After giving birth to my first son in 2005, I remember being really discouraged about my weight and my overall health.  I have always been tiny/petite however I gained 35 pounds with my pregnancy and was having a hard time getting the weight off.  My husband and I had planned our first vacation after Trenton was born.  We were heading to Las Vegas and I desperately wanted to lose a few pounds before our trip.  I joined the gym for the first time ever and began DRAGGING myself there in the hopes that I could find something that would motivate me to go.  One day I decided to check out the Zumba class there all by myself.  I stood in the back corner in the hopes that the instructor (now, my mentor, Nancy Hills) wouldn't be able to see me dancing!  No lie, from that very first class, I was hooked!   The music, the energy, everything about this class was what I had been missing in my life.  I knew at that moment, that I was meant to be there on that day, and I've not gone more than a few days without Zumba since.  IT TRULY CHANGED MY LIFE!  No longer, did I have to drag myself to the gym.  I wanted to go....I craved it!  I loved how happy it made me.  I never noticed the pounds coming off, I just knew that I was becoming a different person, both physically and mentally.  Zumba became my passion!  I continued to come to class religiously while pregnant with my son, Landon, and again, Zumba kept my weight gain under control and helped me shed the pounds afterwards.  After several years I finally decided to take the leap to become an instructor and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I am changed.  I am healthy.  I am confident.  I am motivating.  I love the person that I have become and I love my students!  I love seeing them inspired like I was so many years ago!  I am so happy to support them in their journey for a healthier lifestyle and celebrate with them in their accomplishments!  I see such positive changes in each person that sets foot in my class and it makes my heart so happy!  Here are a few of my dear friends who I'd like to celebrate with for all they have accomplished!  I'm so very proud of each one of them!