Krispy Kreme Challenge Trial #1

I have a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30.  Running a 5k in under 30 minutes is on that list, but I keep falling off the wagon when I train for them.  I've run a few in the past year, always clocking in 1-2 minutes short of my goal.

So, when I met the Resource Development Coordinator for Lexington's Habitat for Humanity (a fellow Michigan Alum), I was so excited to hear that they were doing a fundraising Krispy Kreme Challenge 5k.  For those who have never heard of this, participants run a 5k, but stop in the middle to consume a dozen Krispy Kreme original glazed donuts.  I'd heard about these races, but I have never had the opportunity to participate in one.  With a sweet tooth as strong as mine, this finally gave me some motivation to get my feet back out on the pavement.

There's a Krispy Kreme right down the road from me.  So, I decided to see how far away it was:

Roughly 1/2 of a 5k.  How perfect!

This sparked the idea to actually train for the upcoming KKC.  Nothing intense, but I wanted to try running it a few times and consuming donuts to see how my body would react.  (Plus, my domestic partner doesn't let me eat delicous Krispy Kreme donuts without a reason.)  I decided I would run my first trial and eat only a half-dozen donuts.  This is already about double the amount of calories that I'd burn by actually running a 5k, but I used it as breakfast, also.  I was given the advice to start the race hungry.  I'd never typically do this (nor recommend it), but it makes sense in this case due to the calories I'd be consuming mid-race.  I'd feel guilty if I had breakfast before this many donuts, anyway.

Here's how it went:

My time was way faster than I would expect.  So, I had some doubts in Google's distance.  When in doubt, MapyMyRun.  MapMyRun indeed told me that the distance was actually only 1.43 mi.  That explains the discrepancy.  However, I'm still running faster than I expected.  I don't expect to win the upcoming race, but if I can continue to run that fast, I should be able to check another goal off of my 30 by 30 list.

Still a great route for training. Maybe I'll circle my block to perfect it.

I'd still like to do a run where I eat 9 donuts, as well as a practice run where I eat the whole dozen.  I can't do it this weekend (the in-laws are in town).  That gives me just enough time to get two more good trials in before the real Krispy Kreme Challenge is here.

Here's to hoping you find something that motivates you this month!  Feel free to come run with me and raise money for an outstanding organization.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

Commitment to ZUMBA

I was recently approached and offered a job at a local dance studio teaching Latin dancing.  The catch:  I would have to sign a non-competition agreement and stop teaching ZUMBA, or any dancing, at other facilities.

I was honored, but I declined the offer.  I love dancing.  I love teaching.  I miss both.  If I had never found ZUMBA, I would have taken that opportunity immediately.  However, I've made a commitment to myself and to ZUMBA.  I'm sticking to it.

I had to weigh a few things.  First of all, ZUMBA provides me with a free gym membership.  As much as I enjoy a dance studio, my workout options are limited to dancing only.  Secondly, ZUMBA is recognized pretty much everywhere now.  I've worked at major fitness clubs now in Lexington and San Francisco.  It's easy to contact those clubs, and it's easy to track my popularity.  Saying that I was an instructor at a small, local studio that nobody has heard about doesn't hold the same weight.  Third, my typical class size for ZUMBA is 50+.  That's 50+ people that I'm actively help reach their fitness goals.  No matter how popular my dance class might be, 50+ wouldn't even fit in the studio. 

So, though I thoroughly support local businesses, I do not support fitness employers that don't let you work at more than one facility.  They have to recognize that they just don't pay enough and that we instructors don't really enjoy monotony.  I've held salsa classes in the living rooms of friends' houses, so of course I'd like to teach it.  Maybe another opportunity will come around.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

Successful Auditions

Getting your first class can be quite difficult.  Heck, breaking into the industry in a different city after you've moved can be difficult.  However, I just had a successful series of auditions, landing me a class at Urban Active in Lexington, KY.  Here are some key points that I felt pushed me in front of any candidates that I may have been in contention with.

Passion & Skill
I'm not in the best shape.  In fact, I always wonder what people think when I walk in the door and claim that I'm a good dancer (especially now that I say I'm a licensed Zumba instructor).  I don't look like the person you imagine when you think 'good dancer' or 'fitness instructor'.  So, when given the opportunity to prove myself, I dance.  I dance hard!  My original Club One audition was mainly me attending a Zumba class with one of their elite instructors, and her just seeing how I move.  My ankle hurt a little, I was sweating like crazy, and I felt like everyone was watching me (the instructor announced that I was auditioning).  Regardless, I danced my butt off.

Confidence
Nobody wants to hire you if you appear shy and seem uncomfortable, especially in regards to your skills.  They're going to depend on you to pull students in for them.  Don't write checks that your dancing can't cash, but don't underplay the amount of work you've put into yourself.  If you know that you can put together a solid routine and be comfortable to start teaching a class, then show it, and do whatever you can to achieve it.  Check your ego, don't be cocky, but being too humble doesn't really put you at the front of the pack, now does it?

Enthusiasm
I've got an active blog, an active Twitter account, an active Facebook page, an interesting Zumba profile, business cards that link all of my social media sites, and tons of ideas to use all of these to get and retain dancers!  I originally came into my BORP interview as a big ball of energy.  I had tons of ideas, I had good answers to the questions, and I could prove in a variety of ways how much time and effort I've been putting into this.

Luck
Sometimes things just have to swing your way.  My first, unsuccessful, audition was ruined when my interviewer was dealing with a sports injury and wouldn't be able to Zumba with me.  I was passed on for much more experienced fitness people, since I could only be based on experience and appearance.  On the other side, the Zumba instructor I auditioned for at Club One was also an ex-ballroom dancer, as shown in her moves, so I was able to keep up with her better than most other people that might attend her class for the first time.

Don't Get Discouraged
I have only been offered a job at about half of the auditions I've done.  To me, that's pretty good, but I can understand if people get discouraged when they're rejected.  Keep practicing.  Keep reaching out.  And keep trying.

Hope this helps anybody going through the same cycle right now.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

Zumba Bracelets

There's a secret tradition that only those of us who are licensed Zumba instructors are let in on.  Something to make us feel connected with each other.  Something that helps build the sense of community between instructors (as opposed to competition) that we're so proud of.

However, I ♥ my dancers, and I think it's such a cool tradition that I want to include you.  I don't think that I have such a large network (yet) that it will get back to many others that I squealed, so feel free to take part in the tradition.  After all, Zumba is one big community, and instructors are just dancers in the front, front row.

The tradition is simply that you don't buy Zumba bracelets for yourself.  Specifically, those rubbery ones.  Nobody is going to judge you or say anything or even look down on you if you do.  It's totally cool to be enthusiastic.  The tradition is just that you buy and pass out bracelets to other people.  I actually always assume that if you have a bunch of bracelets, it's because you've collected them from other people.  This isn't the case for any other Zumba swag, but feel free to turn it into your own thing among friends with earrings or toning sticks or whatever, if you want.

The other half of the tradition is not to expect anything in return.  Maybe you'll get a bracelet back at some point in the future, but that's not really the point.  It's Zumba's secret random act of kindness.

No matter what Zumba outfit I'm wearing, have you ever noticed what is always on my right wrist?  You guessed it.  My bright yellow 'WILD FOR ZUMBA' bracelet.  (Always might be too strong.  Humans forget sometimes. ;)  If you look at my Becoming ZUMBA Facebook page profile picture, you'll see it on my right wrist.  The profile pic comes from the full picture below.  I was given my first bracelet (this same yellow bracelet) at this event, by a beautiful instructor that teaches in Tahoe City, CA.  (She's in the blue genie-ish outfit beside me.)

From the Truckee, CA, Independence Day Parade, 2011.

All this being said, I've ordered some bracelets.  Not a ton.  They're coming straight out of my (shallow) pocket, so don't assume that they're paid for by any of the studios I'm teaching at.  These are from me to you.  If you are around about a minute before class once they come in, you'll likely get one.  If you're rocking it out in class, or if you're responding to my questions/jokes, or if you bring someone new to Zumba, you may get one, also.  There aren't any rules, other than you shouldn't expect to get one, nor should you expect to have much choice in the color or style you get.  Remember what the point of them are.  You're joining in on a secret tradition that has been going on since 2001 when Zumba was created.

If you don't want it or don't like it, pass it on.  That's the point.  Spread the gospel of Zumba.  And at some point in the future, when you're feeling particularly inspired or rich, feel free to buy your own collection and pass the tradition along.  I'm really excited to do this.  I'm such a geek.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

Class Music

Anyone who has ever taken any type of cardio/fitness/dancing class knows that the music can make or break the class.  I try to keep that in mind in choosing the songs that I use and choreograph.  I'm really hard to motivate to work out.  So, if it doesn't move me, I know it's not going to do much for my dancers.  I also know that I have a very unique taste in music (hello, Showtunes) so I try to keep that as under control as possible.

My advice for picking music?  Variety is the spice of life.  Try to add at least one thing that is unique to you.  This is a great chance to pull in your background and put your stamp on something that is truly you.  Try to add at least one song that's on the radio right now.  When your dancers are in the car, and it comes on, they'll think of you.  Much like a craving for your favorite food, your dancers will be excited to come back and dance to that song.

After your first month of teaching, try adding at least 1 new song each week.  If you've been teaching for a while, feel free to pull from old choreography.  Dancers that have been with you for a long time love when you pull out an old favorite.

Some things unique to the way I run the music in my classes (not recommendations, just things I do):

♫ Music. Never. Stops.  I think this is the Zumba method that they teach you when you go to the Instructor Training.  However, I've rarely seen it done out in the real world.  Once I start my iPod/CD, I walk away from it until the class is over.  I already have it formulated for alternating high and low intensities, and it makes sure to evenly distribute songs with the same style.

♫ Similarly, I don't include water breaks.  I beg my dancers to get water whenever they need.  Water is extremely important.  I just think that my choreography is repetitive enough (without being boring) that you can step out for a minute, throw back some cold water, and hop back in without feeling like you've missed anything.

♫ No two classes have the exact same song list or lineup.  I teach 3-5 classes a week.  I rearrange my playlist the night before every class.  Adding and subtracting songs based on my dancers, and what I'm feeling at the time.  On Thursday evenings, I teach two classes back-to-back at the same studio.  I've never had a dancer stay for both classes, but I still have different lists.  It keeps it refreshing.

Finally, keep your game face on when you make a mistake.  Nobody memorizes all of their music.  It changes too often.  I even change some choreography for my songs between classes, if I find myself particularly inspired by a section of the song.  You're going to make mistakes.  The big thing is to not let it show.

People who are good with music, or that know your routines, will know.  That's cool.  It's not like they're going to laugh out loud and point at you.  That's not a large fraction of your class, anyway.  If you can keep a cool face, continue with whatever dance move you mistakenly made, and fashion the rest of your song to make it work, then most people won't notice.  However, if you say "Oh, crap" and start doing something else, people start to keep a mental tally. Do that 3-4 times in an hour, and someone will walk outside and make some comment about how you don't even know your music.

I'm no expert.  I haven't even been teaching Zumba for long.  These are just things that I've recognized from years of going to many different Zumba instructors in different locations, along with my background in salsa and ballroom and dance classes in general.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

Breaking Even

Money was never really a part of my decision for BecomingZUMBA.  My health was.  I figured that since I had very little motivation to go to the gym ever, and the costs of drop-in Zumba classes in Los Angeles and San Francisco were breaking my bank, it would be nice to be paid to work out.  A wonderful, temporary instructor at Flying Yoga Shala in Oakland, CA, told me that if she had her own studio she would hire me.  (She ended up starting her own studio and becoming the group exercise manager for a fancy sports club throughout the Bay Area.)  If you've read my blog from the beginning, you know how apprehensive I was about becoming an instructor.  I didn't think people would want to take classes from a fat guy.  It wasn't great "this is what you'll look like" advertising.

All that being said, last week I made enough money to break even.  From now on, every class I teach for the next six months is pure profit.  I keep a very thorough spreadsheet detailing parking charges, BART fees, sub payments, Zumba gear, promotional items, insurance fees, ZIN membership fees, trainings, other Zumba classes I take, etc.  And though I had spent almost $650 before I got my first paycheck, it was only 6 quick months before I had turned into pure profit.

This is even more amazing when you consider that I only teach 2 classes per week, and one of those classes pays less than $10/class on average.  I do sub regularly, so my average is probably closer to 3 times a week.  The point is that I'm not killing myself, I'm healthier, and I'm making money.  win-win-win!

I'm heading off to Lexington, KY for 6-12 months to accompany my domestic partner on her temporary engineering assignment.  I'm going there without any great full-time employment leads.  Yet, I'm confident that I will be able to continue to teach Zumba and make money from it, no matter where I go!

I've been talking to a few students lately to convince them to become instructors themselves.  This is why.  Again, it's not about the money, but in this economy, the money helps.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

Forgot My Shoes

Anyone who has ever taught a dance fitness class, or been any sort of dance instructor, has a deep fear of forgetting their music.  Or their music not working (iPod stops working, CD skips, etc.).  We have nightmares about it.  We get anxious about it and check our bags multiple times before leaving (and even upon arrival) for class.  Though Zumba was founded on such an incident (Beto forgetting his music and playing Latin CDs out of his car), it doesn't help ease the stress that a dance class is based on dancing to music.

So, I regularly freak out about my iPods, CDs (yes, I bring 2 of each because I'm crazy), and all of my music.

Never, ever, did I think about worrying about my shoes.  Until I forgot them.

My Rod Lavers.  I love their soles for dancing!

For the past 2 weeks I've been subbing for a Zumba class on Wednesday morning at Nob Hill.  I taught a class there over the summer, and most of my regulars dance in this class, so it's been fun.  I also have my regular Wednesday evening class at the Fillmore Center.  Both of these are in San Francisco, and I live in Oakland.  Also, I wear the same shoes for all of my Zumba classes, since they work perfectly.

I get pretty sweaty when I'm dancing.  My plan was to wear flip-flops in between classes so that my shoes get sufficient drying time.  It keeps 'em fresh.

The amount of time between the two classes was too long for me to just loiter aimlessly in the city, and my dog was having oral surgery, so I figured I would head home for the afternoon.  I came home, hung up my wet clothes, put my shoes out to dry, and did typical house-husband things.

When the time came around, I changed, grabbed my Zumba bag, and headed to class.  It turns out that I left my shoes at home.  I discovered this an hour later, once I was deep into the city in rush hour traffic.  There was no way of me getting to a shoe store, let alone home to retrieve my shoes.  So, I danced barefoot.  I explained to my class how much I always freak out about bringing music, and how ironic it is that the things I actually forget are my shoes.  Which it's really difficult to leave your house without.

Things went well.  Socks make for good spins.  It still just cracks me up that I actually forgot my shoes for a Zumba class.  I'd recommend you try not to do that, and maybe breathe a little easier about your music.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB