麻豆精品 S淚 was born for that, 麻豆精品 S� exclaimed Michelle Mulak-Cheatham, 麻豆精品 S�14, after spotting a job for a fitness and water reporter for聽FLORIDA TODAY. 麻豆精品 S淚 knew the moment I was in the building for my interview that it felt like home. I wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 nervous, I was just ready. 麻豆精品 S�
As the newspaper 麻豆精品 S檚 first fitness and water reporter, Mulak-Cheatham is a trailblazer, figuring out things as she goes.
麻豆精品 S淓very day is a new adventure, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 all over the place 麻豆精品 S� surfing one day, mountain biking the next, and then learning how to ballroom dance on the next day. There 麻豆精品 S檚 a lot of variety in my day-to-day life, and it rocks! 麻豆精品 S�
Before landing her dream position with the Space Coast 麻豆精品 S檚 daily news source, Mulak-Cheatham kept busy 麻豆精品 S� first, as a gymnastics teacher, then as head of the kids 麻豆精品 S� fitness program for Health First, then as an adaptive and mainstream physical education and reading enrichment teacher at an elementary school, and, most recently, as the owner and CEO of Ohana, her own surfing, art and leadership program for kids.
麻豆精品 S淐ome to think of it, this is the first time that I 麻豆精品 S檝e worked with grown-ups in about a dozen years! 麻豆精品 S� she says.
And, her newest job is the perfect fit for her active lifestyle. In fact, it was her love of surfing that drew her to Brevard County, where she now lives and regularly hangs 10 with her two sons, ages 13 and 9, and the love of her life, Steve. It was a move she made the day after she graduated from Boone High School in Orlando.
麻豆精品 S淔rom a young age, I have loved to move and challenge myself, 麻豆精品 S� she explains. 麻豆精品 S淚 never, ever, ever stayed still … Being an athlete has always been a no-brainer. It makes me feel strong and powerful and capable. 麻豆精品 S�
SURFIN’ Q&A
Q. Most memorable experience on the job?
A. The first time my picture was on the front page of the Sunday paper and someone recognized me. They told me that they loved my writing and couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 wait to read more of it. That was like high-fiving the whole universe.
Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. A teacher and a writer and a gymnast and an artist and mom and a mermaid
Q. How has your UCF degree helped you in your career?
A. Endlessly. The whole experience of interdisciplinary education is very real-world. It gave me a fair amount of knowledge in several areas, which helps you to feel confident in a variety of situations. The career prep was top-notch. Throughout my time at UCF, I really began to master the art of concise and charismatic communication. That 麻豆精品 S檚 a skill set that transcends any career path. It gave me a mega advantage. Taking classes in person is so important. It teaches you how to socialize as an adult with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. It also gives you a reason to practice speaking up and presenting publicly.
Q. What has been your favorite surfing spot so far?
A. Southern Nicaragua is pretty fantastic. Costa Rica is so beautiful 麻豆精品 S� it will take your breath away. Then again, I love the waves in front of my house. Wherever there are fun waves, that 麻豆精品 S檚 my favorite place at that moment.
Q. How do you channel your artistic inclination?
A. Paint. Draw. Doodle. Write. Dance. Sing. Make jewelry.
Q. Why are you such a music lover?
A. It speaks to me. It wakes me up and quiets me down. It connects me to the moment.
Q. Favorite band/artist?
A. There are too many. Right now, I 麻豆精品 S檓 loving Lake Street Dive, the Foo Fighters, anything with a fun ska sound. The answer to that really depends on my mood.
Q. First concert you ever attended?
A. The Gin Blossoms at Albright College in Pennsylvania. I was maybe 11 or 12.
Q. Do you play an instrument?
A. Piano
Q. Besides surfing/working out, what 麻豆精品 S檚 your favorite thing to do while you travel?
A. Walk around and explore. Hike. Find a beautiful place to lie down and read, or just absorb the new space. Find the best place for a craft beer and a local meal.
Q. What 麻豆精品 S檚 the hardest thing you 麻豆精品 S檝e ever done?
A. Deciding to take a step back from Ohana and move in a new direction
Q. What advice would you give to those who hate exercise but want to get fit?
A. Try new things. You will find something eventually that doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 feel like exercise. For me, that thing is dancing or surfing. Once you find the thing you enjoy, do it as often as you can. If you really hate exercise and won 麻豆精品 S檛 commit to doing it, you will never be fit. End of story. You can diet your way to thin, but you can 麻豆精品 S檛 diet your way to strong.
Q. Any other fitness/health advice you can share?
A. Don 麻豆精品 S檛 take your ability to move for granted. You never know when that ability might be taken away from you.
To read more stories about alumni, visit ucfalumnitoday.com.听
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See a聽聽of Michelle in action at FLORIDATODAY.com.