JAZZERCISE TIMELINE
1969
Judi Sheppard Missett conceives a dance fitness class that evolves into Jazzercise in Evanston, Illinois.
1972
The Missett family moves to northern San Diego
County, California. Judi begins to teach classes at the
La Jolla YMCA and Oceanside Parks and Recreation.
1977
Judi holds the first workshops to train instructors.
Jazzercise opens their corporate office in Carlsbad, California.
1979
Jazzercise goes international with classes in Europe, Brazil and Japan.
1980
Jazzertogs by Jazzercise is established, offering a
complete line of fitness apparel, activewear, fitness
accessories, Jazzercise DVDs and logo merchandise.
1981
Judi begins hosting a segment on weekly entertainment news program PM/Evening Magazine.
1982
Jazzercise offers its first franchises.
First Jazzercise International Instructor's Convention.
1983
Jazzercise spreads to all 50 United States.
1984
The first Jazzercise home workout videocassette, titled Jazzercise, goes gold with 25,000 copies sold.
Jazzercise performs in the Opening Ceremonies of the Los Angeles Olympics before a TV audience of 2.5 billion viewers.
1986
President Ronald Reagan names Judi “Top Woman
Entrepreneur.”
1989
The Los Angeles Times Syndicate invites Judi to write an internationally syndicated fitness column on their behalf.
Judi teaches the world’s largest aerobic dance class to 6,000 Jazzercise customers at JazzerJam Chicago ’89.
1991
President George Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger invite Judi to participate in the Great American
Workout at the White House.
Ernst & Young Inc., Merrill Lynch and the Union-Tribune Publishing Company honor Judi as the “San Diego Female Entrepreneur of the Year.”
1992
Judi is inducted into the IDEA Hall of Fame.
Jazzercise Kids Get Fit program reaches 402,000
children worldwide and is presented to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
1999
The world’s largest Jazzercise benefit for breast cancer research is held, raising more than $1.2 million.
Judi is honored as a March of Dimes 1999 Mother of the Year in San Diego.
2007
Judi is an inaugural recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
2008
Judi joined a select group of women U.S. political and
business leaders for the Stellar Women’s Leadership
Delegation to China.
2009
Jazzercise signs on “Dancing with the Stars” two-time champion Cheryl Burke as company’s first celebrity spokesperson to star in national advertising campaign.
Jazzercise 40th Anniversary celebrated in Chicago as the company doubles in size.
2010
Shanna Missett Nelson is named President of Jazzercise, Inc.
2011
Jazzercise ranks #1 fitness franchise on prestigious Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500.
2012
Jazzercise ranks #1 on the San Diego Business Journal’s list of top 50 women owned businesses in San Diego County.
2014
Judi is honored with the Entrepreneurial Champion Luminary Award by the Committee of 200 (C200).
Judi is named San Diego Magazine’s “Woman of the Year.”
Guinness World Record set for largest Junior Jazzercise Lesson at Jazzercise Live! Hiroshima.
2016
Judi is chosen as a part of a select group of women leaders to attend the United State of Women,
a White House sponsored conference in Washington, D.C.
Along with 39 other entrepreneurs, scientists and social leaders, Judi is named to the Union-Tribune “40 San Diegans Who Changed the World.”
2017
Judi receives the Gus Legacy Award from The Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Foundation.
San Diego Business Journal & Union Bank awards Judi and Jazzercise Inc. with Women of the Year & Lifetime Achievement Awards.
2018
Judi receives Enterprising Women Legacy Award.
Jazzercise global cumulative sales top $2 billion.
2019
Judi releases her book “Building a Business With a Beat” with writer Susan Carol McCarthy.
Jazzercise celebrates “50 Years Strong” with an international convention in San Diego with attendees from around the world.
