Marsha Rocks Zumba
Zumba Fitness-High Energy Fat Smashing Party

When I started training with my personal trainer Ray, I told him that I had taken a Zumba class and I was interested in becoming an instructor and I didn’t know how to go about doing it because I asked the instructor I was taking classes from and she said it was very difficult to become an instructor and I had to travel very far.  The reason it interested me is because I always wanted to be a professional dancer.  Dancing was my passion.  It took me to a place of tranquility and since I couldn’t become a “ballerina” I wanted to try to become an instructor so I can also inspire people. Every time I trained with him I talked about dance.  He then found a place and sent me the link to register.  When I received the link I thought to myself, “this is unreal”.  This must be a sign.  Should I, shouldn’t I?  I told my friend Melba and she said go for it but I was still undecided about it.  Between Melba and Ray pushing me to register because it is always something I wanted to do, I registered.

My first workshop was scheduled with Allie Ramirez.  It was for Zumba gold.   The day for training came so quick and it took me 3 hours to get there but looking back at it, the trip was worth it.  She greeted me with a hug and kiss and I felt like everything was going to be ok.  She was very welcoming and I met some friendly people there.  Coming from Brooklyn, I am not used to people being friendly lol.  So, here I am at training and I am looking at all of these people there with the same goal I had.  I thought I would never make it through it but everyone was very reassuring.  When I finished my workshop, I called Ray and said I did it.  He was very happy for me and proud as well.  He knew how much I wanted this.   Now, here I am with this license and he says to me you will start teaching in 2 weeks.  I thought to myself “WTF!!!!”  Is he out of his mind?  I am not ready.  I am not confident enough but he said you are doing it anyway.  I remember my first day teaching.  We were traveling to a school in Brooklyn to train and build clientele and I had only 3 students in my class along with Ray.  At that time I didn’t know I could do my own choreography but I don’t think I was ready either, not that I am now because choreographing your own workout is definitely not a piece of cake.  I practiced the video Zumba sent and that was what I taught in the class.  I was so nervous and I only had 3 people but guess what they enjoyed it and noticed how insecure I was and reassured me that things will be fine.  They even came back again.

Ray, was no joke in the beginning.  He kept pushing me to practice everyday.  It was to point I was really disliking him because of all the pressure he put on me.   He always said you can do it and my reply was NO I CANT!” I look at it now and am thankful to have someone like him on my side.  For those of you who know us, you know we have this love/hate brother /sister relationship.  Most laugh at us because it can be funny but we work well together.    2 months later is the grand opening to Seek fitness a year ago.  Now, that was scary!!!  A year ago, we had one member at this time.  His name was Michael Graham.  He supported us so much.  He came to train everyday, even being the only person he showed.  Then we had our 2nd member member Meredith sign up and from there it began.  The start of a new family forming at Seek.  It was Ray, Dave and me. Ray had us training 12 hours a day.  Yes, 12 hours.  He was such a mad man but it was ok because our goal was to grow as individuals and instructors.  We always wanted everyone that walked in to get a personal feel from us.  It is never just business, we really do care about the people who walk through the door.  We want them to reach their goals, their goals also become ours.  There was so much pressure to please everyone but we managed.  Then, there would be announcements to go to Zumba events and he would order me to go.  Again, I didn’t feel I was ready but he pushed me.  There was a Zumba half time event at Madison Square Garden which was going to be led by Richard Martinez and I was so afraid to go because I didn’t want to mess up.  There were a lot more instructors there but still I felt all eyes were on me and I couldn’t mess this up.

That is where I connected with my girl Lisa.  We hit it off immediately.  I told her about my first party in pink and the grand opening at Seek and she came to support.  We have become very close friends.  She supports me in everything I do.  Another instructor who came to show support at that time was Michele Pome.  She performed songs for the love of Zumba.  That is where I did my first master class.  I was so intimated about having Michele come because I heard she was so good that I thought I would never measure up but I realized as an instructor we all have different styles and that is what people like about us.  The different styles and flavor is what makes us who we are.  I enjoy working with different instructors because you can learn a lot from them.  Sometimes the constructive criticism can be taken personal but should not be because atleast people are honest enough to tell you what they feel you need work in.  I got that a lot from Ray and Michele.  At times they both pissed me off but it was just them trying to help me.  Now, I have learned so much in the past year.  I am grateful for the people I crossed paths with, lost a few on this journey but they will always remain in my heart because I have learned something or another from them.  Ray has been my rock through this entire process.  He still pushes me the try to be the best I can be and guides me as best as he can.  I am now living my dream to dance as a career, thanks to Raymond Grijalvo’s patience and support.  He is my best friend and best colleague any person could have.  I am forever grateful to you Ray!!!