By Tiffany Merlo Phelps
mail@floridanewsline.com
After more than 30 years in the fitness industry, Ron Hiett knows that there is no shortcut to good health. “Diet, exercise and sleep. These are the three pre-requisites,” said Hiett, who is a group fitness instructor for the Brown Family, the Nocatee and the Williams YMCAs. “You can spend your time being either proactive or reactive. If you are proactive, you are working out, watching your diet and getting enough sleep. Or you are reactive, and you can sit in a doctor’s office because you got an ailment because you didn’t move,” said Hiett. That is how Hiett, 67, has lived his life — being proactive and finding balance. His fitness journey began when he got a job at a gym to get a free membership since he could not afford one. After getting certified as a group fitness instructor, Hiett taught floor aerobics. “I was awful at it, but I was so enthusiastic,” he said. Soon, Hiett improved. By day, Hiett, who grew up in Washington, D.C., worked as an accountant (eight years in private industry and 23 years with the United States Department of the Army). At night, he worked at Sport and Health Fitness, eventually earning his personal training certification. “I just really enjoy working with people and helping people,” he said. At 33, Hiett sustained a back injury after reaching for something in the kitchen. He later found out that he had two degenerating discs in his back. After several visits to the chiropractor, Hiett said a friend suggested that he practice yoga regularly. Hiett researched it, tried it and felt instant relief. Unfortunately, Hiett later reinjured his back, and this time yoga did not help. Instead, Hiett discovered Pilates, which not only helped his back, but improved his other workouts and led him to get certified in Pilates and practice daily. Exercise and group fitness are also what helped Hiett maintain some sense of normalcy when his late wife Vicki Brown battled pancreatic cancer. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal pancreatic cancer in August 2023 and died on Jan. 7, 2024, at the age of 69. “I say that she transitioned. I have to believe that we do not pass away. Energy just transforms. Her energy that she had for life and living and supporting people. It does not go away. It just transitions to something else.”
Q: Could you share more about Vicki.
A: Vicki was not just my wife but also my beautiful friend. She was the chief learning officer and director for the Office of Employee Development at the Department of the Army. We have two adult children, Jason, 42 and Valoree, 41. We moved here four years ago and built our house from the ground up. Vicki had the vision. She insisted on purchasing two big palm trees for the property and putting in a swimming pool because she always said, “What is the point of waiting?”
Q: How does Pilates help you?
A: Pilates made my yoga, running and weight training better. It makes everything better. I always try to incorporate that into my training. It really helps my posture and my core, and I weave it into my yoga class, into my client’s weight training, and I put it into my warm-ups so they can see the benefits.
Q: How do you approach group fitness and everyday fitness?
A: When I am in front of the class, it is not my workout. It is your workout. I teach to the back of the class and try to offer encouragement and motivation. I recommend incorporating small amounts of exercise and activity throughout the day.
Q: You have a signature look. Explain.
A: It is a rarity that you will ever see me in long pants. I always wear barefoot shoes, a bandana and shorts. I have collected 70 different bandanas.
Q: What is your perspective on life?
A: We are here to have experiences. Put your effort there — into helping people and sharing your gifts with people. You always think that you will have time to do it later, but sometimes this is the only time that you have.
Photo courtesy Ron Hiett
Ron Hiett
