Apollo Levine is jack-of-all-trades, actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and star of the DVD, “Shazzy Fitness: A Time to Dance”. He’s an all around entertainer on his way to the top and we wanted to give you a glimpse into the heart and soul of the person behind the dance and the music. We sat down and talked to Apollo about his career aspirations, childhood, work life, and his passion for Shazzy Fitness.

Q: Who would you consider to be your role model(s)? Why?

A: It would definitely be my parents. They taught me how to really be myself and to go after what I want. My dad was my assistant pastor growing up and my mom she was just literally over everything at the church. She was a teacher in her own right. I saw her go from being a nurse, to owning her own daycare, to going back to school at 60+ and getting her degree to teach. My dad, he’s 83 now and I see him still ministering and still working hard. They teach me every day to not give up on my dreams, how to work hard and go after anything and everything that I want.

Q: Tell us about your aspirations growing up. Where did you see yourself at this age?

A: Funny thing is, I’ve always seen myself being here - maybe not in Beijing. But it was always like - I want to be a doctor, but I want to be an entertainer! I wanna be a preacher but I want to be an entertainer! Now it’s I want to be the first African American male to get a Tony, Oscar, and Grammy. There hasn’t been one African American male to do that yet. The last two years have been my breakout years. Being on BET as a recurring character on Lets Stay Together and being in Beijing starring in a show in a whole other country. It’s exactly where I want to be!

Q: How did you find your way to Shazzy Fitness?

A: It was an honest to God true blessing. I had kinda spoken into the universe that I wanted to do a workout video, and a couple of months later I get a message on Twitter, ”Hey this is Kristy, I need you to call me, hit me back, ASAP”. I’m like… I don’t know who you are but… we ended up meeting. I had already caught wind of the Shazzy Fitness concept by one of my friends who had recommended me. Then I later find out, Leslie and Vera recommended me at the same time. When we met, me and Kristy it was really like a match made in heaven from the first time we talked and it’s been great ever since.

Q: Why did you choose to work with Shazzy Fitness?

A: First, because of the Christian based message. It kinda ties into my whole “freedom to be myself” campaign… but I just really felt when Kristy started talking… there’s certain people you can’t say no to, Kristy was one of those people. And I was ok with going forward from Day 1.

Q: How has the Shazzy Fitness Project influenced or changed you?

A: How has the Shazzy Fitness Project influenced or changed me? It’s actually made me more aware of my health. African American males have a tendency not to want to go to the doctor. I have a 7-year-old daughterand I want to live as long as I can to be at her cheerleading competitions, her college graduation, her wedding. And you know for myself. I just, I want to last a long time in this industry and in this life. I don’t know when my time will be up but I’d rather not chance it. I’d rather do all the things that I can do to help prolong that.

Q: Why do you recommend Shazzy Fitness?

A: It’s just fun! You can really dance and move and, you know, if you don’t feel like doing it by yourself grab a few people and have a little dance party. It doesn’t take all day long – 10 minutes. This is ten minutes worth of dancing and then you can just go on about with the rest of your day.

Q: What message do you want to send to Shazzy Fitness fans, new and future?

A: I say, look; if you aren’t living a healthy lifestyle, begin living a healthy lifestyle. It’s a ministry all by itself. And it really does affect that way you live and ultimately it affects your happiness. So you know just be happy, live a healthy life, and explore life to the fullest. And let Shazzy Fitness help you do that.

If you found this blog post useful or would like to add something, please leave your comments below. Also, we'd love to hear your Shazzy Fitness feedback. You can email us at feedback@shazzyFitness.com.

Be well,

Brittnee