Even though the holiday season is behind us, that doesn’t mean stories of good deeds must stop.
Josie Nisbett spread holiday cheer this season by being a good Samaritan. In December, while at Bloomingdale’s, she found an unlabeled pouch that contained $9,000 in cash. Many might ponder what they would do in such a situation, but for Nisbett, the answer was simple.
“I turned it in to the store,” she said. “It belonged to someone, and I had to give it back. It’s a testimony of who I am.”
It’s no surprise that Nisbett gave the money back. She’s served the community for years through her company, Be Fit With Josie, and she is on a mission to improve the health of New Yorkers. She teachES Pilates, Zumba and other forms of exercise to get people fit.
A daughter of Brooklyn, Nisbett started out as a model and actress, traveling the world. She did fashion shows and worked the runways, most notably in Milan, Italy. She also acted in films in Rome.
After returning to America, she noticed the way Americans live compared with Europeans and wanted to change things.
“I missed the quality of life in Italy,” she said.“People in America work so hard, and their lifestyles leave them depleted. We are always on constantly, and that leads to stress and that can affect our health.”
But it was a diagnosis 15 years ago that changed everything for Nesbett. She learned she had thyroid cancer. Battling cancer made her realize she had to get her message of health out to the masses.
“I knew when I was diagnosed it was serious,” she said. “When I was going through the treatment, that inspired me to live and move in a better mind and spirit.”
She became a certified fitness and Pilates instructor, receiving her training from New York University, The Xercize Corp. and Hunter College. Today, her certifications include Gyrotonic, Pilates and aerobics instructor, exercise physiologist and fitness consultant.
She teaches fitness in spas and churches in the community and in major gyms, such as Reebok Sports Club. She is currently holding a class called “Ministering to the Spirit,” in which she teaches people to empower their own healing ability through breathing techniques, affirmations, song, imagery and yoga.
Nisbett has advice for those making the resolution to get fit in 2015. “Create a three-bullet plan,” she said. “Where I am, where I would like to be and how do I get there. Make a contract. Join and gym and commit to working out for 30 minutes, three to four times a week.”
She is expanding her Be Fit With Josie brand and is in the process of developing a website and setting up fitness events for women in Harlem. She also has a DVD.
For more information, email her at befitwjosie@gmail.com.