Life and Work with McCall Tycksen

Today we’d like to introduce you to McCall Tycksen.

McCall, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Raised as a competitive and professional dancer, movement and music has always fueled me! But three kids in just over three years put me into survival mode and I felt lost. It was around that time that I went with a friend to try this “new” workout called HIGH fitness. Little did I know, going to that first class would CHANGE MY LIFE! Taught by the founders themselves, my soul had found its zen… the most intense and crazy fun class I had ever stepped foot in. The energy was unlike any other and it just felt right… more inclusive, less intimidating, and all to the best music. Nothing else mattered. In that room, we were one, and I knew right then I had to certify.

HIGH fitness was brand new in Arizona and it was more difficult than I had anticipated getting the ball rolling. So many of my first classes had just a few people show up. At times, I felt extremely discouraged wondering if I should keep moving forward, but I knew one thing- every time I was teaching HIGH fitness, my heart lit on fire and I finally felt like ME again. This was one place where I knew nothing else mattered for at least one hour. I could be crazy, silly, and weird, all while pushing myself out of my comfort zone physically, and it felt so good!! So, I didn’t give up. I pushed through the hard times and worked my tail off to build my classes. After about six months, things started to pick up. It’s true what they say… consistency is key. Consistently showing up and leaving my best energy on the floor were key to getting from point A to point B. A few people grew to 10, then 15 and beyond. I am so grateful for each person who brings their A-game and shows up time after time. THEY have become the reason my “job” is so incredibly fulfilling. HIGH fitness is so much more than a workout. It’s a lifestyle and community where we take you as you are and send you off feeling better than you felt before! It’s about connecting with each other, building confidence, feeling successful, and becoming the best version of YOU! I love seeing the joy this workout brings and the positive transformations from the inside out.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a newer fitness format, I was part of the crew paving the way (in Arizona) to get this format on gym schedules and convincing people to take a chance and try a new class they had never heard of. My class did not grow overnight and there were so many times I wanted to give up. I truly learned so much during that period of struggle, which I have now tried to channel into helping others who might be experiencing similar feelings as they get started on their journey as an instructor. As a HIGH fitness GURU, I have the opportunity to train and mentor instructors. It’s my goal to reach those instructors who feel overwhelmed or discouraged and share my heart to empower them and help them achieve their goals!

Any advice for other women just starting their own journey?
Remember that getting started is the hardest part!! If whatever you’re pursuing seems to be slow-moving, but it fuels your soul and makes you feel alive, do not even think about stopping. You are meant for it!! With this day and age of social media, it’s super easy to get discouraged when we compare our “success” to others’. At the end of the day, the most important part of any job is the people you impact… the lives you touch and the people you help! Don’t give up. Keep going. Your superpower is that no one else is YOU. Continually remind yourself that no one else can do WHAT you do the WAY you do it and that’s what makes YOU unstoppable!! Find your strengths, use them, and always, always be kind!

Please tell us about HIGH Fitness.
“In HIGH fitness, we have solved the toughest problem in fitness, which is getting people to love it! HIGH Fitness is an emerging leader in group fitness, inspiring people from all walks of life to a lifestyle of better health and overall wellness. HIGH transforms old school aerobics into a highly addictive new fitness experience that combines simple, modern fitness techniques (i.e. HIIT, plyometrics, etc.) with music you know and love. This results in high energy, INTENSE and crazy fun workout that leaves participants feeling HIGH and wanting more. Our formula alternates between cardio peaks and toning tracks that will take your heart rate to the sky and strength to the next level. Beyond the workout, the HIGH fitness culture embodies a lifestyle of empowering people to maximize their health and be the best version of themselves.” (Description from www.highfitness.com)

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well-positioned for?
Yes!! Anyone can teach this format! There are no prerequisites required. You can certify in a virtual training or attend a live 1-day training to get certified to teach HIGH fitness anywhere in North America. A HIGH fitness training is actually happening in Phoenix this October. Go to www.highfitness.com and click “find a training” to learn more or feel free to email me with any questions (mccall@highfitness.com).

Pricing:

• Monday 8PM @Freestone Rec Center. First time free. $7 drop-in
• EOS Fitness (Higley) Wednesday 6:30 pm and Saturday 10:30 am. Gym rates.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fitnessmccall

Image Credit:
Instagram: @cherisesblushbrush, @_beckykimball, @tfaith.photo

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