A few weeks ago I was introduced to a friend of a friend. During our brief encounter, we made small talk about our jobs and hobbies. When I mentioned I was a Zumba Instructor, I could tell from the skeptical look on her face that she wanted to say, “oh really?”, but she just smiled and we continued to carry on with our conversation. A few days later, my friend told me what “the friend” had to say. There was the usual, “she seems nice” followed by “she doesn’t look like she teaches Zumba.”
Oh Really?
Initially I felt myself taking offense to the judgement this person was making on me because of my size. It took me back to another incident where a similar assumption was made. One of the benefits of being a ZIN member with Zumba, Inc. is that additional training comes in the form of “Jam Sessions”. This is where another instructor spends a few hours teaching new choreography, which you can take back to teach in your own class. I attended one of these sessions. When the instructor welcomed those of us who were in attendance, she ran down the different types of instructors each of us more than likely represented. When she mentioned Zumba Gold (Zumba for seniors), she looked directly at me, presumably because she “sized” me up to not be able to teach a basic class. Upon locking eyes, I made up my mind right there that I was going to out dance everyone in there including her. Well, I came close. I picked up the choreography quicker than most in the class, and I almost killed myself trying to keep up, but I did it!
The moral of both stories is just what the title of this post says: Don’t Let My Size Fool Ya! As I continue to work towards my goal, I’m constantly confronted with experiences like this. My message to those who “judge a book by it’s cover”, is STOP IT! You don’t know my story, clearly you don’t know what I’m capable of and as it relates to Zumba, I can dance most right under the table. So take that! BAMM!
monna says
Should have invited her to attend a class….free
Deborah says
You go girl. I’m glad that you allowed other peoples issues to make you better instead of bitter. We can’t control what other people think, say, or how they react to us. However, we can control how we respond to their ignorance or wisdom. As Pastor Cross would say, shake the dirt off that they are trying to throw on you off and pat it under your feet.
Keisha says
People are stupid. Honestly. Your experience reminds me of the looks I sometimes get when mentioning to co-workers that I work out regularly. I know they really want to say, “But you don’t look like someone who goes to the gym.” But what is “that” look. Muscle-bound? Maybe, if I took a lot of supplements. Long and slim? Only if I was born with that body type. The truth is that people who make snap judgments like that don’t seem to understand that fitness really does come in all shapes and sizes. You keep being the best you that you can be!
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Traci says
I have a few comments:
1. Who is this “friend” that would tell you about such a negative comment? I would have never mentioned that to you. Why pass along hurtful or negative comments? It only causes division.
2. Ppl often say that I don’t look like I work out either until they see me in action. Enough said….
3. What does the friend of a friend look like?
Ok I digress. I have two words. LOVE YOURSELF! Who cares what anyone else thinks