Nina Lillie: The First Green Bird Instructor

September 28, 2016 Lauren Whitehead

Introducing our first Green Bird Instructor Spotlight series! First up is Nina, the first instructor that I hired once the studio was up and running! I have known Nina for a few years now before she became a fitness instructor. The story goes like this: Green Bird Fitness started inside Premiere Dance Center (just across the street from the current studio location). It was just me and I taught 10 classes a week. Nina and I worked together at another studio and we would always chat between classes. I told her about starting Green Bird and she told me her dream of teaching Pilates. Nina would say, "Let me know when you need to hire instructors!" I would tell her, "I hope I get to the point where I need to hire instructors!"

Then a year went by and Green Bird grew into its very own studio space. It was still just me teaching classes. In February, I put out the very first call for hiring instructors and guess who was the very first applicant?! Nina, of course! And the rest is history.

It's been so exciting to see Nina grow as an instructor over the past 7 months. Nina's bubbly personality and smile is infectious. She charms everyone that comes through the door. She works you hard in Pilates class all with a huge smile and lots of giggles. A few weeks ago I sat down with Nina and we had a fun discussion about living in Laredo and what she loves about fitness.

Lauren: Where are you from?: Nina: Laredo…oh my gosh *laughs* …. Do I have to say it out loud? I was a bartender there for a very long time.
L: What do you for a living?: N: Fitness instructor. My dream fitness format to teach would be some sort of mix-Barre-Yoga, Yoga-Barre, OR Namasdrake!. **Nina proceeds to tell me all about the IG account, Namasdrake: Yoga classes completed dedicated to the music of Drake. Nina loves it.
L: Do you have a personal motto or something to keep you motivated when things get tough?: N: I love the mantra from a yoga teacher Madilyn McCarthy- Don’t stress just do your best. Do what you can. This is what I was telling myself when I first started teaching at Green Bird. At a certain point there is nothing else you can do but give it your all. You can stress in so many ways. I have been meditating a lot and found a new spirituality at the Denver Festival. Meditation really helps me.
L: What's your favorite meal after a long day?: N: After a long stressful day- I want a Michelada and chicken tostadas. My boyfriend threw me a surprise party once and served only chicken tostadas and Micheladas. It was amazing!
L: If you could have a dinner party with any famous people, living or dead, who would they be?: N: It would have to be with someone met at the Denver Yoga Festival, Lorin Roche who wrote "Radiant Sutras". He lives in LA, but travels as a yoga training and meditation teacher. He is one of my gurus. I met him at the VIP meet and greet party at the Denver Yoga Festival and he would ask the trippiest questions. He just sat down in the middle of the dance floor crossed leg and talking to only me at the VIP meet and greet party. We had a thirty minute conversation right there on the floor.
L: What do you like most about Green Bird Fitness?: N: The clients like a 110%. I love the clients. The community aspect of it. The fact that everyone is so humble and grateful to be there.
L: When you’re not at Green Bird or teaching what do you do for fun?: N: Hiking with my three dogs. All. About. It. I love to take them to the greenbelt and hike. I also like Mexican Martinis. ha!