Lead Myself, Live Forward: An Autoethnography of My XENITH Journey

Simple item page
aut.embargoYes
aut.embargo.date2026-11-14
aut.thirdpc.containsNo
dc.contributor.advisorWright, Richard
dc.contributor.advisorEnari, Dion
dc.contributor.authorLi, Feiran
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-14T01:23:34Z
dc.date.available2024-11-14T01:23:34Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractThis autoethnographic study delves into my personal experience with XENITH, a renowned global leader in group fitness based in Auckland. Through the employment of a serious leisure perspective, I explore why I, along with many other Asian females, find myself obsessed with the XENITH FIGHTCOMBO group fitness program. It has provided me with physical and psychological benefits together with social support (Kim et al., 2014). Most importantly, it has enabled me to develop traits like individuality and assertiveness, which are often deficient among Asians due to the influence of Confucian principles (Cheng, 1990). Unique insights are uncovered through the construction and consumption of the evocative autoethnography focused on my participation and socio-cultural connection through the XENITH FIGHTCOMBO group fitness classes. Through my personal narrative of the various stages of involvement in this serious leisure pursuit – starting, developing, establishing, and maintaining, I reminisce about my past, review the present, and envision the future, displaying a leisure career of eminent showmanship (Stebbins, 2020). The whole process embodies self-discovery, allowing me to break free from the rigid Asian stereotype of characterising females as cute and weak. It liberates me from societal standards and external expectations, empowering me to lead a life guided by my own choices and aspirations. Finally, I reflect on the entire writing process and my master’s study, recognising them also as a testament to emotional intelligence and self-leadership. As I write and study, I find myself growing—learning to respect and embrace the community around me while intending to spread passion and love through my workouts and words. The purpose of this study is to resonate with readers and reveal the socio-cultural impact of group fitness as an emerging serious leisure activity, underscoring the significance of leisure education and promoting the application of autoethnography.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/18310
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAuckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.titleLead Myself, Live Forward: An Autoethnography of My XENITH Journey
dc.typeDissertation
thesis.degree.grantorAuckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Business
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
LiF.pdf
Size:
976.3 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Dissertation embargoed until 14th November 2026
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
895 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters Dissertations