2 Years Ago, My Life's Direction Changed

Today, May 24^th, is a bittersweet day.

The former location of The Controlled Burn Fitness Studio
www.ControlledBurnFitness.com

Today marks the day that 2 Years Ago, the direction of my life changed.

May 24th, 2011

Within hours of waking up on the morning of May 24^th, 2011, I went from being a proud business owner and successful health and fitness professional, to making the decision to become a full time student.

On May 24^th, 2011, I woke up at 5:15am, excited that I'd slept in past 4am on my day off. I had planned on spending the day enjoying an early morning hike along the Morro Ridge Trail in Crystal Cove State Park followed by some quality time with my kayak in Newport Bay.

I checked my phone to see what time it was, and noticed I had missed a couple of phone calls and messages. Turns out, these calls and messages were from the Glendale Police Department and Glendale Fire Department, informing me “about an incident at my business…”  (Feel free to read the entire story HERE).

Fast forward a few hours, around noon. Sitting in the remnants of my fire-stinking, charred fitness studio, I had made the decision to go back to college, thanks to Joanne DiVito from Career Transition for Dancers.

In the two years since the fire, I have completed all but one of the required Core Curriculum Classes in the Saint Mary’s College of California LEAP Program, along with writing papers on American Sub Cultures, The Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, and Small Business management; each of which earned 3 Upper Division Units that I didn’t have to pay for!!! J

This past Monday was the first day of my last in-person Core Curriculum Classes, World Traditions. I now only have to complete an internship and senior project in the fall along with a Dance Teaching Methodology Course at Glendale Community College to earn my AA/Dance Teaching Certificate along with my BA from Saint Mary’s!

Whew, cramming 4 years worth of work in 2 years and one more semester has been hard, but very rewarding work.

I couldn’t have done any of this without the emotional and financial support of my amazing husband, the encouragement from Miss Tina Heinz, and the guidance and incredible mentorship of Dora Krannig. I also must thank Mister Lynn McMurrey for planting the seeds over 20 years ago, that dancers are far more capable than we are aware of, of achieving amazing things.

As much as I sometimes wish my beautiful little fitness studio was still standing, and that I was taking care of my amazing clients, I wouldn’t trade this 2 year detour for anything.

Happy 2 Year Anniversary of the Goodbye to The Controlled Burn Fitness Studio.

One more semester and I’ll be back to taking care athletes, dancers, and fitness enthusiasts who want to attain and maintain healthy, balanced, and functional bodies!
J

Wishing Ya’ll a Happy and Healthy Day!

-Melissa Adylia Calasanz

Of
Controlled Burn Fitness

J