fernanda ROCHA Co-Creator of R.I.P.P.E.D.; Fitness Expert/Instructor

If Fernanda Rocha could name her number one passion it would be teaching and second to that… fitness. That's why it's so easy to understand when she says she's living out her dream, by combining her two passions.

For the last decade and a half, Rocha has dedicated her life to this career, everything from group exercise classes, personal training, to even taking center stage at fitness conventions in the United States and abroad.

It is an endeavor she started back in Brazil, where she even created her own brand of fitness called Jiinga™ shortly after she graduated from college in Kinisiology/Physical Education. When she moved to the United States, she continued to follow her passion; she now owns and runs Art of Fitness & Spa in Laguna Beach, California.

Now add onto the list one more accomplishment, R.I.P.P.E.D. Two days a week, you'll find Fernanda in the studio as one of three instructors for the popular group fitness class at the Renaissance Club Sport in Aliso Viejo. Rocha joined the B3Fit team, creators of R.I.P.P.E.D. in April of 2009, "For me as a trainer and fitness instructor it's important that I can train my clients in different areas," said Rocha. "I can do this with R.I.P.P.E.D. it makes the work-out more efficient. I think for me that's the key point in why I believe in the program"

To Rocha, teaching R.I.P.P.E.D. is like adding another piece to complete the fitness puzzle, "I feel complete because my goal as a fitness instructor is to see that people create good energy through a great work-out," she said. "I like helping them realize they can change their lives when they are moving and exercising."

These are words Fernanda lives by every day. She begins each morning by running "Thousands Steps Beach in Laguna Beach. Fernanda not only lives her fitness goals daily, but she also lives the lifestyle. She makes sure she maintains a healthy diet, her favorite is sushi and when she can, relaxes with a glass of Australian wine. This all translates into the infectious energy felt in all her classes, whether it be R.I.P.P.E.D. or her Brazilian Booty Camp class.

Fernanda's energy doesn't end in the studio. She also has her own unique line of fitness clothing called JiingaBrasil™ and has been an international fitness presenter and commercial model. Along with her 13 years of teach group exercise classes, she is ACE/AFAA certified, Les Mills International Body Pump certified, and even has created her Brazilian dance video Jiinga™. She has sponsored Kids for Kenya, AIDS Ride, Wheels for Life, and Walk for Breast Cancer.

When it comes to blessings, she affirms: "my God is everything", her family tops the list, launching Season 3 of R.I.P.P.E.D., being a finalist amongst 80,000 entries on Big Brother Brasil™, seeing the Rolling Stones in concert live in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, being invited on the Ellen Degeneres show, and performing on stage for MTV™.…Just to name a few.