I recently had an article featured in my work’s worldwide newsletter about the workout I feel passionate about teaching. I’m including the text from the article as it is blurry from the visual photo below. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it for the world to see.
MY JOURNEY AS A LATIN JAM INSTRUCTOR
By Jerod Williams
Four years ago, I was at my most heaviest weight (220 lbs.). It definitely was a wake up call for me when I went for my annual checkup with my doctor. I mentioned my desire to get active again to one of my co-workers who told me about a dance studio near my home in Atwater Village. From that idea, I tried a couple of things that this studio had to offer: Bollywood, Yoga, Pilates and nothing really ever piqued my interest until I started taking Zumba and Latin Jam Workout classes. I love to dance and what was great about the class is that you could so get lost in the music and movement that you won’t even realize that you are burning between 600 and 1,000 calories in an hour.
Fast forward to two years later, I participated in one of the first certifications that Latin Jam Workout had to offer. It definitely was intense and nerve-wracking as there were all kinds of levels of potential instructors from all sorts of backgrounds. Needless to say, I passed both the practicum and the written exam and began taking more classes to continue my growth and development. Latin Jam Workout provided me the tools necessary for me to formulate my own routines as well as grow from the ones that my Master Trainer put together.
My first class was with a co-partner of mine. From there, I ended up teaching on my own continuing to grow and develop at the studio where I first ventured into to get active again. I now teach this innovative workout in four locations in Southern California: Heartbeat House Dance Studio, Salon Acapulco, Glendale YMCA and The Los Angeles Dance Center. It’s definitely been a journey for me growing from student to instructor. Most of the comments from my peers and others that have taken class with me have been both positive and definitely humbling. To be able to spread the love of what I do to others is honoring.
Four years ago, I was 220 lbs., I am now 185 lbs. and still on the journey of continuing my healthy and active lifestyle. They always say that “the journey in anything begins with taking the first step.” I am very happy to have taken that first step.
Jerod Williams 