Sheila Rubin is a seemingly dutiful, but quietly-tortured housewife in 1980s San Diego who is supporting her controversial husband's bid for state assembly. Behind the scenes, she is battling her own personal demons relating to her self-image - but finds release when she discovers the world of aerobics.

Sheila turns this newfound passion into her road to empowerment after discovering a way to merge the exercise with the burgeoning technology of videotape - which leads her to start a revolutionary business.