BIO

Hey there! I’m Gloria, an adventurous Italian who embarked on a journey to London, England, in her twenties. My story is a timeline of achievements that have shaped my passion for fitness and dance.

My journey as a ZIN™ (Zumba® Instructor Network) Member began in February 2017. Since then, I’ve expanded my horizons, becoming a qualified Group Trainer (L2 GTM) and mastering the roles of a Zumba® Fitness and Zumba Gold® Instructor. But that’s just the beginning. I’ve also earned licenses to teach Plate by Zumba™ and CIRCL Mobility™. Alongside these roles, I proudly embrace being a ZIN™ Mentor and a certified Aerolatino® Fitness Instructor.

Dance has long been my calling, yet it took time for me to believe in myself. That changed when I experienced my first Zumba® Fitness class in my late thirties. The realisation hit me – this was the life-changing phenomenon I’d been waiting for. The fusion of dance and fitness, the vibrant atmosphere, and the calorie-burning exhilaration transformed my perception of exercise. The joy and energy I felt inspired me to become an instructor.

In February 2017, I secured my Zumba® Fitness instructor license and began teaching in 2018. I’ve been an active member of the ZIN™ community, mentoring, and volunteering with ZCOM™ (ZIN™ Community Council).

Certified in Safeguarding, Basic Life Support and enhanced DBS, I’ve invested in my growth with courses like Zumba® Core, Zumba® Glutes and Zumba® Cue like a Pro. My journey continued with Zumba® Pro Skills, Zumba® Virtual Pro, Zumba® World Rhythms from Africa, India, Caribbean (Jamaica), Brazil, to Zumba® Rhythms 2 and participation in ZIN™ Academies and Jam Sessions.

The impact I’ve made hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2021, I was a finalist at the National Community Fitness Awards and received the Runner Up award for my Community Impact Project 2021. This award recognises an instructor or business that has devised a project for community benefit using physical-based activities. This initiative harnessed Zumba® activities to enhance the well-being of my local community during lockdown.

I furthered my qualifications in 2021 with an Active IQ L2 certificate in Group Training, enabling me to support behaviour change and healthy lifestyle changes and deliver safe and effective training sessions. In 2022, I acquired my Zumba Gold® license, tailoring classes for active older adults, combining well-loved Zumba® moves with a lower-intensity approach.

The momentum kept building. In January 2023, I achieved my Plate by Zumba™ license, diving into the Zumba® healthy eating program’s mission to “Bring The Party To Your Plate.” This added a new dimension to my teaching – fostering healthy habits.

By March 2023, I reached a new milestone: my CIRCL Mobility™ license. This comprehensive program focuses on functional movement, flexibility, and breathwork. These dual accomplishments have equipped me to guide others toward a holistic approach to wellness.

My personal development continues as I explore alternative dance-fitness workouts, such as the Latin American fun-filled aerobic classes proposed by the exciting international Aerolatino® program. I cannot wait to start teaching this low-impact, easy-to-follow, energetic, and enjoyable workout based on Latin American rhythms and dance styles like Salsa, Merengue, Bachatango, Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Reggaeton, Lambada, Bachata, Cumbia, and more… watch this space!!

In 2024, I completed the MindSet Coach course with Noom, further enhancing my ability to support others in making positive lifestyle changes and achieving their wellness goals. Noom coaches are trained in psychological approaches focusing on understanding behaviour and motivation, which helps users develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. They use techniques rooted in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to guide individuals through behaviour change, helping them set achievable goals, overcome barriers, and build sustainable habits. This approach empowers users to make positive, long-term changes by addressing both the physical and mental aspects of well-being.

With these tools, my aim is to empower individuals on their fitness journey. Zumba® is my vehicle for change – it’s fun, safe, effective, and meant for everyone. As I continue to teach Zumba® Fitness and Zumba Gold®, I invite you to join me for an exhilarating experience. Trust me, it’s like a party in every class! Got questions? Feel free to drop me a message – I’m here to make your fitness journey exciting, safe and effective.