12/29/2025
Well, it’s official! Yes, I’ve been invited to be a Zumba® Jammer for Zumba Fitness, and as of right this minute, my first Jam Session is LIVE. I’d say I’m speechless but to be honest, there’s a lot of love I want to say!
I’ve been a licensed member of the Zumba Instructor Network - ZIN for over 16 years. I’ve been a member of the Zumba Community Council for over 6 years. I’ve applied for any number of opportunities in the fitness world and I’ve often heard no, or not yet, or it’s not for you, or keep trying, your time will come.
If I can impart any wisdom from this process to you, my dear friends who maybe don’t see where they fit, know this.
1. You don’t have to live in one box. Live in 5 caring, loving boxes or lean into one really strong one — just live like no one who cares is going to judge you for it. I’ve never been friends with anyone who said I should stop writing testimony or fight any less for my trans loved ones. Nor have I, at any point, heard from my union friends they think I should stop twerking. I firmly believe every circle of my life is to show welcome, and care, and community and I only surround myself with a circle of people who believe in that same welcome, and care, and community.
2. It’s time to ACT. Put the video online, go to a PFLAG meeting and practice the pronouns, update your website, sign up for the training, whatever you’re holding back doing, just do it.
Lastly, and think it’s key:
3. Be an authentically good person. Because whatever happens at events and trainings and public comment can be documented, but how you treat people, how you show up, can be FELT. We may not ever remember someone’s name, the things they said, but we will always know how they made us feel. I don’t think I got picked to be a choreographer because of my conducting background or my social media-worthy moves. I think, I hope, I will help represent our community because, above all else, I believe in strengthening each other and building family. Please, let’s make our garden grow!
