Billy Blanks: Basically I was doing a workout for myself, but I would always wonder why women didn't get involved in martial arts. I was working with Gayle O'Grady and one day went to her hair salon to ask the women there if they'd like to try this class I created. They did, they liked it and asked if I would teach them a couple days a week. So there was a small group of women in my basement working out to the theme song from "Rocky." I don't even know if they were paying me then. It wasn't about the money; I just wanted to get the word out.

Bankrate: Well you're out of the basement now so you must be getting paid for your fitness efforts.

Billy Blanks: Oh yeah. My business has done very well and I have my family involved in it now and helping me run it -- my wife, Gayle, and my daughter Shellie and Billy Jr. My kids teach classes with me and Gayle helps on the business end. I have my own home office with two computers in there now. I have a Mac laptop -- my wife and I each have one -- that I take on the airplane with me when I travel. I'm always trying to design new Tae Bo techniques. We're going to upgrade all the computers and software soon to a whole new system. My office has top-of-the-line digital equipment. And I have a collection of Thomas Blackshear Ebony vision statues in the office.

Bankrate: I remember when you raced in the Long Beach Grand Prix years ago. Was that your first exposure to the world of racing?

Billy Blanks: We sponsor an Indy car and we took second place at Indy several years ago. I always wanted to be a race car driver. My first experience with a performance car was when I had a 1969 Roadrunner that I rebuilt, but I didn't know how to use it back then. Now I know.

Bankrate: Which is a bigger dream for you -- becoming a famous celebrity or being able to drive a race car?

Billy Blanks: It's truly a blessing to be known by the public. I'm thankful that I've been put in a position to be recognized and to be able to help people. To me, that's awesome.

Bankrate: Is that why you started your motivational seminars?

Billy Blanks: Well, I always wanted to get the fitness word out there and let people push themselves to break through their own boundaries. When I speak to people I tell them the most powerful thing for me in the world is words and what I say out of my mouth goes back into my ears and makes me think about what I'm going to do. So I always tell people first and foremost, watch what you say because you're going to be what you said. And that's advice that doesn't cost a penny. Then, of course, I give advice on how to be successful in losing weight both in a workout program and making it an everlasting program instead of just an overnight thing. Success doesn't come overnight in any shape or form.