Why I became a Zumba instructor and how you can, too
I still remember my first Zumba instructor. Her name was Lynn and she taught the Zumba classes on campus where I went to college. She was petite, like me, and seemed quiet, but as soon as the music came on she was on fire! And if you’ve taken Zumba classes before, that’s pretty much the essence of Zumba instructors. It’s usually the quiet, unsuspecting ones who light up the most when the music comes on, myself included.
When I started taking Lynn’s classes in 2012, I never, ever expected to become an instructor myself. Zumba class was just a way to have fun working out. I have a little bit of a dance background so it was easy for me to jump right in. I started telling my friends about the class and so it became our Friday night routine. Dance our asses off in Zumba class, visit the dining hall, get ready, then go out and dance our asses off some more. And if one of Lynn’s songs came on in the club, we were the crazy ones doing Zumba moves in the middle of the dance floor.
Then graduation day came and that meant no more Zumba classes with Lynn. But one of my BFF’s from my hometown, Jill, became a Licensed Zumba Instructor and started teaching. So I joined in. And when she told me how fun and easy the Zumba Instructor training was, I thought, well hey, if she can do it, why not me? To be honest though, I was totally intimidated. If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I was not super athletic or fit. That is until I started my health & wellness journey where I learned how to workout and eat healthier. That changed my life in many ways and one of them being the confidence to actually sign up for the Zumba Instructor training.
By the time I took my instructor training in April 2014, I had lost about 20 pounds. I had also gotten into grad school and was preparing to move across the country to Los Angeles. So another big motivating factor in my decision to become a Licensed Zumba Instructor was because it would be the perfect side job while in grad school. Getting paid to workout? Yes, sign me up!
Now let me tell you how fun and informative the Zumba Basic 1 training was. It was from about 9am-5pm and we danced most of the day. I still remember how sore my calves were for days afterwards. The ZIN instructor, Ann, was motivating, non-judgemental, and very knowledgeable. I learned the foundations of Zumba which I still use to this day. In fact, I still even use one of the songs and choreography we learned that day - Fuego by Kumbia Kings.
My selfie with Beto Perez, creator of Zumba, at the 2015 ZIN Academy.
In June of 2014 I moved to Los Angeles and as I settled in I started applying for my first Zumba instructor job. By August 2014, I started teaching at LA Fitness, and on campus where I was attending grad school. That’s right, I was following in Lynn’s footsteps! Though it wasn’t the same college, I was now teaching college students, the same way I was first introduced to Zumba.
My schedule was wild though. Twice a week, I would have school in the morning, run to the gym to teach a lunch time Zumba class, take the fastest shower of my life, and then sprint to catch the shuttle to my next grad school class where I would spend the rest of my evening. And then, LA Fitness had me teaching all over LA County, from downtown LA to Hollywood and Alhambra to Studio City. It was like I had my own Zumba tour going on. And then, in the spring of 2015, Beto Perez, the founder of Zumba, came to Los Angeles for a special ZIN Academy. I was ecstatic. Being from a small town in the smallest state, I was just beyond excited that I now had access to fun and amazing things like the ZIN Academy and meeting Beto Perez!
Photo by Sean P. Walker
At the time of this writing, I have been a Licensed Zumba Instructor for over 11 years! It’s hard to believe. Becoming a Zumba instructor has changed my life. For one, it has given me the outlet for dance that I needed. But the biggest way it changed my life, is that it opened the door for me to also become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor and a Certified Health & Wellness Coach. These endeavors not only have served as an important supplement to my income, but it has kept me motivated in my own personal health & wellness journey. And also, I love it! It’s an incredible feeling but also humbling to know that as an instructor, your students look to you to provide a fun, safe, and enjoyable workout experience. And I’m really proud of this part of my identity. Again, never, ever did I think I would be a fitness instructor. But here I am!
So, like how Lynn, Jill, and Ann all were for me, I would love to be a part of your Zumba story. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Zumba instructor, please feel free to reach out. And the best part, as a Zumba Instructor, I can get you a steep discount to take your first Zumba training. All you have to do is use the link here to search for and sign up for your training.
I’m still in Los Angeles, teaching Zumba and other fitness classes, so if you’re in the area, I’d love to have you join one of my classes. But no matter where you are, just keep dancing.
