“Boy, I am two seconds from being on you like white on rice in a glass of milk on a paper plate in a snowstorm.”
Whenever I hear the word, “bootcamp”, I think of the movie character that spoke those words. I’m reminded of the humor, the tough love, the drills, and the camaraderie that was featured in this film. If you’re reminded of a certain film starring a certain Waynes, Bravo! If you know, you know.
While fitness bootcamps draw inspiration from military training camps, they allow more room for creativity. Michael Myers and D’Juan Woods, creators and coaches of the Ultimate Athlete Bootcamp LA (UABLA), wanted to provide a bootcamp like no other and they’ve done just that. Being athletes themselves, they’ve taken the idea of a bootcamp and put a football training spin on it.
Twice a week they meet with a group of fitness enthusiasts who desire to be challenged physically and mentally. The individuals who attend UABLA have nothing but positive things to say about their experience with Coach Myers and Coach Woods. They’ve helped to change lives, inspire, and build a community.
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Michael and D’Juan founded UABLA in 2015. The coaches were hoping to create a link between the athlete and the everyday person. After finding a location and filing the proper paperwork, they were able to execute their vision. Now UABLA is a nationally recognized group fitness program and can be seen and experienced at The FitExpo Tour, a family-friendly event in which fitness enthusiasts come together to experience the latest health and wellness classes, products, competitions, and services.
Both coaches have athletic backgrounds. Michael played running back and kick returner for Colorado State University, from which he graduated in 2008 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Human Science. He is now a certified fitness trainer through the International Sports Science Association and Stott Mat Pilates. D’Juan graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2006 and went on to play for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints.
After overcoming a spinal cord injury that almost left D’Juan paralyzed, he became a certified personal trainer and earned his place as a Nike Master Trainer and The Equinox Prodigy. Both Michael and D’Juan serve an extensive list of private clients and teach group classes at some of Los Angeles’ top fitness facilities.
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Together Michael and D’Juan have created a group experience that challenges its participants to leave their comfort zones, adapt and persevere. Comprised of speed and agility drills and strength training, UABLA requires its participants to think like an athlete. Although participants can expect a highly intense workout, they can also expect to have a great time. In teaching their clients to think like athletes on the field, Michael and D’Juan have subsequently taught them to inspire and motivate one another.
On any given day there may bedrills in which their participants may compete with one another, but at the end of the day, they’re a team and they cheer each other on.
“Transforming peoples’ minds and bodies is why we do what we do. We give people the power to believe in themselves.”
D’Juan and Michael are both known for being strong and inspirational. They’re energy and passion can be felt through their work and they’ve even inspired clients to pursue their passion for fitness, helping to launch six personal training careers since they’ve started UABLA.
You can visit The Ultimate Athlete Bootcamp LA website to find out more about class times and locations. Although it’s based in Los Angeles, Michael and D’Juan hope to see UABLA franchised nationwide within the next few years. In the meantime, you can visit the Instagram pages of Michael and D'Juan for workout ideas and inspiration. The Ultimate Athlete Bootcamp is on a roll and is definitely one to experience if it’s ever in your city!
Jasmine Danielle is a Los Angeles based dancer and fitness trainer. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has studied with FiTour, the National Federation of Personal Trainers, and the Equinox Group Fitness Training Institute. Jasmine is currently a Group Fitness Instructor for Equinox, Everybody Los Angeles, and Sandbox Fitness. Her fitness modalities include ballet, dance cardio, barre fitness, TRX, treadmill interval training, cardio kickboxing, jump rope, indoor cycling, and metabolic conditioning.
