Jazzercise News Releases

Judi Sheppard Missett Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award From The President's Council On Physical Fitness And Sports

CARLSBAD, CA (August 10, 2007) —Jazzercise founder & President/CEO Judi Sheppard Missett is among the inaugural recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS).  Missett was presented with her award by PCPFS Executive Director Melissa Johnson on August 5 in Chicago prior to a Jazzercise workout.  Nearly 1,000 fitness enthusiasts were in attendance.

The President’s Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, or sports nationwide.  Winners are chosen by the members of the PCPFS based on the span and scope of an individual’s career, the estimated number of lives the individual has touched through his or her work, the legacy of the individual’s work, and additional awards or honors received over the course of his or her career.  Additional recipients include Aerobics founder Dr. Ken Cooper, TV fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne, bodybuilding popularizer Joe Weider, conditioning advocate and researcher Bonnie Prudden, and philanthropist Bud Seretean.

“The President’s Council is very proud to honor these six distinguished individuals,” Council Chairman John Burke said. “Our Lifetime Achievement Award winners are luminaries in their respective fields, passionately serving as role models by demonstrating, through their work, the important role physical activity can play in leading a long, healthy life.”

Judi Sheppard Missett founded Jazzercise in 1969. Today, as president and CEO of the  world’s leading dance-fitness program, Judi oversees 150 staff members and 6,800 franchisees worldwide, leading the company to its most successful year ever in 2005/2006, with system wide sales topping $76 million.  Additionally, Judi teaches Jazzercise classes, choreographs routines and travels extensively as a guest speaker.  She also spearheads activities to give back to the community and has collaboratively raised more than $26 million for various charities. Her passion for bringing the joy of fitness to people has led to great success and numerous honors, including induction into the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame, Women Presidents’ Organization “Mary Lehman MacLachlan Award” for Economic Empowerment, Club Industry Fitness Business Pro’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” San Diego Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business Award,” IDEA Health & Fitness Association’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and induction into the National Association of Sport and Physical Education Hall of Fame.

“I am excited to be recognized by the President’s Council with this very special award,” said Missett.  “It is an honor to be part of the distinguished list of inaugural recipients that have been so integral in shaping the foundation of the fitness industry and positively affecting the lives of millions of people around the globe.”

About Jazzercise

Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969.  She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing her program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 6,800 instructors in more than 30 countries. The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall "feel good" factor.   For more information, go to jazzercise.com or call (800) FIT-IS-IT.