The Future of Group Fitness - An Industry Conversation with Amy Boone Thompson | 116

The Future of Group Fitness - An Industry Conversation with Amy Boone Thompson | 116

Where is the fitness industry headed - and what does that mean for group fitness instructors? In this episode of DanceFit Biz Builders, I sit down with Amy Boone Thompson, Owner and CEO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, for a candid conversation about the future of fitness, group fitness, instructor education, and leadership. With more than 30 years in the fitness industry, Amy has served as a group fitness instructor, presenter, entrepreneur, media executive, and now leads one of the world’s largest organizations supporting fitness professionals. Her perspective goes beyond what happens inside a single class and looks at the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of fitness. Together, we discuss: * The future of the fitness industry * The future of group fitness * The biggest challenges facing fitness instructors today * What separates great instructors from good instructors * Why teaching quality matters more than ever * Group fitness retention and participant success * The skills fitness professionals will need in the years ahead * Leadership, continuing education, and the conversations our industry should be having Whether you’re a group fitness instructor, dance fitness instructor, personal trainer, studio owner, or fitness professional, this episode will challenge you to think beyond choreography and workouts—and consider what it really takes to create lasting impact, improve member retention, and build a successful career in fitness. If you’re passionate about group fitness, instructor development, fitness leadership, teaching, member retention, and the future of the fitness industry, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. For more info on IDEA, Amy and her new book… go here: https://www.ideafit.com/ [https://www.ideafit.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com [https://oreet.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Performance, Teaching and the Future of Fitness with Keli Roberts | 115

What does it take to stay relevant in the fitness industry for decades? In this episode, I sit down with fitness industry veteran Keli Roberts to talk about longevity, reinvention, and the evolution of teaching. From the early days of step aerobics to today’s social media-driven fitness landscape, Keli shares what she’s learned from a career that has spanned multiple generations of fitness trends. We discuss how teaching has changed over the years, why great instructors continue to evolve, and what today’s fitness professionals need to understand if they want to build a sustainable career. We also explore the balance between performance and teaching, the importance of helping students feel successful, and why the fundamentals of connection, safety, and effective instruction matter now more than ever. Whether you’re a new instructor or a seasoned fitness professional, this conversation is packed with wisdom from someone who has not only survived industry changes—but continues to thrive through them. In this episode, we discuss: • How the fitness industry has evolved over the decades• What keeps instructors relevant long-term• The balance between performance and teaching• Why student success matters• Reinvention and longevity in fitness careers• What today’s instructors may be missing about effective teaching• Lessons learned from a lifetime in fitness If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a lasting career in fitness, this conversation is for you. 🔹 Grab your seat for my FREE training, How I Teach 7 Classes Per Week Without Memorizing An Ounce of Choreography, https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB [https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB] 🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online (https://sharqui.com/online [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2lDaUF0d29uS3RDamNIRmNMNnplWDhLUWM4QXxBQ3Jtc0tuRlZmZWc2MjFpbTUyeFlfbmNXQXlBa3lwd0ZfRU1DNzhiSXJLVzRZSFJHWGNiSUI3Zk5Wb1pvSU0yZEdOemQ4UnhTUkJSNm9kaVlxeHJ5S0ZLWWU3QlpQejlFZTU0RDNNQXZFMlRabDNHYzJQSzNuVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fonline&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) 🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach (http://sharqui.com/teach [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWhYbFRVX19lSjVnSjQ1UmJtNGIzT0hIdU5VQXxBQ3Jtc0tuZUxmZXlWRy1tTTNZWVZmRkhPYlFhRE82N3dKZDQ1YjdJaVV5aXVYdUVVQ0RuSXd0NGNCM3B5Sl84ckFfWm1mcElrSThKS3ZoUXVwLXg2V2d6a2tKbjBUU3l3bFM3RjE3bUxXR0pXRFVWT2w5cVVoOA&q=http%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fteach&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com [https://oreet.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

What If the Dance Style You're Best Known For Isn't What Excites You Anymore? | 114

What happens when the dance style you’ve built your reputation on no longer excites you? In this episode, I sit down with Tirra, a SharQui instructor, dancer, and artist, to talk about the challenges of creative evolution. We discuss feeling torn between different dance styles, the pressure of expectations, teaching movement that students struggle to grasp, and what happens when your passion starts pulling you in a new direction. If you’re a dance instructor, fitness instructor, or creative entrepreneur who has ever wondered whether it’s okay to change course, this honest conversation is for you. Because sometimes growth means giving yourself permission to evolve. 🔹 Grab your seat for my FREE training, The 4 Things I Do To Sell Out Every Class (that other instructors don’t), https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB [https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB] 🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and sisterhood? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online (https://sharqui.com/online [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2lDaUF0d29uS3RDamNIRmNMNnplWDhLUWM4QXxBQ3Jtc0tuRlZmZWc2MjFpbTUyeFlfbmNXQXlBa3lwd0ZfRU1DNzhiSXJLVzRZSFJHWGNiSUI3Zk5Wb1pvSU0yZEdOemQ4UnhTUkJSNm9kaVlxeHJ5S0ZLWWU3QlpQejlFZTU0RDNNQXZFMlRabDNHYzJQSzNuVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fonline&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) 🔹 Stop hustling for pennies — start teaching with power. Your journey starts at sharqui.com/teach (http://sharqui.com/teach [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWhYbFRVX19lSjVnSjQ1UmJtNGIzT0hIdU5VQXxBQ3Jtc0tuZUxmZXlWRy1tTTNZWVZmRkhPYlFhRE82N3dKZDQ1YjdJaVV5aXVYdUVVQ0RuSXd0NGNCM3B5Sl84ckFfWm1mcElrSThKS3ZoUXVwLXg2V2d6a2tKbjBUU3l3bFM3RjE3bUxXR0pXRFVWT2w5cVVoOA&q=http%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fteach&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com [https://oreet.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Math Fitness & Dance Instructors Never Do | 113

If you’re spending hours every week memorizing choreography, building playlists, and stressing over transitions… this episode is for you. In this episode, I break down the math most dance and fitness instructors never actually do — and why so many talented instructors are burning out from unpaid prep work. We talk about: * the hidden labor behind choreography-heavy classes * why memorizing nonstop routines lowers your real hourly pay * how the fitness industry normalized instructor burnout * and why the instructors who last long-term build systems instead of reinventing every class Because teaching smarter isn’t laziness.It’s sustainability. If you’ve ever found yourself panic-prepping classes every Sunday night for one hour of pay, this conversation is going to hit hard — and probably feel very familiar. This episode is a real look at instructor burnout, class prep overwhelm, and how to create a more sustainable dance & fitness teaching career. 🔹 Grab your seat for my FREE training, How I Teach 7 Classes Per Week Without Memorizing An Ounce Of Choreography , https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB [https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB] 🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and community? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online (https://sharqui.com/online [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2lDaUF0d29uS3RDamNIRmNMNnplWDhLUWM4QXxBQ3Jtc0tuRlZmZWc2MjFpbTUyeFlfbmNXQXlBa3lwd0ZfRU1DNzhiSXJLVzRZSFJHWGNiSUI3Zk5Wb1pvSU0yZEdOemQ4UnhTUkJSNm9kaVlxeHJ5S0ZLWWU3QlpQejlFZTU0RDNNQXZFMlRabDNHYzJQSzNuVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fonline&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) 🔹 Stop hustling and start filling your classes: sharqui.com/teach (http://sharqui.com/teach [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWhYbFRVX19lSjVnSjQ1UmJtNGIzT0hIdU5VQXxBQ3Jtc0tuZUxmZXlWRy1tTTNZWVZmRkhPYlFhRE82N3dKZDQ1YjdJaVV5aXVYdUVVQ0RuSXd0NGNCM3B5Sl84ckFfWm1mcElrSThKS3ZoUXVwLXg2V2d6a2tKbjBUU3l3bFM3RjE3bUxXR0pXRFVWT2w5cVVoOA&q=http%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fteach&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com [https://oreet.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Your Students Aren't Coming Back (Even If They Like You) | 112

Your students might love your energy, your music, and your class… and still not come back. In this episode, we talk about the real reason student retention struggles in dance and dance fitness classes - and why it’s usually not a personality problem or motivation issue. It’s a confidence issue. I break down what actually keeps students coming back, how inconsistency and over-complication quietly destroy confidence, and why repetition, structure, and clear teaching create stronger retention than constantly changing choreography. If you’re a dance instructor or dance fitness instructor trying to grow your classes and improve retention, this episode will completely shift the way you think about confidence, repetition, and the student experience. Because students don’t return just because they like you.They return because they feel successful. 🔹 Grab your seat for my FREE training, How I Teach 7 Classes Per Week Without Memorizing An Ounce Of Choreography , https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB [https://sharqui.kartra.com/page/SBB] 🔹 Need a boost of joy, sweat, and community? Dance with us in the SharQui Virtual Studio! Get started at sharqui.com/online (https://sharqui.com/online [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2lDaUF0d29uS3RDamNIRmNMNnplWDhLUWM4QXxBQ3Jtc0tuRlZmZWc2MjFpbTUyeFlfbmNXQXlBa3lwd0ZfRU1DNzhiSXJLVzRZSFJHWGNiSUI3Zk5Wb1pvSU0yZEdOemQ4UnhTUkJSNm9kaVlxeHJ5S0ZLWWU3QlpQejlFZTU0RDNNQXZFMlRabDNHYzJQSzNuVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fonline&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) 🔹 Stop hustling and start filling your classes: sharqui.com/teach (http://sharqui.com/teach [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWhYbFRVX19lSjVnSjQ1UmJtNGIzT0hIdU5VQXxBQ3Jtc0tuZUxmZXlWRy1tTTNZWVZmRkhPYlFhRE82N3dKZDQ1YjdJaVV5aXVYdUVVQ0RuSXd0NGNCM3B5Sl84ckFfWm1mcElrSThKS3ZoUXVwLXg2V2d6a2tKbjBUU3l3bFM3RjE3bUxXR0pXRFVWT2w5cVVoOA&q=http%3A%2F%2Fsharqui.com%2Fteach&v=ix8TjMvsORk]) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oreet.substack.com [https://oreet.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]