Group Instructor Life

As a Zumba Fitness instructor, I pride myself on creating an atmosphere conducive to my students exercising with full confidence and sass. My goal is to always create an energetic space which allows everyone to be free with their movements and have an enjoyable experience regardless of size, coordination or disability.

Nobody wants to feel like the world is watching them when they are sweating their ass off in a group fitness room. Nor can they feel comfortable letting loose when they are in the room with a boring instructor who is so focused on themselves and how they look in the mirror rather than how their class is doing. One thing I’ve learned teaching Zumba fitness for the past 7 years is that if I'm not having fun. my class isn't either.

I am proud of the fact that I am a plus size Zumba fitness instructor. There have been times I have walked into my class and just mingled with the new folks before the class without them even knowing I was the instructor. I love it when I see their faces change when they realize that the big girl they were just talking to is about to teach the class. 

With that being said, I have had times where students have approached me after class and said “You know, I had already counted you out when I saw that you were the instructor but, your class is amazing”. I used to let comments like that get to me but then I started looking at my class numbers steadily increasing and realized that I am great at what I do, no matter my size.

I've heard people judge others by saying “There's nothing to be proud of when you’re overweight”. Hearing comments like that used to cut me to my core until I came to the realization that the type of people saying such things have more than likely never dealt with severe/morbid obesity. They may have saw it kill a loved one or negatively impact their life, but have never been obese themselves. 

Judgement had never produced positive results. If I let judgement rule my life 10 years ago, I would have never stepped foot into my first Zumba Fitness class in Orlando, FL. Because of that first class, I  met one of the most inspiring instructors and mentors of my life. Three years later, when I moved back to Jacksonville, I met two more inspiring instructors that encouraged me to get my Zumba license. Now seven years later, I am paying it forward and inspiring and encouraging my students.

So I want to inspire and encourage those who read this. I want you to know that your fitness goals matter, group fitness classes are not scary as you may think they are and that confidence comes in all shapes, sizes and abilities. So get out there, be great and dance till the pounds come off! I’ll be there right with you!