Meet Michelle Trabelsi | Founder & Creator of BOOTIE CAMP FITNESS

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Trabelsi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Teaching makes me genuinely happy! I love empowering my students to challenge themselves, push through resistance, utilize the breath for power, and discover what their bodies can do. Witnessing their transformation and seeing them become stronger, more flexible, and more confident satisfies me immensely. I am especially grateful when students share how my classes have changed their lives.

I teach yoga outdoors every weekend through my Temecula Yoga in the Vines and monthly Beach Yoga classes. I am passionate about inspiring my students to practice gratitude every day, appreciate nature, release their burdens, and ground their feet in the earth. When I facilitate yoga teacher trainings, we spend a great amount of time practicing outside and, especially, on the beach. I love mentoring aspiring new instructors through my 200-hour Yoga School and Bootie Camp Fitness trainings. Witnessing their personal growth and blossoming self-confidence brings me gratification.

I also love flowing in power yoga to classic rock music with my students. It creates a fun, energetic atmosphere and a positive vibe.

I cherish time with my 5 grandkids and watching my kids be parents. I love creating choreography, pushing myself hard at the gym, and hiking up steep mountains. I love the sauna after workouts and find peace practicing yoga on the beach. Painting abstract Art is my creative outlet, and giving back through my annual Temecula Yoga 4 Hope in the Vines, and now with my daughter by my side, completely soothes my soul!

What should our readers know about your business?
Bootie Camp Fitness is a unique workout method featuring carefully choreographed classes that target specific body areas, primarily the bootie and core! Each session ends with a vinyasa yoga flow, so you feel AMAZING, as each program sculpts your entire body and seriously kicks your BOOTIE! I strive to educate and inspire individuals of ALL abilities that optimal strength and flexibility can be attained at ANY stage of life through slow muscle-toning movement, proper body alignment, breath control, and focus.

What makes Bootie Camp Fitness unique is its emphasis on slow, intentional strength movements using the resistance of one’s own body, balance, breath control, and high repetitions (hence the tagline “AGAIN!”). This method creates an enjoyable yet challenging experience where members leave feeling accomplished and sore the next day with that signature “bootie burn”—living up to the tagline “Take the Challenge, Feel the Burn!”

My teaching journey began 30 years ago in martial arts, which led me to teach power vinyasa yoga 25+ years ago. 15 years later, I accidentally created Bootie Camp Yoga® while seeking a more intense workout that combined power yoga with body sculpting.

I launched Bootie Camp Yoga® at Gold’s Gym and YMCA in Temecula, and it grew organically through instructor certifications and expansion to Las Vegas and other cities. The program earned recognition, including “Best Group Fitness Class in the Inland Empire” (2014 & 2018) and a feature in American Fitness Magazine. After taking a hiatus, I created additional formats: Bootie Camp Barre® (which incorporates classical ballet movements) and Bootie Camp Boxing (featuring martial arts and heavy-bag work).

After years of presenting at expensive fitness conferences and for various other reasons, I decided to take my business in a different direction. Following a long break to focus on my health, I redirected my vision. During this time, I created my newest format—Bootie Camp Strength, which combines the best elements of my Bootie Camp Barre® and Bootie Camp Yoga® formats with increased intensity. All of the Bootie Camp Formats are incredibly unique from each other.

I have always envisioned opening a boutique studio in Temecula with handpicked instructors who share my passion for Bootie Camp Fitness and Power Yoga. My dream is to expand to North County Coast—I’m a native San Diegan, so my heart naturally gravitates to that area. My ultimate vision is to eventually franchise my brand to other cities like LA and Vegas, and honestly, everywhere!

Several months ago, I received an exciting opportunity to share studio space with The Ballet Studio in a beautiful new Temecula location. This partnership marks an important step toward my vision. I’m launching my newest format—Bootie Camp Strength “Intense” (on the Bosu ball) at the studio in the next few months! It is for certain the most challenging yet!!

My advice to creative entrepreneurs is to keep moving and never give up on your dreams, even when it’s hard. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t taken time off when life threw me curves, but I also give myself grace and feel proud of everything I’ve accomplished. I will never stop creating! I’m excited to settle into a space where I can continue perfecting my brand and exploring all the possibilities ahead for Bootie Camp Fitness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
On Friday, I would take my friend to my classes at the studio. A chill morning shopping in Old Town Temecula, then an early dinner at one of my favorite Old Town spots, Crush and Brew. They have great food and wine choices.

Saturday morning, I would drag her to my power yoga and barre classes at the studio, then make a quick trip to the Farmer’s Market in Old Town Temecula to grab a gluten-free vegan donut from EAT Marketplace. Then, hiking at the beautiful Santa Rosa Plateau trails, or if she’s up for it, the Monserate Mountain vertical training trails in Fallbrook. Full-body massages after, at the iconic Murrieta Day Spa, ending with a sauna. After relaxing, we would head to Anthony’s, my favorite Italian Ristorante in Murrieta, they have the BEST halibut and amazing wine choices from their own vineyard.

Sunday would start with Temecula Yoga in the Vines (led by me) at the gorgeous Lorimar Winery. We’d stay for brunch, enjoying their delicious fig & goat pizza paired with an amazing Mouvedre Petit Verdot. Then, wine tasting at a few of the dozens of wineries to choose from. Leoness is among my favorites, with great food and amazing wine. Fazeli’s and Bolero are also great choices. We would stay at the gorgeous Temecula Creek Inn, and get pedicures in the morning. For couples, I would recommend Europa Village Inn for its intimate, romantic vibe.

On Monday, we would stop by the trails at Torrey Pines to ground our clean, pedicured feet into the sand, walk along the ocean, and hike the trails. The view is serene! One last stop at Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla for a quick vegan lunch, and then off she goes. We are both busy entrepreneurs and need to get back in the grind for the rest of the week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so grateful for the following people who have supported me on my journey. Melissa, for her friendship, mentorship, and unwavering belief in me, even when I doubted myself. She encouraged me to rise when discouraged and provided non-judgmental support through my struggles. Marina for her patience through my mistakes, her sound business and spiritual advice, and her countless hours of mentoring, while encouraging me to stay focused on my brand. My daughter Elisabeth for being my sounding board, offering fresh ideas, and supporting me as my right hand. Most importantly, I thank Jesus for providing me with every tool I need in life and teaching me that His ways are better than mine.

Website: http://bootiecampfitness.com

Instagram: michelletrabelsi

Linkedin: michelle-trabelsi

Twitter: michelletrabelsi

Facebook: michelletrabelsi

Yelp: Michelle Trabelsi-Bootie Camp Fitness and also Temecula Yoga in the Vines

Youtube: Bootie Camp Fitness

Other: MindBody: Bootie Camp Fitness

Image Credits
Denise Kramer Photography