It’s funny how sometimes the most unexpected moments lead us back to ourselves. I wasn’t searching for a fitness routine, a dance crew, or a life reset—but life had other plans. What started as a health scare turned into a journey back to joy, energy, and self-love. If you’ve ever struggled to find your groove or felt disconnected from your body, this one’s for you.

I’ve never been a runner. It’s just not my thing. But back in the day, I used to love going to 24 Hour Fitness for their hip hop dance classes. That was my happy place—the music, the energy, the feeling of letting loose. It never felt like a workout. It felt like freedom. Like fun. Like me. But life got busy, and I slowly drifted away from that rhythm. I always missed it, though—that kind of movement that makes your heart race and your spirit lift.

Then the pandemic hit. The world slowed down, and I found myself at home, mentally and physically drained. But more than that, I got a serious wake-up call. I ended up in the ER with chest pains, blurry vision, and hypotension. Turns out I was severely dehydrated. That scare shook me. I knew I had to start showing up for my health—not just for myself, but for my family, too.

I started small. I paid attention to my water intake, made gentle changes to my diet, and began walking daily. I aimed for 10,000 steps a day and slowly eased into moving again. Then one day, I stumbled across TML Crew on YouTube, led by Kramer Pastrana—and that’s when everything started to change.

His Zumba routines were full of energy, rhythm, and joy. And most importantly, they were fun. I started dancing every day—sometimes for an hour, sometimes for an hour and a half. What started as a simple way to get moving turned into something I genuinely looked forward to. I wasn’t just working out; I was reconnecting with myself.

Kramer and the TML Crew have this way of drawing you in—their energy is magnetic. Whether it’s hip hop, reggaeton, or even a BTS remix (yes, I get extra hype for those), I find myself smiling, sweating, and feeling more alive every time I press play. It brought back that old spark I missed so much from my dance class days.

This journey reminded me that wellness doesn’t have to look like boot camps or long-distance runs—especially if that’s not your thing. It can be dancing in your living room, one beat at a time. It can be drinking your water, taking those walks, and choosing joy over pressure. You don’t have to chase perfection—just find what moves you and let it bring you back to life.

So if you’re feeling stuck, tired, or just unsure of where to begin—start small. Start where you are. You never know what routine might spark your joy or what moment might become your turning point.