"Soooooo!!!!!!! I wanted to share my story with you because you have inspired me so much, you have made working out FUN!!!! I can't wait to get off work each day just to come to Zumba..... People think I'm crazy but I so don't care.... I have battled my weight for the past 10 years.... I danced, did gymnastics and cheered my whole life.... Breathed ate and slept it LOL... Life caught up with me and I just wanted to do nothing...So the weight just appeared, I'm sure not over night, but over time...I dieted lost weight gained it back lost it again and so on..I have been married for almost 3 years, we have been trying to have a baby the past 2, and it hasn't been easy :( Well, it happened this Febuary and for some reason it just wasn't right. I lost it 10 weeks later, I did nothing but blamed myself, everyone told me that things happened for a reason, and I finally started to see that.... I took some time off of work to get my self together and come back to the world with a fresh start and a plan... I had a couple of doctors appt, and they weighted me and I almost died, That was April 16th and I weighted 189 and I'm only 5'2" since then I have lost 36lbs :) and have worked out almost everyday.... I started eating extremly healthy...I wanted to be at my best health wise before I decide to try for children again...This experience has taught me so much about myself as a person and what I want for me, and to focus on putting my self first... Trying not stress over things is really hard for me....I;m a control freak and don't know how to let other people have control..LOL
I think what you do is so "fabulous" you have this attitude that just makes you wanna be around you...No matter how tired I am, I get sad when class is over, that hour of the day goes by so fast, Most of the time I don't even wanna leave, no matter how exausted I am... I am so blind and have a short attention spand is why I stand in front LMAO and trust me I laugh at my self alot... All my friends that go with me have just as much fun as I do, even my 2 nieces, and I bet they can't wait for your kids zumba :) I look foward to your new studio and partipating in the breast cancer walk with your zumba family.... Thanks for all you motivation, and trust me you motivate me more then you know, I even enjoy working out on Saturays too.... I feel bad if I miss a day of working out...call me crazy but I think I found my happiness again with Zumba...Keep up all you magical work... and your wonderful daughter too..."
 - -Katie Gaylord

 

 

     "Hello everyone, My name is Donnie Berry, I'm 23 years old and I'm absolutely addicted to Zumba! I'm passionate about the performing arts, especially dance, and believe that's why I developed such a quick and intense love for Zumba. I whole heartedly believe in everything Zumba represents and the character bulding, inspirational fundamentals it sets forth for all who experience it! Having lost almost 100 pounds by eating healthy and attending Zumba classes regularly, I stand as a living testiment to those who not only want to better themselves mentally, emotionally and PHYSICALLY, but to those who want to have an absolute BLAST while doing so! If I can do it, YOU can too, because Zumba isn't a workout, it's truly a party! Zumba's formula is successful because it's 70% dance, 30% fitness and 100% SWEATY FUN! I encourage any and everyone who hasn't had the privilege of experiencing a live Zumba class to do so ASAP! Not the greatest dancer? Get tired at just the thought of working out? Self concious about having a lack of coordination? WHO CARES?! Come on out to a Zumba class, let all of your inhibitions go and shake a mean tailfeather! I have had the amazing oppurtunity to Zumba Apprentice with the great Traci Smith Rivera and proudly call Fitness Evolution and Ocala Zumba my Zumba home!"

 - -Donnie Berry