Meet Shellie Cimarosti of Shell Shock Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shellie Cimarosti

Shellie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello- I am Shellie Blanks Cimarosti, World Fighting Champion and daughter of Tae Bo® fitness (late 1990’s fitness revolution) creator, Billy Blanks. I have launched my new brand, “Shell Shock® Fitness” in 2018. I bring a new style of HIIT with kickboxing, strength training, standing bags and suspension training to provide complete fitness and real results.

From my humble beginnings where I was brought up in the projects of Erie, Pennsylvania, to my current residence just south of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee, I am living my own version of a storybook fantasy. While living in Los Angeles, I have trained the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Robert Downey, Jr., Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Goldie Hawn, Jenny McCarthy, Bette Midler, Paula Abdul, Carmen Electra, Slash of Guns n’ Roses and Sinbad — just to name a few.
I have starred as the original Yellow Power Ranger for fighting and stunt scenes. I have modeled in a number of fitness magazines, starred in commercial campaigns and appeared on many TV spots such as “Oprah,” “Montell Williams” and “The Parkers.” I am also featured in all of the Tae Bo videos, and putting in plenty of time working toward my mastery of martial arts.

My training began at the young age of 2 years old and at just 14, I won the Jiu Jitsu World Championships and a gold medal at the Junior Olympics for Full Contact Sparring. Currently, I have attained a sixth-degree black belt Master in the martial art discipline of Tae kwon Do.

Helping people make a change for the better and find it within themselves to love themselves in a fun and healthy way is my goal. Sharing my love for people, fitness and fun keeps me going everyday, along with my husband, two teenage boys and of course, my Lord Jesus! I want to empower people of all ages, walks of life and fitness levels to take care of themselves, to love themselves, and to life a full life everyday.
I have the best TEAM on the planet. We love to workout hard, take care of one another, and laugh! We also have an online service, where people all over the world stream our live classes with us. They are the might “Home TEAM”.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road by any means. When God plants something in your heart, it takes faith to make it work. Along with faith, it takes hard work. They go hand in hand. The fitness industry is extremely competitive and small business studios are all around. To make yourself and your studio stand out takes a lot of love and sacrifice.
In order to get our doors open in the beginning, we used credit cards and savings in order to get our business started. We were standing on faith for it to work.
A few years after opening, my husband suffered a mental health crisis and it effected our business greatly. He opened the business with me and has since had to completely turn it over to me due to his mental health diagnosis. Therefore, I am teaching, as well as taking care of all day to day activities and business decisions. Along with the business side of it, I have two teenage boys to take care of and I stand beside my husband daily as he battles his mental health. Some days are more challenging than others, however, helping others brings me joy and keeps me focused. God has placed people in my life and I count it a blessing to serve Him by serving His people through fitness.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I own and run a fitness studio that specializes in group fitness classes. If you have ever heard of, or done Tae Bo Fitness, my foundation is built on that (think of cardio kickboxing) with an evolution of HIIT training. It is called, “Shock”. This class is our most popular and is between 45-60 minutes of punching, kicking, dancing, and cardio moves all done to some pretty amazing music! We also have a free standing kickboxing class (Shock Box), where you actually put on gloves and make contact. It’s such a great stress reliever and so much fun! Another class we offer is a circuit training class (Shock Stations), in which we incorporate various cardio, strength, kickboxing, suspension training, boot camp and HIIT moves all in a circuit training style. Lastly, we have a strength class (S3-Shell Shock Strength), which strictly focuses on sculpting, toning and getting stronger. All of our classes help you to burn calories, lose inches and Gah!- we have a blast!!!
Brand wise, I’d have to say that I am most proud of the fact that I “live” the brand. I have trained my whole life in what I do and I really KNOW it from the inside out. I just didn’t learn it a few months or a couple years ago, it has been my life. It’s in my heart and I believe that comes through when teaching others.

What sets my studio apart from others is two things. First, my experience and my love for what I do. Secondly, it’s our TEAM! The atmosphere is one of acceptance, fun, hard work (because working out and sticking with it is HARD), lifting one another up, and straight up LOVE! We all enjoy being together every day. We are like family and you feel it when you are in the room on at home working out with us via stream.
I’d love for everyone to know that you can try us for a month unlimited for a great price! We know you will love it. Just take the first step-walk in the door! Check out our website shellshock.fitness for current specials and pricing.
We welcome you to the “purple carpet”.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have to give all credit to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be able to do anything without strength from Him. Secondly, I have to give a HUGE shoutout to my husband, Mark, my best friend and biggest fan. Next, our two boys, Rocco and Titus, they keep me on my toes and make me laugh everyday. My family is my everything and support me in everything I do. Sometimes owning your own business keeps you super busy, with long days. They give me inspiration to keep going day after day. Also, my mom, who shows me how to love and help others selflessly. My dad, who taught me Martial Arts from the beginning.
Finally, my whole TEAM, on the purple carpet and at home on screen. Seeing them pushing themselves through the fire and crushing goals keeps me pushing forward. Teaching 9-11 classes a week is physically tiring, but I never get “sick and tired”. They keep me going. I love their smiles through it all. I always say to them, that the more they grow, then the more I grow. I never want to stop growing as an instructor and finding better and new ways to help people. I appreciate their support for my business, for my family and for one another. Their love and support is unmatched. Without them, there would be no Shell Shock Fitness!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shellshock.fitness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellshockfit/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSFthefirewithin
• Twitter: https://x.com/ShellShockFit
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShellShockFitness