Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Killian.
Hi Morgan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I think my spark for the love of fitness came from growing up with 80’s/90’s aerobics videos. We’re talking Jane Fonda, Denise Austin, and Richard Simmons. But when I really first fell in love I was in seventh grade. We did an aerobics series in my middle school gym class and I thought it was so much fun. My family couldn’t afford to put me in dance classes or cheer, but I found real joy in making a workout fun. I never played any sports and am a self-proclaimed “TV kid”, but I was always doing aerobic videos in high school. I took an aerobics course in college and knew that was exactly where I needed to be. I spoke with some local instructors at the gym I worked out at who pointed me in the right direction to get my own certification to teach group fitness classes.
Since 2004 I have taught boot camp classes, step aerobics, Pilates, boxing, Body Pump, stretch classes, Aerobics and am currently certified in High Fitness and UpBeat Pilates. Out of all of them, High Fitness is my passion.
I first saw it on instagram. At the time I was living in Dallas. I had taken a break from teaching to have my last two children and was trying to get back into Fitness but also suffering from some postpartum issues and feeling like I could never get back in the game. That is until I saw a video clip on Instagram of somebody teaching a class called High Fitness and I knew that’s exactly what I needed in my life. There was nobody in my area who taught the class so I decided to just get certified and bring it to me. Without a dance background, I felt a little inadequate to be there, but as soon as I took the class, all of those anxieties washed away because it was such a positive atmosphere, and I really felt like I could be myself.
After getting certified, I taught at a studio where word-of-mouth caught fire and we went from two or three people in class to about 20 to 25 in a class.
In 2021, when my husband’s business brought our family to the Austin area, I hit the ground running to find a new place to teach. The area instructors scooped me up immediately and made me feel so welcome and a part of the group. I was able to find a place to teach and do what I love at Georgetown Rec Center and have been there ever since!
Teaching High Fitness is not just about the workout. I have been able to make lasting friendships. I’ve met some of my best friends from teaching High. I have also been able to give back to the community hosting charity events like International Women’s Day raising funds for a local women’s shelter, collecting toys for toys for tots, birthday items for the Birthday Project, and raising funds for the Beautifully Loved foundation for Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I didn’t grow up with music lessons, a dance background, sports or cheer. As a kid I mainly watch TV played with friends and went to work helping my dad with its brick line business along with my siblings. So just learning how to count an eight count was a struggle. I remember in college when I was trying to get certified to teach group fitness driving to work at my retail job listening to music counting to eight over and over and over 45 minutes into work and 45 minutes back. When I first took the group fitness exam I failed it. And I cried. But I had to get up and dust myself off and take it again. The second time I passed and I was so excited. I got a job life moved on. I started my family And after my fourth baby, I had some postpartum depression, which gave me a lot of feelings of inadequacy and thinking I would never teach again. I don’t know what got into me, but when I saw a 15 second video clip of High Fitness I knew that is exactly what I needed to be doing and once again I put 1 foot in front of the other, and tried out for something I was ill prepared for. I didn’t pass the exam right away. That was hard. I saw all my peers that I met that day pass the certification and I had to be pending and send in extra videos of me mock teaching. After finally passing, I struggled finding a place to teach, grow my classes and build enough trust for people to want to come try out this new class in town. My class finally grew and grew. I was living on this high of getting to party with friends twice a week and I loved every second of it. It’s what got me excited to jump out of bed in the morning. After about three years, my husband’s business grew, and we found out that we needed to move to Austin. I was devastated at the thought of leaving my class, my friends, and what I worked so hard to grow. When we moved to Georgetown, I was able to get a job at the rec center, but went from having 20 people in a class to two people in my class for a whole year I am so grateful for those two participants who came each week and trusted me to show them a good time but started feeling like maybe this just wasn’t going to hit for Georgetown. Right when I thought of throwing in the towel, my class started having one or two new people each week and then it was a few more people each week until word got out that we really do have a party every Tuesday and Thursday morning and my classes were finally growing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a group fitness instructor. I have taught boot camp classes, step aerobics, Pilates, boxing, Body Pump stretch classes, Aerobics and am currently certified in High Fitness and UpBeat Pilates. Out of all of them, High Fitness is my passion.
It’s like the classic 80’s aerobics but modernized with moves like jumping jacks, squats, lunges, plyometrics, shuffles, barre, core and finishes off with abs and arms. With levels for all ages and stages, High Fitness offers simple, easy to follow moves all set to music you know and love making it a party anyone can be a part of.
But the hype squad is as good as the workout! When you show up you’re instantly surrounded by encouragement, positivity and friends that make you feel like you fit. I believe what sets it apart from other classes is that it’s a safe space. Group fitness can be intimidating. But what sets it apart from other classes is that it’s a safe space. Where ego is left at the door, nobody has a “spot” there are no cliques, It’s a place where you can let loose, be yourself and have fun…all while getting that heart pumping and fall in love with fitness. You come for the workout but you leave feeling High!
I think what I’m most proud of is my participants. You see them walk in to class feeling all different ways, some tired, some a little stressed, some excited to be there, some just barely made it to class but once that music starts I see joy, smiles, enthusiasm and so much effort. It puts the biggest smile on my face seeing everyone giving it their all. That is what I work so hard for.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you’re thinking about coming to a group fitness class (or trying anything new) just do it. It can be scary to try something new, something you’re probably going to be bad at at first, there will be people there all around you that might see you fail. But do it anyway. I failed so many times, I was the worst in the class so many times, and I’ve looked dumb more times than I can count. But I think that’s what grew my character and shaped me into who I am. It helped me be a better instructor and see past people’s exterior. Every person that steps into my classroom I can honestly say I love them dearly. Because I know what it takes to walk through those doors and I will make it my mission to show you a good time.
Pricing:
- Anyone can come, First class is free
- $5/class for Georgetown residents
- $8/ class for Non-Gtown residents
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Highfitness.com
- Instagram: @killer.highfitness
