Fitness Files: Benjamin Allen
Benjamin Allen is a dancer, celebrity choreographer and founder of GROOV3™, “the feel-good, dance-party workout” that Elle Magazine has called, “LA's coolest all-levels dance class”. In college, while earning a B.S. degree in Business and Communications at Arizona State University, he discovered a cardio-dance class designed for all levels, and his passion for dance was ignited.
Ben decided to move to Los Angeles to make his name in show business. With an “I won’t know unless I try” attitude, he sharpened his skills while exploring many different facets of the entertainment industry, from improv to hosting. It wasn’t long before he was appearing in live stage shows and working in film and television. As Ben gained recognition as a dancer and performer, he began choreographing routines for such major players as Will.i.am and Drew Barrymore. Continue reading to learn more about Ben's passion for dance and love of fitness.
NMF: Has fitness always been a major part of your life or was there a catalyst/point in your life when you made it more of a focus and priority?
BA: I grew up like most, playing sports and being active, but nutrition was never a huge component and in my household and the word "fitness" was not an everyday thing. I didn't start dancing until college, and it wasn't until I moved to LA (2002) that I realized the power of a healthy lifestyle. I never thought I was overweight nor that I ate (really) unhealthy, but the more knowledgeable I became about what goes in to your body AND how you can physically change your body based on different workout regimens, the more I took an interest in the word fitness and making an active, healthy lifestyle a priority! Key word here is Knowledge.
NMF: What are a few of your go-to healthy snacks/drinks that help keep you on the straight and narrow?
BA: Snacks: Veggies and Hummus (can't get enough). I always try to keep some kind of nuts around for on the go and I buy in bulk different kinds of nutritional bars. Drinks: Even though its very trendy right now, 3 words make my day, Cold-pressed Juice. I can't get enough of these things and always feel so good after downing a bottle.
NMF: At Nadia Murdock Fit our motto is “Train Your Mind, Change Your Body” so we must ask: How do you train your mind and stay motivated?
BA: Motivation is probably one of the hardest things for people, myself included. However, being creatively engaged and doing what you love helps keep you going day in and day out. For me, getting a hard workout in in the morning really starts my engine for a productive day. Also, adding a little more to your plate (then what you normally do) I believe helps create a sense of pressure (you obviously don't want that to turn in to stress) but when I know I have a few projects going at once, it keeps me from being lazy, sitting on the couch and lacking any motivation to do anything.
NMF: How do you change your body? What are your fitness favorites?
BA: For me the clear answer is dance. There is something so unique about paring music and movement that helps release endorphins, express yourself, and just makes you feel amazing. There are so many types of dance that are designed to engage your body, simply just lift your spirits, and sometimes become a type of Therapy to relieve any kind of daily worry or stress. Aside from dance, I love a good bootcamp whooping. I'm whining and complaining the whole way through, but I feel like a superhero afterwards.
- For more information visit: http://www.groov3.com/
- Groove3 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanceSweatLive
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