Bess Motta began her fitness career long before bottled water was even fathomable. With more than 25 years in the business, Motta has watched the health craze evolve from a trend to what it is currently considered: A viable and necessary way of life.
Although she did not set out to be a trainer of any kind, she has learned that life can sometimes throw you some unanticipated curve balls. “I believe that you should ride in the direction that your horse is running,” Motta said. “If you’re on a particular course and your bliss takes you in a different direction, then it’s the best path to follow.”
Today, Motta is a well-known fitness guru. But she began her career path with theater projects in her early days of high school. It was there she participated in drama competitions throughout Los Angeles, winning two distinguished Drama-logue awards. She won a variety of other contests, which encouraged her to pursue singing and acting. After graduating, she moved to San Francisco and then to London to pursue musical theater. She also saw success by earning parts in a variety of films such as “Terminator,” “You Talkin to Me?,” and “No Witnesses,” among others; in addition, the actress made numerous television appearances.
While in London at age 19, she put on some weight and was unable to continue acquiring the roles she wanted. From that experience, she discovered the world of fitness and the business that came with it. “It’s important to never miss the opportunities that come to you simply because you’re focused on something else,” she said.
The actress turned fitness icon joined a local gym at the young age, which 25 years ago were rather few and far between. She became one of the first certified aerobics instructors in the early 80’s and within a few months of teaching met a producer who took her classes and contracted her to do the famed “20 Minute Workout Video Series.”
Those nationally syndicated shows ran nightly throughout the United States, and ran five times daily in Canada. That exposure led to a variety of endorsements with companies like Kraft foods, Coppertone, Converse Shoes and others. When Evian approached her with the company’s new bottled water product, claiming that someday everyone would be walking around with one in hand, she simply laughed, and turned down the offer.
But regardless, Motta’s fitness training took her all over the country hosting aerobic competitions, which were very popular at that time. As a Fitness trainer, she has taught all types of exercise classes and currently teaches 25 Pilates classes and 5 cycle classes per week.
Her advice for women on the go? “Work out at least three times a week, no matter what.” She is a huge proponent of the Pilates method and believes that women can see results fast with continued training. Since the Pilates reformer is basic posture training she believes that the routines will benefit proper alignment quite effectively. “I always say good posture will make a poor woman look rich and bad posture makes a rich woman look poor,” she said.
Although Motta plans to continue her broad fitness career, she plans to pursue her singing and acting passion and wants to revisit her theatrical roots soon. “I’m always excited about new directions and new opportunities,” she said. “I believe in always moving forward without complacency.”
During her long involvement in the field, Motta has seen a rapid evolution in the world of fitness. “Now it’s rare not to belong to a gym,” she said. “And no one is called a ‘health nut’ anymore; people either choose to live a healthy lifestyle or not.” She acknowledged the clear transformation in the health consumer, and said, “I’m just thrilled that I had the opportunity to get in on it at the beginning.”
This gal has had an impact on countless people over the years. “Just when you think that no one’s watching,” Motta said, “someone will surface and declare ‘you’re the one who kept me going during my divorce, or after the birth of my baby,’ and it’s so rewarding to know that I have helped others meet their fitness goals.”