Fitness Celebrity Billy Blanks to be Dana Point Turkey Trot's Official Fitness Expert

Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo® Fitness, announced as official fitness expert for the 37th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot

DANA POINT, Calif. – October 7, 2014 – The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has announced that Tae Bo® creator and international fitness sensation Billy Blanks will be the Dana Point Turkey Trot’s Official Fitness Expert for this year’s race, running through the Dana Point Harbor on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27.

“We’re honored to have Billy Blanks, an icon of fitness, to represent our annual Dana Point Turkey Trot,” said Heather Johnston, Executive Director of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. “Billy will work closely with our nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley to promote health and wellness. Having Billy on our team is quite an exciting addition to the race that our runners will love.”

As the Official Fitness Expert, Blanks will offer runners of all skill levels tips and tricks to prepare for the annual races and kick off opening ceremony festivities. In addition to pre-race events, Blanks will kick off the 10K and Kids’ Gobble Wobble runs by providing an energetic warm-up for all participating runners.

“I’m excited to be a part of such a renowned, longstanding Orange County tradition,” Blanks said, “Giving back to the community is a passion of mine, especially as a member of this community, and I’m happy to work with the Dana Point Turkey Trot and the nonprofits supported by the race.”

A CONVERSATION WITH BILLY BLANKS

Billy Blanks is the creator of Tae Bo® Fitness, the revolutionary total body fitness system that has helped millions of people around the world. Blanks recently opened the Billy Blanks Ancient Arts Studio in Dana Point, featuring fitness classes and programs to benefit the mind, body and soul with the goal of helping even more people achieve greatness—both inside and out.

We sat down with Blanks to talk all things health, wellness and Turkey Trot. Here’s what he had to say:

Not only do you live locally but you recently joined the local business community by bringing your internationally known, and practiced, Tae Bo® Fitness program to Dana Point. What does it mean to now reach a larger portion of the community at the annual Turkey Trot to promote health, wellness?

BLANKS: “It means so much to bring my new Billy Blanks Ancient Arts Studio to Dana Point. It’s an honor to help the people of Dana Point and the surrounding communities reach their fitness and wellness goals through Tae Bo® and our other programs to help everyone stay fit, strong and healthy. Being able to reach out to a larger portion of the community at this year’s Turkey Trot is also an honor. It means I can share my message of the importance of a fit and healthy lifestyle.”

In a recent Facebook post, you shared a meme that said, “It never gets easier, you just get stronger.” How does that translate outside of the Tae Bo® program and into other workouts, such as distance running, for those who may want to give up before reaching the finish line?

BLANKS: “That statement truly applies to any form of exercise or in the pursuit of any goal. I think it’s most important to understand what we’re made of deep down inside. It’s not just a challenge of the body; it’s a challenge of the mind and the will. Anyone can exercise easily for the first 20 minutes. After that it’s the ability to dig down to that part of ourselves that allows us to push through to the end. You have to think of it as rising up to complete a challenge and before you know it, you will be crossing that finish line. At the end you will come away knowing you completed something you weren’t sure you could do, which will empower you in all areas of your life.”

Runners of all ages and skill levels come to Dana Point for this annual event, what advice do you have for the youngest of runners racing in the Kids’ Gobble Wobble, many competing in their first-ever running event? What about other members of the family whose running may be in its infancy?

BLANKS: “I think the Gobble Wobble is a great way to promote health and wellness for the youngest members of our community. Just getting out there and participating is half the goal. I will be sure to help them warm up to help keep them from getting hurt. The most important thing is that the kids stay safe and have a great time. For our runners that are a little older but inexperienced, they need to be sure to stretch so that they don’t pull any muscles. They also need to slowly build up their cardio with running or Tae Bo® to improve performance and can start a weight training program to strengthen the body.”

You’ve dedicated your life to fitness and the education of others, how do you prepare for an early morning workout? And what tips do you have for runners as they prepare for their respective races? Any magic foods that can help boost their energy? What about stretches to prevent cramping?

BLANKS: “I have been blessed to dedicate my life to fitness and educating others. Early morning is the best time to work out. You have to think of it as a chance to start off the day in a positive way and to sustain energy throughout the day. Unfortunately, there are no magic foods that can help you prepare for the race. You have to eat the right proportion of proteins and carbohydrates to help sustain energy. Strive to eat foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean proteins. Also, avoid refined foods filled with sugar and chemicals. Eating right will help avoid cramping, but being sure to stretch your calves, quads and hips. You can also stretch your Achilles tendon by standing on the edge of a step and rising up and down with your toes. The most important element to avoid cramps is staying hydrated.”

For more information about the Billy Blanks Ancient Arts Studio, visit BillyBlanksAncientArts.com. To find out additional information about the 37th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot and to register for the Thanksgiving Day races visit TurkeyTrot.com. Track the latest updates by following the event on Twitter at twitter.com/turkeytrot and Facebook at facebook.com/danapointturkeytrot.

About the 37th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot:

Produced by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Run Racing, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is the nation’s sixth largest turkey trot in the country. Named a top Thanksgiving destination by Fodor’s Travel and one of America’s best Thanksgiving Day runs by Fitness Magazine, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has become an Orange County tradition, attracting more than 17,000 participants, including friends and family, in its 5K, 10K, Kids’ Gobble Wobble runs, and two-day health and fitness expo. Featuring scenic routes through the picturesque Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach, the Turkey Trot offers something for every member of the family. Since its conception, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has raised over half a million dollars for local nonprofits. The Dana Point Turkey Trot is a USA Track & Field (USATF) sanctioned and certified event.

For more information, to register for a race, or to become a sponsor, visit TurkeyTrot.com.

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