R.I.P, Hernan

By now most of you would have heard the news which has stunned the Les Mills community - the news of Hernan Lopez's passing.

I didn't actually know Hernan, not even well, at all. I wasn't a regular in his classes, and I don't think I've ever had a proper conversation with him.

I don't teach Combat, so I haven't experienced his presenting on the DVDs, apart from the couple of filmings I went to where he was on the presenting crew (BC40, BC43, BC46).

If he knew anything about me, it was that I made this photo of him.

This was immediately after the BC40 filming (the one where he blurted out I AM KUNGFU PANDA in the middle of I Know Kung Fu)

My lack of knowing him didn't meant that I wasn't stunned on hearing the news. I know that he was loved and adored by many the world over, and an inspiration.

What I will know him for his teaching what would be the most hilarious classes that I've ever experienced. One time I was in his class and my pants were starting to slide down, so I stopped the chorey to pull them up. Hernan spotted this and yelled out to me "NO! LEAVE your pants!! Let them fall down!!!" I don't think I've ever encountered another instructor which has encouraged me to let my pants fall down in class.

Even though I don't think I've ever spoken to him, every time we crossed paths, I would get that trademark smile which just had that way of lifting up your spirits. I know that smile will be etched in peoples memories and hearts forever.

While we are all left reeling from he loss of an incredible personality within the Les Mills community, what we are feeling is probably but a fragment of how his family and friends are feeling right now.

If there's anything that can be taken from this, it's to spend your lives doing what you love with the people you love. Take every chance to tell the people that you care about that you do care, and cherish every moment.

We are all human. And it can all be taken away from us in a heartbeat.

A second wasted is a second too many.