For over two decades, Dan Cohen and Rachael Newsham have been creating

and delivering the BODYCOMBAT™ workouts that inspire millions all over

the planet. Now they share some behind-the-scenes insights about how this

martial arts workout has grown to become a global phenomenon.

It was the early millennium and Rachael Newsham was a young fitness instructor in Preston, England.

She went along to a fitness convention, excited to learn about the newest workout programs … but the

workshop was hijacked. Instead of doing a barbell workout, a group of trainers (including Dan Cohen

and the legendary Pete Manual) took to the stage and started throwing punches. They were meant to

be teaching BODYPUMP™, but instead introduced BODYCOMBAT™ #1, which kicked off with a

titanic warmup.

Rach was instantly smitten. “Back then I loved teaching BODYPUMP, but even after just one track, I

knew I REALLY loved BODYCOMBAT!”

A few weeks later, Dan Cohen, who was a UK Master Trainer at the time, traveled north to debut

BODYCOMBAT at a local leisure center and Rach went along. She wasn't an Instructor at that club, but

as soon as she got a whiff of the opportunity to teach BODYCOMBAT, she was in. Dan trained Rach as

an Instructor on BODYCOMBAT #6. “I was obsessed. Every night I would stand in the kitchen working

on my technique, I spent hours learning the choreo thinking about how I would coach different elements,

and each night I would fall asleep listening to the music.” Despite being incredibly nervous, Rach

jumped in headfirst and began teaching each week. “We team taught our classes for several weeks

while we sharpened our skills. Learning from each other was magic. Each one of us had something cool.