Today we’d like to introduce you to Izzy Pinto.
Hi Izzy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out weighing over 325 lbs. I had type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. I was only in my mid-30’s I felt like a ticking time bomb. I had tried every fad diet as a last resort I decided to take a Zumba class. I was instantly hooked and went on to lose over 100 lbs and get off all diabetes and blood pressure medicine. Since then I decided to get my Zumba license and help others I’ve been teaching for eight years now and I’ve watched people lose hundreds of pounds in my classes. I recently started a nonprofit called Hydrate Atl to help feed the homeless and I use my Zumba and dance fitness platform to create fundraisers and raise money for different homeless organizations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely my weight loss journey has had some ups and downs I have had to start over throughout the last eight years quite a bit. I had built a following at a neighborhood gym Xpress Fitness and when I moved to Atlanta, I had to start over again nobody knew me and had to rebuild my classes. Then last year I had an emergency hernia repair it was absolutely frightening and doctors rushed me to surgery. I worked hard to heal and get back to my classes once again. It’s important that I note that having a following isn’t for fame, Beachbody and GNC aren’t blowing up Zumba instructors’ phones doing this kind of work, but the following is truly the joy of getting to help and inspire as many folks as you can!! It’s not about us it’s about helping people gain self-worth and take their health back.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a creative and while Zumba has been a life changer for me, it has actually given me the confidence to go back to Theater and the arts. I do improv and have recently started doing stand-up. Stand-up is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life if you sing off-key if you dance off-beat we can all see that but comedy is subjective what might be hilarious to one person might be really dumb to another. I am most proud of the fact that I’m 49 years old and you are never too old to start something new and follow your dreams. You are allowed to reinvent yourself as many times as you need or want to.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters the most to me is taking all that you’ve been lucky enough to have and finding a way to pay it forward or to give back to others. Even if it’s just pouring courage into another person, a pep talk or a whole charity event.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @izzy_ft
- Facebook: Izzy Pinto
- Youtube: @izzyfit9035
- Other: Tik Tok. @izzy Pinto
