THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507180099
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
As the Y's Guy on WVEC-TV's ``Good Morning'' show, Terri Hankins will stoop to most any level to get her viewers to listen to a few of her wisdoms on living a healthier, happier life.
She has stretched, twisted and contorted her body - all while sitting on a chair - to show couch potatoes how to tone up without ever leaving the sofa.
She has demonstrated water aerobics without water.
She has cracked jokes and traded barbs with hosts Jimmy Ray Dunn and Rhonda Bentley.
For one segment, she showed off a 5-pound load of fat to give viewers a peek at what a little obesity actually looks like.
``It was really disgusting,'' said Hankins, the fitness director of the Downtown Norfolk YMCA.
But it grabbed viewers' attention.
``We've had a lot of people call after shows, asking questions and wanting more information,'' Hankins said. ``This spot been a good community service for the Y. I just couldn't believe there were that many people up that early, watching TV.''
Yes, you have to get up pretty early in the morning to catch Hankins' pearls. The show airs weekdays from 6 to 7 a.m. Hankins' four-minute segment comes on at about 6:45 each Tuesday.
But there is an audience. Hankins says she already has had her first ``celebrity sighting.''
``One day in the grocery store, this guy started looking at me funny, and then he asked me, `Aren't you on the `Good Morning' show?' '' she recalled with a laugh. ``I guess people really are watching.''
Hankins is used to being recognized. A former professional actress, singer and dancer, she's perhaps best known locally as the ``Me, too'' girl on the Jackson-Hewitt TV commercials. She also has done loads of other less-memorable commercials, appeared on CBN's ``Another Life'' daytime drama and performed in industrial films, dinner theater productions and regional plays throughout the South.
She came to Norfolk in 1980 from her hometown of Cincinnati as one of only a handful of interns selected to spend a year at the Virginia Stage Company. At the time, she had her sights set on an acting career.
But after several years on the road, doing shows in one small town after another, Hankins discovered that, although she loves acting, the actor's life is not one she found satisfying.
``Theater is a whole life,'' she explained. ``You have to be committed to long hours and transient living. I like being more settled where I have some control, yet still have a creative outlet.''
Promoting fitness is a perfect blend, she maintains.
``I love selling fitness and a better balance in life,'' Hankins said. ``It's a simple message that I think will make people better and happier. After all, health is where it is. If you have your health you really have everything. And I have to remember that, too.''
An outgoing 36-year-old, Hankins came to her wisdom about life choices after grappling with her own dilemmas.
During her acting years, she worked a potpourri of odd jobs to help support herself - everything from waitressing and selling insurance to working as an ophthalmology technician.
The stress soon took its toll. Trained as a dancer, Hankins was used to working out. In between shows, she didn't have a regular regimen and her weight ballooned.
So Hankins took up aerobics at the Y to help keep in shape. Before long, she was hooked and began teaching classes part-time. Later, she took on the job of coordinating aerobics, then served as the assistant fitness director at the Bute Street facility.
She discovered a refuge from a busy life.
``The Y became my home away from home,'' said Hankins, a Hague Towers resident. ``It's such a haven for people. Everyone's accepted here ... there's really an eclectic group that comes here to work out. I just fell in love with the attitude.''
She decided she wanted to make a career of the Y. Two years ago, she was named fitness director.
``Working here mixes everything I like,'' Hankins said. ``I believe in fitness, and I believe in health. I like fund-raising and working with businesses. The job is perfect for me.''
A few months ago, when the Y's public relations firm came up with the idea of the TV spot on the ``Good Morning'' show, Hankins was the logical choice to become the Y's Guy.
``Putting my face out there is no problem for me. I was born wanting to perform,'' she said with a face-spreading grin. ``It seems like I'm always having to make a fool of myself.
``But, you know, it's funny. Now, that I've decided that fitness is the avenue for me, I've finally got a regular acting stint ... even if it is only four minutes.'' ILLUSTRATION: Terri Hankins is the fitness director for the Downtown Norfolk
YMCA.
Staff photos by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
As the Y's Guy on WVEC-TV's ``Good Morning'' show, Terri Hankins,
center, trades barbs with hosts Jimmy Ray Dunn and Rhonda Bentley.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB