Sad Panda

Today is the final day of filmings for this quarter, where the release RPM 55, BODYSTEP 88 and BODYJAM 61 is being filmed.

Though for most of the Les Mills community, all eyes are going to be on the BODYCOMBAT 52 filming. It will be an emotional day for all of the Combatters who are going to be attending, and if you are going, I urge you to spend the time experiencing the masterclass the way that Hernan himself would have done so - with passion, excitement, and laughter.

For those of you who haven't heard the official story about how he died, check out this article.

I was initially intending to go, though several instructors have been affected by his death to the point where they are too much of a wreck to teach their classes, so I am going to be covering RPM at the time that the BODYCOMBAT 52 filming is taking place. My dear friend Glen Stollery has said he will be wearing a black armband today in commemoration of Hernan, and well... initially I said I was going to do the same.

I'm actually not. Well... that's not true, I am, I'll still wear the armband, but I'm also going to do something that resonates with me a bit better.

This image, for me, perfectly encapsulate the happy, hysterical being that Hernan is known for.

So seeing as I'm missing out on the BODYCOMBAT 52 filming, I'm going to see if I can go out and buy a small soft toy panda and perch him up on my handlebars during the RPM 55 filming (if they let me) and the other RPM classes I'm covering. If I were a Combat instructor I'd probably put the panda on the stage.

This really isn't an attempt to try and 'out-do' anyone at the filming, hardly. This is more because the panda will hopefully help me and others to remind ourselves that we need to spend our time remembering him feeling like this.

Otherwise, we'll instead feel like this.

I know which panda would be a better tribute.