Meet KATIA LEMOS

One of Brazil's Most Renown Sportaerobics Coaches, and One with a Mission

Katia Lemos was born and raised in Minas Gerais, a northeastern city of Brazil near Rio de Janeiro, known for its friendly, gentle people and the mining of semi-precious stones and crystals.

Katia, one of three sisters, had a tendency toward movement and was actively practicing gymnastics by age 12. She pursued a career in Physical Education, received her masters degree in 1994 and began teaching middle-school-aged children, and is now pursuing her doctorate in Sportaerobics and Fitness. "I believe that sportaerobics is a profoundly perfect sport for children," Katia comments. "In Brazil, we have a culture of music, of movement, of dance, and of joy. My objective toward sportaerobics is not only the competitve aspect, but really, to create possibilities and an environment where sportaerobics is available and practiced by our children and surely for all those who love it as well."

Not only does Katia coach many of the world-class, medal-winning athletes we've seen come out of Brazil, she is passionate about the socio-economic problems faced by her country, the impact it has on her country's people, and the resulting affect it has on each individual's ability to dream and follow those dreams.

Not one to take no for an answer or let an obstacle get in her way, Katia has been relentless in raising funds for Brazilian athletes to compete worldwide. The political turmoil arising between sportaerobics federations left Brazil's sportaerobics infrastructure fragmented, that combined with the country's mounting economic strife left Brazilian athletes with little else to support them but ingenuity. "We performed in the streets, " shares Katia, "and when the performance was finished, we went car-to-car through stopped traffic to receive donations; I am not sure if this was good for them or not, but I believe in my heart that they learned 'to go for it,' to do what it takes, whatever it takes, to follow your dream. I am very proud of them all." Furthermore, Katia herself made her plea to millions, posting banners during one of Brazil's televised soccer matches to publicize her search for sponsors and donations. She even flashed her father's home phone number to the masses, something her father was none too happy about, though he remains fully supportive of his spirited daughter.

Katia also made inroads with every contact she had, be it the city mayor, Brazil's famous soccer players one being "Alex," Alex Souza, or local business owners, letting them know of the great opportunity for these children and their desire to represent Brazil worldwide--and their undeniable need for financial support. "Alex" gives our young athletes advice and influence," she says, "about motivation, ambition, and focus." We are so grateful to have his influence, it's very powerful for the children.

Interview with Katia Lemos (KL):

IAF HQ: Katia, What do you love most about sportaerobics?

KL: "Aside from how incredible it is that sportaerobics is a music sport, and so closely aligned with the music of the routine and all the beauty of that for the soul, I love the mental control that is required, the control that comes from having a dream and pursuing it. A dream is the way to keep the fire within us alive. To have a dream that requires a focus, it's so important. For instance, if you fail, you get right back up because you have a dream, and you keep going. By having a dream, you can make a difference. First for your own life, and then toward the life of others. Everything starts with a dream. Sportaerobics can be a starting place for a dream. This is what I love."

IAF HQ: What is one of your favorite sporaterobics routines, one that you like the most?

KL: "That would have to be the Brazilian Trio and their Egyptian routine. Additionally, I loved Olga and Roberson's Mixed Pair routine as well as the performances of Isamara Secate."

IAF HQ: What world athlete do you admire most, outside of sportaerobics?

KL: "I would have to say Ayrton Senna, the race car driver (who was killed doing what he loved). I admire him because he believed in sports for poor people, for their morale, for their development."

IAF HQ: What advice do you offer the youth athletes of today?

KL: "My advice to all young athletes is to have a dream, set the goal, then work to make it come true. Focus! Is the other advice. Apply deep mental focus! Yes, training is hard, it's so repetitive, yes, this is true. But all the talent in the world cannot succeed without the mental focus required to submit to the training that is necesssary to perfect the skills and surpass expectation. Now it is so easy to let the world 'entertain' you, watch television, play video games, buy more things like computers and gadgets. For what? What does this do for you, for your life? You must believe you have more to experience than that, what is your special gift and talent? Dream about it and start your life. Follow whatever dream you have about yourself and your future. "


IAF HQ: What is one of your main life's goals?

KL: "My goal now which is also my Ph.D thesis: To make sportaerobics in Brazil an official government program for both middle- and high-school aged children. To make sportaerobics classes available in schools and offered twice per week. I want to continue to promote the very strong influence this sport has had on our culture."



IAF HQ: Katia, thank you for sharing a bit of your dream with us. A dream that brings something to the lives of others. You are making it possible for young sportaerobics athletes in Brazil to showcase their incredible talents on the stages of the world, and are doing so with ingenuity, fortitude, and determination.