Rosa Tejada, a versatile and effervescent Latina mami who aspires to take after her precious mama, is “chiquita pero brabita”... small but tough!
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Rosa was 4 years old when she contracted poliomyelitis (polio), a highly infectious viral disease that chiefly affects children and in its acute forms, causes inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain stem leading to paralysis, muscular atrophy and often deformity. Paralyzed from the waist down, she endured almost a year of physical therapy and treatment.

“By the will of God and my mother’s faith, and reluctance to believe that this was permanent, I overcame this horrible disease.” Rosa learned that people who overcame polio have had it resurface in their later years. “My fear that this will happen dissipates in knowing that I have my mother watching out for me each and everyday.”

Born in Nazca, Peru, young Rosa was showered with love by her parents who put her through everything from figure skating to karate. She has also acquired skills and honed her talents in ballet, tap, jazz and gymnastics. “I was just too young to appreciate it or realize that even though we had very little, my parents wanted to make sure their kids didn’t miss out on things. I don’t like to live with regrets. I believe that the sacrifices my parents made for me have made me the person I am today. The dance and karate lessons have surely paid off in my love for combat and dance.”



Rosa’s father immigrated to Canada when she was four years old. A year later, Rosa, her mother and brothers followed. Sadly, her mom passed away when she was 26 years old. “I don’t think that there will ever come a day when I won’t miss my mother.” Moving to Canada, they first settled in a small northern French Canadian town with a population of approximately 10,000 people. “Apart from the language, the brutal winter was also a challenge.”

We had seen snow atop the mountains in Peru, but not like here!!! Brrrrrr. Since I came at a young age, it wasn’t hard for me to learn the language, but my mother had a tough go at it….but she did it. She instilled in me her strength and perseverance from an early age. I never once heard her say ‘I can’t do it.’ God, I miss her.”

During her teens, Rosa got her first job in Canada working at the ticket counter in Sudbury Downs - a well-known racetrack, which slowly enabled her to break free from her shyness. The longest employment Rosa held thus far, is with GoodLife Fitness. She started working at the front desk and later on assisted with sales. She was a very enthusiastic participant and went to fitness classes almost daily. One day, she was encouraged by one of the instructors to audition and the rest, as they say, is history. Rosa is now a certified fitness instructor, which became a bridge for her to land a couple of jobs working abroad and the opportunity to broaden her horizons by visiting other countries and meeting new people. “This was a huge challenge for me as it took me away from my family, my wonderful support system, but I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is able to do it!”

Rosa is an animal lover. She adopted Miguel, a two-year old little dog that had been abused and neglected. “I saved him and he saved me right back! He helped me deal with the loss of my mother by allowing his love to fill my heart. He continues to save me each and every day and is an integral part of my life.”

Currently, she is teaching classes in LesMills BodyCombat and BodyJam, and another unique class trademarked by GoodLife Fitness called NewBody.



To describe each class, Rosa explained:

1. BodyCombat is the empowering cardio workout that totally unleashes your energy. This program is inspired by the martial arts and draws from a wide array of disciplines such as karate, boxing, taekwondo, tai chi and muay thai. Supported by driving music and powerful role-model instructors, you strike, punch, kick and kata your way through the calories to superior cardio fitness! This class allows me to execute power AND grace – I feel FIERCE after each and every class!
   
   
2. BodyJam is the cardio workout that frees you to enjoy the sensation of dance. The addictive fusion of the latest dance styles and hottest new sounds puts the emphasis as much on having fun as breaking a sweat. Funky instructors teach you to move with attitude through this 55-minute class. So grab a friend, get front and centre and get high on the feeling of dance! I love to dance – I’m not the best at it, but I LOVE it… this class lets me express myself through my own style of movement and the RUSH I feel watching people express theirs is inexplicable!
   
   
3. NewBody is an exclusive GoodLife Group EXercise program created by our very own Mo Hagan, 2006 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year. Newbody is a multi-level class that improves your energy, strength and endurance, making your day-to-day activities easier. Burn calories in this fun, low-impact and easy-to-follow class by combining cardio conditioning with optional hand weights. Learn how to properly use your abs and back muscles to improve your posture and reduce back pain.
   
   
   

“I LOVE MY JOB! I work with amazing people who have a passion for fitness.” People who exercise tend to become happy and easy to get along with.

As Rosa’s parting and encouraging words: “Don’t let size fool you, Don’t live a life of regrets and don’t let anyone tell you the sky’s the limit when man has already been to the moon, and never take anything in life for granted.”