A railroad engineer, Lou struts his stuff at least four days a week, often through Forest Park, where he’s become somewhat of a local celebrity.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS
- This is my meditation in motion. My intention is to get a workout, to go have fun—not to perform.
- Almost 10 years ago, I felt it necessary to start being healthy—so I began running, but it was boring to me. How do people run just for the sake of running? I listened to a CD a friend made me, and it was the 1980s all over again. When I listened to this while running, I just had to dance. So I began to run and dance.
- Back in high school, a couple friends and I were walking through the hallway and we saw a whole bunch of girls onstage dancing. The teacher said, “This is a class. Join the class, or get outta my room.” On a dare, we started this dance class. We went in with the potential of three guys being able to be around 15 girls, but we came out with a lifetime of experience.
- Eight years ago, I was in Paducah, Kentucky, and I was in my zone, and this woman pulls up to me in her truck and she tried to hand me $20. She said her daughter was in the hospital and that watching me made her feel like everything was going to be all right. Two weeks later, she pulls up again and tells me that her daughter is better. From then on, I knew it was bigger than me just running.
- So I gave what I do a name: Funky Freestyle FITNESS: Feeling Internally True Natural Energy Sustaining Satisfaction. The acronym came up because people were attracted to not just me but what I was feeling inside.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS
- I am getting more people to ask me what I do—all ages, races, backgrounds. First it was intimidating, but now it’s inspiring. My wife recognizes how people are attracted to what I do and supports and encourages me.
- One guy stopped me in Dexter, Missouri—he owns a snow cone place. He asked if I’d do a video in front of his stand, and now it has over 20,000 views. He said he’s going to name a snow cone after me.
- When people see what I do, it gives them a moment of pause. People say, “Man, thank you for making my day. I wish I had your energy.” But I tell them, “You’re seeing it in me because it is also in you.”
- My part in this world is to give people permission to express themselves. Everybody has a talent, and for some strange reason God chose me to do this, and I’m OK with it.
