Kelly Powell
I am a nurse, wife and mother of 3 children. I currently work full time at Muhlenberg College Health Center. I was employed at Sacred Heart Hospital for 27 years in the progressive Coronary Unit. I am Basic and Advanced Life support certified and have 20 years in advanced nursing. I am a CPR instructor, certified R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) instructor and work with the college campus police to instruct self defense classes on campus. I was the 2011 American Heart Association winner of the “Woman of Heart” award in the expert category. I am currently working on my Group Fitness Certification.
I have been a certified Zumba® instructor since June 2009. Since that time I have attended many additional classes and obtained certifications in basic Zumba®, Basic 2, Zumba Gold®, Zumba® Toning, Aqua Zumba® and Zumbatomic®. Zumba® has changed my life in so many ways it is difficult to put in text. Most importantly it has improved my overall health. I have lost 57 lbs, dropped my cholesterol and blood pressure and have a resting heart rate better then my kids!
Kelly before Zumba
I am a very upbeat, funny, motivational person. I have been described by a class member as a cross between Jillian Michaels and Richard Simmons!
I love to be the life of the party and promise to help you let your inner party person come out!! My classes are very upbeat and intense but you come in at any fitness level and go at your own pace.
I try to keep my energy level up to motivate you to dig deep and find a strength and endurance inside you that you never knew you had.
All my energy comes from the success of others…I love to see you reach your fitness goals and improve your own self esteem.
I want you go get in those family pictures and not bury yourself in the back….I want you to walk by that mirror and look in it, really look at the person in the reflection and be proud of who that person is…..so come on out to one of my classes and let me help you get back on the road…..let me help you return to you!
Be Good to Yourself !!
~Kelly
A quick little story…last September, I wanted to add some cardio to my regular weight training regime. Not really looking to lose any more weight cause I thought I was pretty satisfied with the 50 that I lost the two years prior. Well, I saw a little weight coming off, so I decided to try to eat a little bit healthier, again! Then I saw that I could start to jump on one foot with the fear of falling right down! (I told Obe and he just laughs because I constantly fall, just walking!!) So, since I was going regularly to Zumba, I then became an addict! Huh…always making my plans around Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes! Then, I thought I would resolve to lose another 50. Well, as of this writing, I am down 99 lbs. in 3 years. I have gained so much confidence, strength and endurance that I never thought I would. I have walked 2 – 60 mile 3-day’s and 2 5K’s over this past spring. However, the one thing that I absolutely love above all the weight loss, confidence, strength and endurance is the friendships that I have formed! It’s so much more to me than just an exercise! I absolutely love all the new z-peeps in my life. I would walk to and through hell and back for all of you and I know that you would all do the same for me! And that, my friend, is what you have given to me…words will never, ever show my deepest gratitude and indebtedness to Kelly and all the rest of the z-ladies <3
This is beautiful, Beth. I am in awe of all that you’ve done.
in your life — <3 to you!
So happy to be one of the z-peeps
That’s fantastic Beth!!! Such an inspiring story! It’s so awesome when you can keep pushing your goals farther! Congrats on all you have accomplished!! <3
Beth…I am so proud of the changes you have made! You have worked so hard and the hard work has really paid off!! Your whole personality is glowing so much brighter compared to when we first met…I am so happy you found us and that I have gotten to know you better. I have enjoyed coming along on your journey “to YOU”…..and even happier to have become your friend!!
I have been taking your classes for a couple of months now and I just wanted to tell you that you have had a huge impact on my life. I feel so much better, am looking better, and have confidenece in myself that I didn’t have before. I get married next weekend and had to get my dress taken in twice since beginning your classes! Thank you so, so much for making me believe in myself.
Yes Virginia….there is a Santa Clause….and I am hoping you are getting all that you deserve in a partner next weekend!!
Can I tell you I was sitting in my car waiting for my kids when I read the email notification of this post…it makes no matter where I am….what I am doing….my reaction to posts like this is the SAME! I stop…I pause….I swallow the lump and read again….then I smile and my heart sings….and then, as I type my reply, like NOW….a tear fills my eye…..ANOTHER ONE….another one has been saved! Saved from the negativity and self degradation that we impact on ourselves! It just takes a little confidence, a little inhibition, a tiny bit of rhythm and a belief in yourself and BAM….you are on your way!!
I am beyond proud of you….keep moving forward!
Congratulations and Good Luck with your upcoming nuptials!! Please let me know how the added self confidence….inhibitions and hip moves work out for you on the honeymoon!!! hahaha!!!
I am a very bad girl…..I am very bad to get you to be naughty….because it feels good to find your sexy button!!! ZXO!!
I’m glad you mentioned sexy, because that is exactly how I feel and I’ve never thought of myself as sexy before! You are naughty!!! But I’ll make sure to channel my inner Zumba hips on my honeymoon because I am naughty too
Thanks for being so great!
I love this woman! She has the best attitude and truly loves to inspire, motivate and have FUN!
I fell in love with you from HELLO!! From your crazy soft skin…to that big ole heart….you are the best!
I love how honest and simple it is to be in your presence!! We all do what we do…because we love…we love fellow human beings!! ZXO!!
I like your web site! I was lucky the day I met you. I hope I told you this before, I’ll never forget the way you encouraged me during that boot camp.
Ditto on the luck comment….funny how when you meet someone….you just never know how they will surface in your life! This is why I tell my kids to greet and meet EVERYONE like they are going to become you best friend….you just never know. All those pounds ago, doing dips on that wall in the rain with a 10 pound sandbag above our heads….me with my non-stop comic relief….had someone said we would both become Zumba instructors and impact change….we, me at least, would have said….ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I can barely walk up that HILL….THAT FREAKING HILL!!!
Thanks for stopping by Z-Sista!! ZXO!!
Hey Steph…Thank you for stopping by my cyberspace home!!
I am so glad you came out….GOOD FOR YOU!!
Doing the right stuff…..cleaning up your diet, moving your body
makes you feel so good about yourself that you find all the negative
self defeating thoughts in your head being replaced with positive ones….you even view
an early start on the day as a chance to get moving and not all out of
sorts over a GARBAGE TRUCK!!!! See….last week that would have annoyed you!!
Kudos to your friend for thinking enough of you that she reached out to you….to help you get
to the best possible version of yourself!! See you again soon….until then….BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!
My friend just invited me to your class last night. I loved it! And although my muscles feel a bit tired today (the good kind), I feel like I have a ton of energy. (even though the garbage truck woke me and the baby up extra early this morning)