OK! Magazine – How Judi Sheppard Missett and Daughter Shanna Nelson Broke Barriers for Women by Creating Their ‘Iconic’ Jazzercise Platform

When people think of Jazzercise, Jane Fonda and the ’80s immediately pop up — however, the program, founded by Judi Sheppard Missett, a professionally trained dancer, is so much more than that.

“Our mission is to help women find lifelong fitness. It’s to spread health and happiness through dance. Jazzercise is the iconic dance fitness program that revolutionized the fitness industry by proving that movement could be fun. When my mother, Judi Sheppard Missett, founded Jazzercise in 1969, there was no such thing as ‘group fitness.’ Women weren’t allowed to open a credit card in their own name, and there was really no fitness industry, much less anything intended for women. Through the creation of Jazzercise, my mom broke barriers for women, fitness and entrepreneurship and built a movement that continues to empower people today. Our brand identity is rooted in the power of collective movement, dance and joy,” Shanna Missett Nelson, Jazzercise CEO and Chief Choreographer, exclusively tells OK!. “Our program combines high-energy dance cardio with strength training, Pilates, hip-hop, yoga and kickboxing, making it the most fun and effective way to stay fit. We like to call ourselves the original dance party workout. We’ve been changing lives for the better for 56 years and plan to keep doing it for many more!”

Nelson and Missett — who are pioneers of the dance fitness movement — along with their amazing team want to “inspire women to discover a workout program that makes them feel so good — physically, mentally, and emotionally — that they want to stick with it for life,” Nelson says. “We believe fitness should be an uplifting and empowering experience, one that is not only effective but also fun. We want to create a space where women of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels feel confident, supported and motivated to be their best selves. Through our high-energy, dance-based workouts, we’re not just changing bodies — we’re changing lives. Our mission is to help women build lasting connections with their health and wellness and to make fitness something they love, not just something they do.”

Read the full OK! Magazine article here.