dancing with the jocks

Local athletes take to the dance floor to support Senior Action

WRITTEN BY LEIGH SAVAGE  |   PHOTOS BY SHANE ORR

Sheila McCullough, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Greenville, is used to tough workouts, including running, cycling and lifting weights. But lately, she's been shaking up her routine with a new activity: Colombian salsa.

"It's way harder than I thought it would be," says McCullough, who is being trained by Kevin Badillo at Downtown Salsa. "It's scary. It's about as far outside of my comfort zone as I can get." But by taking on the new challenge, she's improving strength and flexibility, working on her "swagger," and helping raise funds for Senior Action, a non-profit that provides a wealth of services for seniors in Greenville County.

J.J. Swartz, director of development for Senior Action, says the idea for the new event is to raise funds and awareness for his organization, but it also should create an entertaining show and perhaps even encourage a few people to try a healthy new hobby. Dancing With The Carolina Stars will be held October 2 at Embassy Suites, with 13 teams competing, each featuring a well-known local person paired with a professional dancer.

The public can vote for their favorites online for $10 (www.dancingwiththecarolinastars.com), or purchase tickets to the event. Funds go towards services including health promotion, fitness, meals, transportation and home care for seniors.

"It should be an incredible event," says Swartz, who has researched similar programs around the country. "The participants are definitely getting some health benefits."

He cites Julie Brashier of Julie's Jewels and Gifts, who lost about five pounds in only a few weeks, thanks to high-energy dance workouts. McCullough says she works up a sweat during her twice-weekly, two-and-a-half hour dance sessions, and has particularly noticed improved balance and core strength.

Thanks to the popularity of shows such as Dancing with the Stars, ballroom dancing has seen huge growth in the past decade. Studies show that ballroom dancing is an aerobic workout that also increases strength, flexibility and even mental skills. California State University found that moderate dancing burns 250-300 calories per hour, while vigorous dancing burns 400-plus. Heart rates can reach near maximum after 20 minutes of a dance such as cha-cha, polka or swing.

Just like the television show that inspired the event, Swartz was looking for a diverse selection of amateur dancers. "They always have athletes, and we wanted to do the same," he says. Athletes slated to compete this year include McCullough as well as mental coach Christina Maddox, who competes at the national level in cycling and duathlon; and attorney Jay Hewitt, an Ironman triathlete and professional motivational speaker.

Anna Stankiewicz, owner of West End Dance, is the professional paired with restaurateur Carl Sobocinski. A dancer since she was three - she is also a fitness coach - and says dancing is comparable to other sports, offering non-stop cardio and increasing arm and leg strength. But perhaps most importantly, it's fun, so people stick with it. "I work at a gym too, and with gym workouts, you know you're working out," she says. "But with dancing, you still get the workout, but it's a lot more fun and it's always changing."

Maddox, who trains six days a week on the bike, considers her two or three weekly dance sessions with Mike Lopez at American Dance Club excellent cross-training, and she plans to keep it up after the competition.

"At first, the challenge was at the brain level, with every move being very conscious," she says. As she has learned more about body positions and movements, she's noticed more of a physical workout. "You really have to allow your body to move in the cha-cha, so you need a strong core," she says.

Jay Hewitt has been competing in Ironman-distance triathlons for a decade, but even with his high-mileage fitness program, learning the cha-cha has been a challenge.

"It's been much more difficult than I was prepared for," he says. "But now I feel like I'm getting it, and it's going to be good."

He clarifies that in intense competitions, he typically keeps a confident appearance no matter what, and he plans to do the same with his dance - especially since his wife, Anna Hanks Hewitt, is competing against him. "Though I'll admit, she has years of dance experience and is much more coordinated," he says.

While the dance steps are new, the endurance and core strength he's developed over the years have come in handy. Five minutes of fast footwork might leave most new dancers panting, but as an endurance athlete he feels up for the challenge physically. "It's going to be fun," he says with a laugh.

McCullough knows her fitness base will help, but finds the performance aspect terrifying. However, she is determined to do her best and help out a good cause. "I'm learning something new," she says. "And maybe more than anything, it's taught me I can walk in high-heel shoes."