From Pro Football Cheerleading to Fitness by the Beach

By Fred Swegels
Orange County Register

Judi Scudder has spent a lifetime sharing her passions for dance and fitness, from her days as a New England Patriots cheerleader to the classes she teaches today in a more intimate South County setting.

A native of New Bedford, Mass., she now lives in San Clemente and operates Judi’s Cardio Dance Fitness studio at Club Salsa Dance Studio, 34202 Camino Capistrano, Capistrano Beach. Ninety-eight percent of her clients are women, from all walks of life.

A graduate of the Hartford Ballet, Scudder ran her own ballet studio for 10 years, spent three seasons with the New England Patriots and was chosen from the squad of 45 to represent the “Spirits of New England” on a poster with seven other women from the Boston area. We asked her about life and fitness:

Q. What sized crowds did you perform for at Foxboro Stadium?

A. The stadium handled crowds of up to 60,000. It was exhilarating to be a part of.

Q. How cold could it get?

A. We were not dressed for the sometimes frigid weather. Much like when you exercise, we generated heat by moving around. Temperatures could drop below 30 degrees. We would see snow, sometimes rain. I recall one half-time show, we performed in a rainstorm and left the field completely drenched.

Q. Did anyone on the street recognize you from the poster?

A. Being on the poster was a turning point. I was oftentimes recognized in my hometown and was offered opportunities like charity events. For example; I played in a charity tennis match with two well-known players of the Boston Bruins.

Q. What brought you to San Clemente?

A. I left my hometown and was living the life of a military wife. When my husband at the time left active service, we were in northern California. Shortly thereafter we came to Orange County. My kids and I like the small town feel of San Clemente and now find it a place to call home.

Q. How did you get into fitness training here?

A. My sister, who still lives on the East Coast, told me about Zumba. She had tried a class and said, “you would be good at this,” so in 2010 I got licensed to teach Zumba. I started by sharing my expertise and helping women through teaching classes in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Q. What is distinctive about the studio?

A. Club Salsa Dance Studio, in operation since 2004, teaches Latin ballroom for adults. In 2013, when I met Brenda Ortega, the studio owner, she agreed to house my fitness program in the same building. We both operate independently and clients have the benefit of getting dance and fitness under one roof.

Q. Does one have to be young to enjoy this?

A. I teach many women like myself. Being in my later 50s, I have many women that come here like me, 50s and beyond, that take class at their own pace. They get to be around other women and really enjoy being together and taking classes that are tailored just for them.

Q. Anything new coming in 2015?

A. Zumba classes, both low- and high-impact, and toning are offered for women six days a week. Flexibility classes will be added, in addition to a class for new mothers to dance with their baby. Premium packages will be added for those who experience low energy levels, joint or lower back issues or maybe want to drop a few pounds. Our team of five talented instructors love to coach, cheer you on and empower you to be the best and healthiest version of yourself.

Q. What is the state of women’s fitness today vs. when you were with the Patriots?

A. Women have many more choices today and ways to get fit. What I find most beneficial is the mind/body exercises that have come into the mainstream. These type of exercises help so much, especially as you age, to be aware of posture and body alignment that can keep injury at a minimum. We suggest finding something you love to do, for example, walking, and start there. Once you are in motion is is easier to then take the next step and start trying something new.

Q. Is pro football cheerleading different today?

A. It has evolved both on and off the field. Cheerleaders have run youth cheer camps. Some have traveled overseas to entertain troops. The routines follow the current trends in dance and music, making it very entertaining on game day.