In my opinion, teachers don’t get enough credit.

Our children’s character, beliefs, outlook on life, and opportunities in life are – literally – shaped by the teachers they have.

Teachers see our kids as much or more than we do between 4 and 18 years old! Their formative years.

I don’t know about you, but I want the people teaching my kids to be happy, healthy and have a positive outlook on life.

So how do you deal with such a high pressure, high stress (undervalued) job and keep a positive outlook on life?

First you need to recognise the need to look after yourself. You cannot continue to be a positive role model if you don’t have the health, vitality and mental clarity that it requires.

Then you need to find a community of positive, health focussed people who will help keep you focussed and on track to reach your goals.

Then you need to put in the effort!

Effort is one thing that our September Shaker of the Month has given plenty of. Regan Gant has put in 100% from day one and now his 100% is about 300% of what he was capable of 6 months ago!!

I can tell by the way Regan relates to other Shakers, and from the respect he has gained from the parents who have kids at his school that he is very good at his job. Currently as Principal, I can only imagine the stress that he deals with daily. To see his positive attitude and self-determination shine through during every session is awesome to watch, and the positive effect that training has on his work and family life is a well-deserved reward for the effort he continually puts in.

Congratulations Regan! You have stepped up to the plate, and your results speak for themselves. Keep up the good work buddy.

Besides the obvious accolades of this prestigious award, Regan also gets his hands on a FREE BREAKFAST AND COFFEE FOR TWO from our friends at the amazing Euphoria Espresso Café, Robina. As well as a FREE 30 MINUTE MASSAGE from the extremely skilful team at No More Niggles, Robina.

To hear a little more about Regan, check out the interview below.

Regan Gant – Shaker of Ther Month

Tell us a little bit about yourself Regan

I’m a husband and father of 2. I’m a teacher –  principal at the moment. Enjoying what I do.

You’ve been a part of The Shake UP Community for about 6 months now, what was it that brought you here?

I was carrying few extra kilos, I’m getting older, you know just wanting to be in better shape. I was not as active as I would have liked to have been. I was trying to do things by myself. Then I saw the results that a friend was getting from coming to The Shake UP, and the notion of training in a group was great motivation .

Can you tell me one achievement that you are proud of since joining The Shake UP?

Simply, at the start of a workout, you hear what the workout is going to be, and it’s overcoming the thoughts of “there’s no way I’m going to be able to do this” but now I’m actually doing it. Getting to the end of the workout, having completed the entire workout, maintaining my numbers so that’s good.

To make those changes, you have to push yourself pretty hard during the workouts, what is it that gets you through a workout?

Not wanting to let myself down. You know, you do it for other reasons, like family, but ultimately you’ve got to do it for yourself. In my head it’s – if I stop, it’s ‘ME’ that’s stopped. If I do 1 extra push-up, or 2 extra burpees, that’s on me and that’s my achievement. I think that’s what has to motivate me. It’s mind over matter and convincing yourself that you’ve got one more in you. Even if it’s a half rep, it’s half more than you thought you could do.

So what is it that you like about The Shake UP? What keeps you coming back?

The people. And the workouts. The workouts are very, very different. I’ve done things that I’d never ever done before. Meeting really friendly people. Absolute strangers who will come up and give you a high-five at the end of a workout. You don’t know them at all, but you’ve developed that friendship and respect and a relationship built on hard work and knowing everybody is going through the same thing that you are, so it’s good.

Can you tell us how the Shake UP has impacted your every day life?

My clothes are looser, more energy, able to go for longer when I’m doing things. Your body shape changes – there’s muscles where you didn’t have muscles before. I just generally feel really good and even mentally, you know, work can be tough, you deal with some tough things, but the mental toughness that I’m working on here at training helps me in my work life and my family life as well, so all over. It’s good.