telling me it's time to leave. I haven't completely decided yet, but I think I'll take Summer II off. This might cost me Fall I (new semester) which would be my last anyway - but if so, so be it.

I have to say it was fun and educational, and completely unexpected. Once or twice in the navy I got to lead a group of Seabees in morning calisthenics, but I never thought I'd ever be an aerobics instructor for real, in fact I was offended once when someone thought I was. It found me and as many coordinators I've worked for have said, I seem to have the personality for it.

It's too early to say goodbye just yet. Maybe later.