In the late 1980s, world karate champion Billy Blanks discovered that, despite his sculpted physique, his cardiovascular system was not in top condition. He says he incorporated karate and taekwondo into a dance and aerobics routine and the results left him in the best shape of his life. He called the routine, which marries strength training, flexibility training, endurance training and cardio, Tae Bo. The name is also an acronym for Total Awareness Excellence Body Obedience. "It brings [it all] together so people can get that opportunity to get their own workout by using their own body," he says.

Billy took Tae Bo mainstream through videos and DVDs, and now people around the world are getting in shape and enjoying themselves while they do it. He says he plans to continue offering people more inspiring workouts through his new program, Amped.