This week’s Instructor Spotlight is on Southern California rockstar, Maricela! This rockstar instructor teaches multiple formats and has an amazing and inspiring story. Read more about this talented instructor in our interview with her!

Q: What do you do when you’re not teaching?
A: When I am not teaching classes I love spending time with my son and exploring different areas of the city; hiking trails, indoor/outdoor playgrounds, and eating FOOD!

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My hobbies include exploring new things/places. Being adventerous!

Q: What other formats do you teach?
A: I am also a Les Mills instructor and certified for Bodycombat, Bodypump and Cxworx.

Q: Give us a little on your background.
A: When I was in middle school I was declared obese by my doctor. My middle school years were probably the toughest of them all. During the school year I joined a police youth program and we were required to go through vigorous exercises. We were signed up to run marathons and that’s when my love for exercising began! I later joined my local gym and worked out on my own for about two years. It was amazing and all but I started getting unmotivated. I remember looking inside the Group X room and thinking to myself… “Those classes seem easy” …. Boy! Was I wrong! I decided to try my first group fitness class and was hooked. I slowly started transitioning my solo workouts into group fitness workouts. I was ADDICTED! I started with weight training classes then slowly started incorporating some dance and mma inspired classes. I knew I had to find a way to teach these formats. Luckily, the instructor was the group x manager at the time. We talked about how taking group fitness classes has changed my life and made working out exciting! I began my process to get certified to teach. Now I am teaching approx. 15 classes per week, four different formats at the gym I started my journey at and also venturing out to different gym chains in the area.

After a couple years of teaching I remember Shahil Patel demoing BollyX. I thought the class was challenging and fun! Definitely something I had never done, which probably meant muscles I have never worked out. Eeek! I was told a training was coming up and I decided to sign up. I passed and here I am teaching BollyX and enjoying every class! 🙂

Q: How would you describe BollyX in one word?
A: Swaglicious!

Q: What is your favorite part of BollyX class?
A:  My favorite part of class would have to be the final time we do the performance song. When we all come together and finish looking like a real Bollywood rockstars!

Q: How has working with BollyX changed you or your lifestyle?
A: Ever since I became certified for BollyX I have been curious and anxious to learn more about Bollywood. I have watched several Bollywood movies and fallen in love with them! It’s definitely made my life a bit more fun! 🙂

Q: How long have you been with BollyX?
A: I have been with BollyX for about 9 months now. WOW! Time flies by when you are having fun!

Q: What is your favorite BollyX song to teach?
A: There are so many! But if I had to narrow it down to one… I love teaching Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan.

Q: Where do you teach BollyX?
A: I am currently teaching BollyX at Gold’s Gym Downtown LA

Take a class with Maricela!