MEET JEANNIE: Group exercise instructor at the Downtown Family YMCA
Jeannie never saw herself as a fitness enthusiast until moving to Chattanooga, where she joined the YMCA in January 2015. Inspired by her husband, an athlete who frequented the YMCA with his family, she signed up for a membership so her son could take swim lessons, not realizing that this choice would transform her life.
Initially, Jeannie didn’t see herself as a dancer and had never taken a dance lesson before attending her first Zumba class. She often declined her friend’s invitations, believing she was “too clumsy” and had “two left feet.” However, once she finally tried a class, she became hooked; Jeannie committed to attending classes at North River & Downtown nearly every day and saw significant improvements in her mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Jeannie’s passion for teaching led her to earn her Zumba license in 2016, and she began her first Zumba Gold class that October, aiming to share the joy of Zumba with those who might feel intimidated by dance fitness.
Today, Jeannie teaches Zumba Gold, which incorporates elements from original Zumba, but focuses on low-impact movements for older adults and those with injuries. As a current English professor, she jokingly calls herself a “PhD Zumba instructor.” She emphasizes that Zumba Gold is for everyone, regardless of fitness level. Jeannie is dedicated to expanding the Zumba community at the YMCA and demonstrating that stepping out of one’s comfort zone is where the magic happens.
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