Her Story
About Amy
I've been a fitness instructor for just over 13 years, teaching Zumba, barre, strength and conditioning, and functional fitness at multiple community centers and dance studios. My journey began back in 2011 when my husband at the time was deploying to Kuwait and I had two young boys at home. I was able to get a free membership at the YMCA and started taking Zumba classes. That was my gateway into exercise, and I just loved how it made me feel, so I wanted to be able to share that with other people as well. That's why I decided to become licensed to teach Zumba. Starting at the Y, I was able to take multiple trainings through them, including group exercise and strength and conditioning certifications. They'll throw you into any class as long as you have the background, so I was able to teach multiple different formats and eventually figured out what I really liked. My main focus is making people feel accomplished by the end of the workout. I give multiple options for different exercises and moves so that everybody can leave feeling like they were able to accomplish the class. I don't want it to be a 'shut up and keep up' environment. I want everybody to feel like they got a good workout and they feel good by the end of it. What I'm most proud of is that people continue to come back year after year, and they've followed me to all my different places. I also work with a special needs population, going in to teach dance classes for them, which I really enjoy because of how much I'm helping these people in their everyday lives, teaching them how to do movements properly without hurting themselves and working on their balance.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to just showing up. I don't allow the negativity to bring me down. There can be a lot of competitive people in this field, especially with Zumba where people can be really clicky, but I just stick to what I'm doing on my own side and stay away from that drama. I keep showing up consistently, and that's what has made the difference in building my career and keeping my clients coming back year after year.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that you have to have a thick skin, because not everybody's going to like you. You just gotta get in front, put on a smile, and just continue, and eventually they will learn to like you. People get very conditioned to going with one person, and when somebody new comes in, it takes them a while to get accustomed to the new person. So you can't take it personally. You just have to keep showing up and being yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the fitness industry is to be true to yourself. Don't try to mirror other people's style. People will adapt to your own style, but it takes time. You have to keep showing up and stay consistent. Don't let the competitive nature of the field or clicky behavior get to you. Just focus on what you're doing and stay in your own lane. Be authentic, and your clients will appreciate that and stay with you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is dealing with competitive behavior and clicky groups, especially in the Zumba community. People can be really competitive and want your spot or your slot. I try to stick to my own lane and do what I'm doing on my own side, staying away from that drama. It's important not to get caught up in that negativity and just focus on your own work and your own clients. The key is to maintain your professionalism and not let those dynamics affect how you show up for your classes.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that's most important to me in my work and personal life is that what you give into the world, you get back. I truly believe in this principle and I see it play out all the time in my life. When I give positive energy, care, and dedication to my clients and the people around me, that same energy comes back to me. It's about putting good out there and trusting that it will return to you.
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