Megan Roup, Image: Supplied
Dance has been known to be a form of cardio, self-expression, and pure fun - and no one knows this better than Megan Roup, fitness guru and entrepreneur extraordinaire. Inspired by her love for grooving to the beat,
Megan - who once lived in Cape Town - founded The Sculpt Society, a dance-based online workout program available worldwide via the app, including in South Africa. The method is addicting, and has cultivated an international following of people on different journeys, but united by their passion for Megan’s workouts, and the positivity and endorphins it yields.
Beloved by a range of celebrity fans - including the likes of Sofia Richie, Hunter McGrady, Martha Hunt, Shay Mitchell, Arielle Charnas, Devon Windsor, Romee Strijd, Shanina Shaik, Candice Huffine, Elsa Hosk, and Morgan Stewart - Megan’s expert advice has helped sculpt some of the most famous bodies in Hollywood.
GLAMOUR South Africa spoke exclusively with Megan about how The Sculpt Society came to be, why dancing is the best feel-good workout, and why moving slow and steady is the ideal way to get in great shape.
GLAMOUR: What sparked your passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle? Was this always important to you, or did a certain instance in your life inspire it?
Megan Roup:
Movement and a healthy lifestyle has always been a part of my life, since I started dancing at 7 years old. After I graduated from NYU I started dancing professionally and began teaching fitness as a side hustle to support myself. I never dreamed I would make fitness my life, but I quickly fell in love with teaching and the connections/direct impact I was able to have on the women I was seeing everyday.
GLAMOUR: What is your current fitness regimen, and your nutrition plan you use to stay in shape?
MR:
I really only do my method, The Sculpt Society. TSS combines simple dance cardio and sculpting to a fun and effective workout. I stream live classes on The Sculpt Society App 6 days a week from my NYC apartment and that is my workout for the day. I keep nutrition very simple, I am a big believer in intuitive eating and I strive to eat real whole food. There is no magic trick or secret pill - ditch diet culture and eat real food.
GLAMOUR: What one thing do you never skip in your workout?
MR:
If you are a member of the TSS App you know I love a plank. They aren't in every workout, but definitely one of my favourite exercises.
GLAMOUR: How would you describe your philosophy on health and fitness, and how has it evolved?
MR:
When I launched The Sculpt Society I wanted to fill a gap in dance based fitness. I felt like women thought they needed to be working out for hours a day to see results or have a professional dance background to enter into a dance based fitness class. So I wanted TSS to be under an hour, efficient, fun and make the dance cardio simple so that all levels could feel successful. My mission with TSS is to empower women through movement to feel their strongest, most confident self.
GLAMOUR: Who or what gives you the most inspiration and motivation to achieve your fitness goals?
MR:
Fitness is all about feeling good, so my motivation always comes from knowing how I will feel after a workout. Working out is my moving meditation and my goal is to always feel like my best self.
GLAMOUR: What specific fitness goal are you currently focused on?
MR:
I no longer have "fitness/body goals," I think that can create unhealthy habits with your body. I really strive to appreciate my body at all stages and everything that it does for me. Fitness makes me feel strong, empowered and I have fun teaching The Sculpt Society, which is so important.
GLAMOUR: What's the best way for someone to motivate herself to get fit?
MR:
I think the first step is to find a way of working out that feels good, that you have fun doing and that you truly enjoy. Once you find something it will be so much easier to be consistent with your fitness routine.
GLAMOUR: One of the key elements for staying consistent with working out is accountability. Who keeps you accountable for working out consistently?
MR:
My #TSSfam community! I am live streaming on the TSS App 6 days a week, so when I know thousands of people are showing up to workout, I have to bring it!
GLAMOUR: What tips would you give to someone wanting to live a more healthy lifestyle?
MR:
Take it in baby steps. You can't go from 0 to 100 overnight, you will never stick with it and it isn't sustainable.
GLAMOUR: What inspired you to create The Sculpt Society and how do you think the methods you use are helpful in achieving one’s fitness goals?
MR:
TSS is a full body workout, so you are getting cardiovascular and strength training all in one. On the TSS App I have 3 different programs you can follow, which gives clients a great balanced workout
GLAMOUR: You’ve trained numerous celebrities such as Hunter McGrady, Martha Hunt, Shay Mitchell, Arielle Charnas, Devon Windsor, Romee Strijd, Shanina Shaik, Candice Huffine, and Elsa Hosk, Morgan Stewart, and many more. Why do you think celebrities trust you for fitness help?
MR:
The Sculpt Society is FUN, I think celebrities are drawn to that and stay for the results. For so long I think people thought they had to kill themselves in the gym, and TSS proves this isn't true.
GLAMOUR: Do you have any advice for people in terms of how they should approach fitness and working out post-COVID?
MR:
I think COVID has taught a lot of people that you can get a great workout from home with not a lot of space or equipment. It is also a lot more cost effective than a gym membership. Post covid, I think we will see people continue their at home fitness routine.
GLAMOUR: What's something most people may not know about you?
MR:
My family is from Cape Town! I spent every December growing up coming to Cape Town with my family and lived in CT when I was 11. Any Wynberg Girls Junior School girls out there?
Got a fitness question? Email Sebastien at [email protected] for his expert opinion!
