By Romy Stephens
Since losing both of her jobs due to Covid-19, Josie Rothon has turned her life around by running her Zumba classes online.
The Mount Evelyn mother of four has been a fitness instructor for 24 years and became a Zumba instructor 10 years ago.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year, Ms Rothon lost all of her income sources.
“My gym was shut down and I was also a waitress, I lost both jobs,” Ms Rothon said.
Despite being “terrified” of using technology and Zoom, the outgoing fitness instructor decided to livestream her classes online.
Little did she know at the time, the switch would soon become an overwhelming success.
“I had over 50 women in the first class…I made $6000 in one week even though I said to everyone it was a donation only,” Ms Rothon said.
The classes have also hit the global stage, with participants tuning in from places such as the United Kingdom, America, Denmark and New Zealand.
Ms Rothon attributed the online success to her addition of humour and entertainment within her sessions.
Participants will often hear her cracking jokes between dances and she also likes to keep her routines simple, so anyone can join.
“I do a lot of simple dances to modern pop music, ranging from Michael Jackson to Beyoncé and Tina Turner,” Ms Rothon said.
“I don’t do a lot of Latin. It’s not Zumba in the sense of Zumba, it’s simple and easy-to-follow routines that you add your own energy.”
Ms Rothon said moving her classes online has allowed her Zumba to become more accessible for all different body types and fitness levels.
“For people that have never tried dancing before and are afraid of the word Zumba, they can do it with their camera off,” she said.
“I haven’t got the perfect body but it’s not about that, it’s about enjoying the body you have now and embracing exactly who you are.
“It’s for everybody, any fitness level, I have participants from 3-years-old to my eldest at 79.”
Ms Rothon now runs 11 classes a week and charges only $4 for each class.
She runs a mums and kids class every Sunday and a themed night every Friday, where participants dress up and there is a $30 gift card for the best dressed.
But the benefits of her online classes during Covid-19 haven’t just gone to participants, with Ms Rothon saying her own life has completely changed due to the support from her online community.
“It’s really humbling and I’ve never felt better about my own body. I’ve always, in my fitness career, been up against my peers who have six packs and are muscly,” Ms Rothon said.
“For the first time in my life I’ve started to have my own appreciation for my own body and self love.”
To find out more about Josie’s classes follow Josies Live Zumba Facebook group page or contact Josie on 0403 316 433.
