It wasn’t until I became a mother of two incredibly sweet, wild, beautiful boys that I found dancing.
Like so many other women, I dedicated all my days to maintaining the home and children and loved every moment of it. But, it was easy to forget about myself. Did I shower today? Did I brush my teeth? Forget about actually taking care of myself physically. I was unhappy with the way I looked physically and the way I felt. I knew I needed to do something about it. But, what? I had never worked out a day in my life.
My mom happened to be the one who ultimately motivated me. She wanted to start going to a dance fitness class. As we all know, having a partner to be accountable to helps. A lot. I’ll never forget my first class, I stayed in the back row and wasn’t even sure if I wanted to come back. I loved the energy and watching it, but I was intimidated. I couldn’t keep up. I was so out of shape and so exhausted from moving these muscles I hadn’t moved in years. Or maybe ever.
I came up with so many reasons why I shouldn’t go back. But, something inside came alive when I was in that class and it made me want to be a better version of me. I went back week after week. I started seeing small changes, I was losing weight and I had more endurance. It was my first step into fitness. I was comfortable right there. I was more fit, happier, and healthier. At that time I didn’t even have a desire to instruct fitness or really take it any further. I stayed in that place physically and mentally for a couple years.
Then I found out our family was moving across country…to Colorado. I didn’t know a soul there. I was leaving all my family, my friends, my home town and the only fitness class I had ever enjoyed. I felt lost for so many reasons.
I knew I had to stay in the game, or I would slip back into the old “me”. I just couldn’t find a class that had half the energy of the class I knew and loved. I started thinking, “maybe I can do this?” There was a lot of self doubt. Making the decision to actually get certified to teach was terrifying to me. But, I knew I had to continue to move so I took the leap.
Luckily, a studio owner from the town I was living in was at the certification. She offered me a job on the spot. In that studio I was given the freedom to teach any style, to any music. Being able to teach was a huge crutch for me. It helped me transition into my new life in Colorado and gave me back that community and comradery I so desperately craved. I started losing even more weight and became more aware of fitness and nutrition. An awesome byproduct of dancing.
In April 2012, Tricia came into my class. I saw a lot of myself in her when she first started. She’d hang in the back row and as the weeks turned into months I saw her weight melting away and next thing I knew she was in the front row right next to me. The rest is history. We started creating together, pouring our hearts and souls into it. We created Groove. It was a labor of love.We wanted to do it. We needed to do it. It filled us up. Unfortunately, the little studio we had been teaching at closed. When that door shut, a window opened. We quickly found a new home to teach Groove at a local gym that really provided us with an opportunity for growth.
At almost 40 I am stronger, mentally and physically. I am healthier. I am happier. Over the years I have seen Reb3l success stories in so many woman. Each one on their own journey, each with their own story. They are truly an inspiration and they are the reason I love doing what I do.
Reb3l has motivated me to do things I would have never imagined myself tackling. I now have my Group Fitness Certification, Personal Training Certification and Nutrition Certification. Not to mention I’m now a co-founder of a fitness business.
As women we carry so many different roles. We are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, friends and professionals. I believe as women, we carry the world on our shoulders. Taking time for ourselves can feel like taking time away from something or someone. But, it’s important to carve out a place for you, to give yourself permission to take care of you. Becoming a stronger version of yourself only helps you in this journey called life….
