Meet Jennifer Vargas | Zumba Instructor & Program Administrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Vargas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, why did you pursue a creative career?
I currently work as a Program Administrator at a mental health/psychiatric institute out in the San Diego county area. I’ve been in the field for almost 8 years and with the same company for almost 5 but I felt like I was missing something. In early 2022, my sister introduced me to Zumba and I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. This experience was still in the mist of COVID and gyms were still slowly opening up. After the first Zumba class, everyone’s energy shifted into accomplishments, confidence and friendships. I instantly fell in love. I started co-dancing with the instructor, making new friends. I finally got the courage to get my Zumba instructor license in August of 2022. I currently teach at LA Fitness – what really drove my passion for this is when I auditioned at this gym and a member directly asked when I was teaching prior to being hired. It was in that moment that I could make a difference to individuals lives in Zumba. Seeing and hearing everyone’s reasons and stories on why they show up for themselves in my classes pushes me to continue to do what I do in the Zumba World.
My most favorite part about being an instructor is seeing the differences in people when they first step into the studio versus when they leave the studio. The confidence and the vibrant energy just shifts by the end of the hour and it just makes my day 10 times better.
Eventually, I plan on making this my full time career as it is my part-time life right now and I am enjoying the baby step journey.

This almost comes around full circle for me. I was in marching band/the visual corps in Palm Springs for all four years of high school. I wasn’t the best in dancing or twirling the flag during football halftime shows but it was freeing and performing captivated me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what sets me apart from others is the different energy and vibes that I continue to bring in each class. Typically, when people hear “Zumba,” some automatically think of strictly cumbia, salsa and merengue. Yes, these dance types are absolutely important, but I love bringing different types of music and moves from reggaeton to dancehall to pop to dembow.

One of the things that I am most proud of is hearing the different types of feedback for each song/dance from each member. But the proudest thing I can get out of this is the confidence levels of each member as they leave the gym. I am definitely excited to pursue more opportunities to bring Zumba to all types of places – charity events, other workout events, anywhere!

It definitely was not an easy thing for me to be where I am today. As most gym goers go, you see all these wonderfully fit people. I am definitely not the fittest nor the most confident person in the world, but I hope that the different in my body type and energy brings everyone in and makes a statement that says “everyone can dance and everyone can be here.”

One lesson that I have been learning is feedback. Every person loves and prefers certain people especially certain instructors – which I hear some of the time. I absolutely respect that! I was in the same boat at one point! Hearing it from an instructor side is a little heart breaking BUT it pushes me to focus on those that want to be in my class and enjoy it. Plus it also helps me realize that not everyone is going to like my style and that is ok!

I would like the world to know that Zumba is not only a workout but it is an hour of tuning the world out and just being free. Not everyone dances perfect or knows the choreography and that is ok! It’ll be your very own solo. If anyone has the opportunity to join my classes at LA Fitness in the Orange County area, I hope to make your hour a time to refocus and self care and confidence building in all aspects of your life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To break the ice of everything, first on the list is hitting a class! (Doesn’t have to be mine). Next we are on our way to my favorite all you can eat KBBQ place at I Can BBQ Korean Grill at the Irvine Marketplace! Drinks you say? We are going to ChaChas in Irvine! They have the best Watermelon Margarita and Mojito!
One other place that is a must is the Orange County Museum of Art. They have special exhibits and the last time I went, an amazing artist created crystallized Pokemon and it was breathtaking.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first few people that I have to thank in encouraging me to pursue anything I put my mind to are both my mother and father and my younger sister, Karen, along with my four-legged pup, Sujo; they all watch my practice and are my number one hype people. Also to my closest friends who I consider family: Ariana, Vee, Mariah, Sarah, Graciela, Anita, Flora, Monica, Shamila.

Without these individuals encouraging me to try different things, I don’t know where I would be in this journey.

For obvious reasons! Shoutout to the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN) for the amazing talent and teachings it has to offer!

Website: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/jennifer-vargas/2149998

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jenn.zin

Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087623256362

Image Credits
Images were taken by Karen Vargas