Celebrating Tuffy McDonald from Cypress, CA
Yoga Trainer & ‘Try New Things Extraordinaire!’
When Passion Meets Purpose
FUJIFILM Fit Trainer, Tuffy McDonald
Maybe the most impactful phrase we will ever say to ourselves or someone else is Tuffy McDonald’s noteworthy motto, “Sure, I’ll give it a try.”
In 2014, after discovering some extra time on his hands and curious about the benefits of yoga, he gave yoga classes at the local YMCA a try. He quickly grew to adopt the practice and began taking 3-4 classes each week to stretch and strengthen his body as well as relax his active mind.
“The hardest part of yoga class is walking in.”
Being someone who loves a new challenge, he decided to go out on a limb one day and volunteer to sub the YMCA classes when, on a few occasions, the subbing instructor didn’t show up.
“I thought, ‘how hard could it really be?’”
It wasn’t long after this occasion when he was approached about the idea of bringing yoga classes onsite at FUJIFILM USA in Cypress, CA. With his faithful and optimistic outlook he responded to this manager with, “Sure, I’ll give it a try!” What he didn’t realize at the time was that she was not asking if he wanted to be a participant but if he was willing to teach!
Another door was opened and Tuffy walked through.
In 2015, he began teaching yoga onsite at FUJIFILM and helped usher in FUJIFILM Fit teaching both yoga and bodyfit several times a week in Cypress. He recalls that it was the act of being ‘called up’ to teach that sparked a sense of curiousity and enthusiasm in him.
After a year of onsite teaching under his belt, Tuffy’s passion for trying new things led him to sign up for a 200 hour yoga teacher training at a local studio. Upon completion, he began subbing there and eventually started co-teaching classes such as Yoga for Dudes, Yoga for Beginners and Yoga in the Park (during the pandemic).
What he loves about teaching and practicing yoga is the stress relief it offers beyond the physical benefits. It can clear and relax the mind. He says the biggest compliment he can get after a yoga class from a student is, “that’s just what I needed.” With those few words, he knows he did his job.
“I like to be a guide and give suggestions, not commands. It’s more about the experience of practicing yoga than getting any certain pose right.”
Tuffy’s focus now is on building and being in community with others while helping students find more depth in their yoga practices beyond a good stretch. He appreciates the mind and body wellbeing that yoga provides him, and like many of you, has been pairing his movement practices with health coaching provided by Virgin Pulse for over five years now.
So what’s it time to say, “Sure, I’ll give it a try” to in your own life??
Thank you, Tuffy, for demonstrating courage to try new things and reminding us that there’s great power in stretching beyond our perceived limitations to help others. You’ve been a cornerstone trainer for FUJIFILM Fit and we are so grateful for all the energy and care you bring to each and every class you teach!
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Shine on FUJIFILM FIT Nation!
Your Suitcase of Courage Team
