meeting someone new who has knocked me off my feet. Well, really, let's be honest. Knocked me on my ass.
Katie had been talking about her for months. Gals in my network had been checking into her Happy Hour sessions nightly. I had repeatedly seen her gentle public call-outs of "getting shit done and driving hard to win." What the hell was this fuss all about?
This gal is not much taller than me. She has this raspy, yet aggressive voice that you could hear a mile away. And, runs a successful small business, Happy Hour by Marisa (her homies call it HHbM - http://happyhourbymarisa.com/default.htm) - a boutique work-out facility, where she teaches every GD class, everyday. Every one of them.
The club is much more than a club. It is a cult of candle lit, booty shaking positivity. She lives and dies by one rule - if you judge others you will be asked to get the hell out. (try to judge behind her back, and not only get the hell out - but run. fast) By far the warmest industrial place on the planet, the environment is riddled with daily inspirations (both G and R rated) and a vibe you just cannot mistake. Marisa Mancke, you are the s&it. An inspiration to those that know her, if you don't, you should. She will make you laugh, perhaps even make you cry (from the pain) but, I can tell you this - I will drive 35+ miles any day of the week to get drill sergeant' by her. Oh, one additional note - no, she does not provide shots of jaeger with her workouts as her name may suggest. She does, however, serve up humor, competition and profanity (nothing too sketch) on a platter at each of her workouts....unless, of course, you attend cardio striptease. Perhaps my next post will be about the Hello Kitty!
