Meet Billy Blanks, one of our Sept. 12 honorees

The Erie native went on to become a fitness icon as the creator of Tae Bo, the wildly popular workout program that combined martial arts and boxing with high-energy aerobic exercise.

The program still has plenty of fans, thanks to Tik-Tok.

Billy’s story started right here in Erie as the fourth of Isaac and Mabeline Blanks’ 15 children. Throughout his award-winning career, he taught plenty of fitness classes and also had a Hollywood movie career. Today, after hip replacement surgery, he’s still got it.

From Erie to Hollywood, Billy Blanks has made an incredible impact on the world of fitness — and we’re proud to celebrate one of our own!