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Issue
10
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January 2012 |
Shameem Arnold’s
ardent fans in her Moky dance fitness classes are thrilled to hear that
she has been chosen as an official torchbearer when the Olympic Torch
relay
comes
to Whitehaven next Summer. She was nominated by her husband and business
partner Mat for her passion for dance and encouraging others to get
fitter and healthier, but it was personal stories of how Shameem's
infectious energy and enthusiasm for life affected the lives of those
who flocked to her classes and inspired them to get fitter, happier and
healthier, which led to her inspirational journey being recognised
formally. Raising people's spirits is more important to her than their
fitness levels, she had told Egremont 2Day last April. "People may come
in feeling down but I'll smile at them until they smile back." Her
personal battle against ME, which left her unable to walk just 2 years
ago, is a stark contrast to life for her today, teaching Moky dance
fitness classes up to 5 nights a week. Perhaps it was in direct response
to her illness that inspired her mission to "make exercise accessible
for everyone by using simple fun dance routines anyone can follow.” The
classes provide an hour where people can leave their troubles behind.
The classes now take place at over 50 venues in 4 counties. It takes
someone who knows how tough life can be to inspire others. Her story
embodies many aspects of the judging criteria, which include 'a passion
for life and living it to the full', 'those who bring happiness to
others' and 'those who are shaping the future of our nation'. The route
that the torch is taking, through all corners of the UK, is meant to
symbolise the benefits not just to the capital but to the whole of the
country. Seeing it carried across the land will generate new excitement
about, and enthusiasm for, sport everywhere - and inspire more of us to
take it up. This matches Shameem’s ambition to take Moky nationwide and
make as many people as she can fitter and happier in future. If she
does, the people of Egremont and Cleator Moor will not forget that it
started with them.
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