Exploring Life & Business with Alaina Funk of Fab Fit Funk with Alain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaina Funk.

Hi Alaina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up watching my mom (Stacey) dance in our living room, sometimes doing Zumba or having friends over and walking them through routines that she created herself, so I have always loved dance since it was a part of my everyday life. As I got into high school, I always wanted to be a part of the school dance team or the cheerleading squad. Still, unfortunately, my parents could not afford to put me through them since I was in other sports, but I always had friends in cheer or on the dance team, so I would frequently stay after school and help make up routines for games or pep rallies. As I got into my adult years, my mom and I always talked about having our fitness dance studio and discussing our vision, but we never actually did anything about it. I would express my dream to friends and family and ask their opinions on whether they think it would be something people would even be interested in or get their ideas.

After years of talking about this dream we had, one day, one of my best friends (Jordy) called me and told me that the local gym (Ozone) was looking for a dance instructor, so of course, I didn’t hesitate. I messaged the coordinator at the Ozone and told them I was interested in running my dance class there, so she replied, and we set up an interview where we both expressed what we wanted and expected out of the class. After showing them a 30-minute routine I had put together, I landed the job and started having my class on Monday nights. It started as a small class but quickly grew into a much bigger one (almost too big for my room). While advertising on Facebook about one of my Monday classes, my other best friend (Kayla) shared my post on a Springhill page called Chica Chatter, and the post blew up with a woman asking about the class, saying they wanted me to come to SpringHill, etc.

A month passed, and I received a message from the manager of Springhill Recreational Center asking if I would be interested in running my class in Springhill. And, of course, I said yes! The next day, I talked to them, and they said, “This isn’t an interview; we want you to run your class here. We want to know what you want or need to do.” As I have 5 children, the only thing I had to make sure they had was child care, so they hoped on it and started looking for somebody to run a daycare while I ran my class. After 2 weeks, they found somebody and started getting them certified so I could start my class ASAP. Now, I am running a class in Springhill every Thursday night, and if it gets as big as I expect it to, I will expand to more times a week. Eventually, I hope to get my building and run it Monday- Saturday, and I feel I will be there in no time!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Very smooth and very fast. Almost as if it was meant to be. The only challenge I have to face is trying to come up with 2-3 new routines each week to keep my class fresh, and doing that with 5 children 6 years and younger is sometimes difficult.

Thanks – What else should our readers know about Fab Fit Funk with Alain?
My dance class is 50 minutes of the funniest dance routines, including mainly hip hop, but some rock and old-school music mixed in. My main focus is for the class to have fun, get a good sweat, and hit key points on the body to shed fat and gain muscle. We love to mix up our music genres and eras to appeal to everybody; I’m always asking people to put in song requests. My mom and I work Monday-Sunday to make 2-3 new routines to keep it fresh for our class and see how they react to them; never disappoint!

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
I love to stay busy in my garden, with my kids, or with my nose in my Bible. I try to get on my social media to keep up with the times, but I’m not too invested in watching videos or liking posts.

Pricing:

• Springhill class is FREE
• Osawatomie class is $3 per class

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175766515269300

Image Credits
Jordy Goff – our Clique Photography, Kayla Joeckel – Joeckel photography