April Dupre wears a tight fitting blue dress to show off her head-turning figure. Her body is courtesy of Footprints To Fitness, her unique company focused on the journey to healthier living – physically, mentally and emotionally.
“As a wellness coach, my role is to help others find a balance between having fun and staying healthy,” she says, and she certainly looks like the poster girl for healthy living. “We love to eat, drink and dance to the beat of our own drum in New Orleans. I’m the one that helps teach you how to keep the beat of New Orleans while still being healthy.”
April enjoys explaining how dressing in blue fits her lifestyle. “Red had always been my favorite color, but after experiencing some tough times I began noticing the calming feeling I had when being surrounded by the color blue. Ever since then, me and ole’ blue have been the best of friends. I even named one of my cats Bleu so I guess it was meant to be.”
It is easy to see why April was on the Saintsations cheerleading and dance team that performs at the Saints football games when she was a student at the University of New Orleans, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology with a minor in psychology.
“Exercise physiology sounds like a fancy major; it really means that I know a great deal about the body, and I am proud to say I have been in the wellness industry for 13 years as an educator, certified group exercise instructor, personal trainer and CPR instructor,” she says, and then she smiles, adding, “Along with all the seriousness of my business, I always keep in mind that if you live in New Orleans you have to make room in your life for fun, good music and lots of dancing. As a wellness coach, my role is to help others find a balance between having fun and staying healthy.”
A native New Orleanian who graduated from Dominican High School and later taught there, she says she adores the culture and how the city lives inside of you.
“I consider myself blessed to be born in here. I love how friendly strangers are and that I can find a new dance partner while listening to my favorite bands at our many great music clubs and bars. New Orleans will forever be a part of my heart. I have a never-ending bond with this place.
“Footprints To Fitness, my studio at 1001 Harrison Ave., is special because we have fun and get work done,” she continues. “Our mission is to help people live a balanced life while staying true to New Orleans culture. We laugh, eat, drink, but most importantly we hold each other accountable and that’s such a great feeling.
“I challenge myself to live outside my comfort zone, but I don’t sacrifice comfort when it comes to style, and since blue is my favorite color, naturally most of my wardrobe reflects my love of all shades of blue. Even 90 percent of my vacation wear involves blue, including my bathing suits. I figure why not match with the water to blend in with the mermaids?”
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