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About
You...
Hi Sheila,
This letter is so long overdue and I only recently got the courage to write and send it to you. It was nice to finally meet you. I don’t know if you remember me, but I had a brief moment to introduce myself at the Open House you recently hosted in Los Angeles. It was such an honor and a delight to speak with you and personally give you thanks for giving me a “piece of my life back.”
First, let me applaud your bravery and courage to create the S Factor movement.
I have to let you know that this movement has been such a healing experience for me. I have read the beautiful testimonies of each woman and it is remarkable how they have been touched, developed, inspired with this movement. And now it’s my turn to share what this movement has done for me.
My experience has challenged me on so many levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. About a year ago, I suffered from two muscular tears on my rotator cuff that stopped me from continuing to S for about nine months. I thought to myself, “I will come back to finish Level 3, which I paid for before my injury and then not come back”. I figured I could not move like some of the ladies in my class because my voluptuous body was not built to fly and perform inverted tricks especially after the trauma to my shoulder. I signed up with the awe-inspiring Mischelle Miller, who convinced me that I was “oh-so-wrong” about not continuing S Factor and that my body and my Erotic Creature had a signature of her own. I would like to say that currently, I have signed up for Level 6 with the sexy Vixen herself Mischelle Miller.
From the latter, you could say that my greatest challenge is my self-image, which stems from long time physical, sexual, and mental abuse. I have been a survivor of sexual abuse when I was a child, with rape and domestic violence to proceed as an adult. I loathed being a “woman” for these reasons. As a teenager, I also battled with other self-image issues like anorexia, bulimia and even gained a lot of weight at one point to hide my curves. My image of me was so distorted. I went through a phase of dressing more masculine to cover up what was bringing me so much grief in my life: Being female. I blossomed at such an early age, so that by the 5th grade I had to wear a full figure bra. I hated the idea of being “girly” because, in my mind, this brought me trouble.
In 2003, my life instantly changed because I became separated from my now
ex-husband. I joined Krav Maga, Israeli hand to hand combat, a Martial Art that empowered me to my very core. I felt powerful, confident and beautiful because I now began to slim down and shed some of the extra layers that hid my rocking curves. I realized that I had a figure and decided I had to dress “my girl up” so I went shopping. The first thing I bought was a pair of sexy, strappy, open-toed, Carlos Santana high heels in red. For the very first time, I felt sexy. I experimented with my hair and wardrobe, and bought skirts, dresses, make-up, accessories, perfumes and even lingerie.
After a year of being “off the market”, I began to date and developed a relationship with my loving boyfriend, who I adore. He is the best thing that ever happened to me next to those sexy-red Santana high heels. He encourages and supports me everyday, not only with his love and sweetness, but he tells me that “I am gorgeous, beautiful and sexy.” I have to say that “S Factor” has been a great part of my healing and the rebirth of the “beautiful woman that I have become.” It has allowed me to not only appreciate my curves, but to feel alive, confident, radiant, playful, sexy, impish, ethereal, strong, vivacious-The use of words are endless.
I have to say “Ahh-I love being Female. I use the three important Bs I’ve learned in my S-factor world “Turn off my Brain, move to the Beat and rock my Body’s curves.”
Sheila, thank you for giving me what was stolen, under-developed,
un-excavated, and unappreciated – a precious part of my life back.
With admiration for your mission and love of the movement,
Veronica Acevedo
If you have a story or sentiment that you like to share with Sheila, please click here.
| About You Archives | |
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It was such a pleasure to meet you, your husband, your brother and so many other interesting people at your open house at the San Francisco S factor studio. To refresh your memory, a little, I am the guy who asked you to describe your political philosophy in a nutshell. That is a little like asking someone to cram a Lil Minx pole in a purse but I think I got a sense of what your political ideals are. I admire you for mixing that into your business. They seem to go together hand in glove but not everyone would try to use a successful business model to promote a progressive political agenda. |
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I am the student who introduced myself at the San Francisco open house and gave you my business card. We spoke briefly about the need to allow flexion/extension/rotation in all planes for spinal health. I very much agree with you and I believe fitness will catch on soon as well. |
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This letter is so long overdue and I only recently got the courage to write and send it to you. It was nice to finally meet you. I don’t know if you remember me, but I had a brief moment to introduce myself at the Open House you recently hosted in Los Angeles. |
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This is April French from Sheila Kelley's S Factor Encino. I am currently taking Level 2 with Dara McGarry and having the best time! Dara is the most wonderful teacher! She is warm, patient and, best of all, funny. |
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I am a 41 year old mother of two incredible teenage boys and currently a Level 3 student. Sundays used to be a day to catch up on sleep. It's now become S Factor day for me and I wake up for it at 7:30 A.M. I drive an hour each way to take class since San Francisco is the closest studio to me. Thank God I have one in driving distance; I am one of the lucky ones. |
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After just two days of your workshop, I feel completely empowered and sexy and seductive. I'm only 24 and have gained 15 pounds in the last two years and, when I looked at your enchanting instructors, I went “Wow, I want abs and legs like theirs!” I'm not heavy by any means, just have some new rolls in places I don't want! |
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Girl, you are an inspiration. It’s awesome to know there are like-minded women out there and there’s a place where we can go to share; the S Factor studio feels like home. |
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I've just recently beat ovarian cancer. Yeah! I am not your typical candidate for this condition. I stand 5'5, weigh 135 lbs, I'm 34 years old and I am in good health. I didn't know that I had a tumor until the pain took me to the doctor for a check up. |
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I can't believe it has taken me to Level 5 to write to you. Since we were so spoiled back in Level 1 by you popping in and out of class to help, I think I've waited to run into you ever since. |
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I took the book with me tonight and used the warm-up to stretch the girls for our class and they loved it. Imagine their surprise when I pulled out the book and said LOOK WHERE I FOUND IT! |
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Sheila, I am no doubt one of the older students in the S Factor NY group but, somehow, I don't feel it!! I am now at Level 4 and one of "Alex's Girls" as we call ourselves. Alex has taken me on quite a journey, along with my classmates, and now I am going to places I have never been (and I am not talking about the R Bar on the Bowery where one can go and swing on a pole, which is just an added bonus). |
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Thank you so much for the S Factor; it has truly been a lifeline to sanity. I am from New Orleans, Louisiana, and my home was flooded with 8 feet of water in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. |
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