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Basic Takeaways
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we spoke with Jessie Diaz-Herrera about liberating the body through exercise and the power of creating a positive fitness environment. Read on to learn how Jessie’s heritage informs her work and how she believes culture affects people’s attitudes about fitness. Finally, learn how body liberation and body positivity can empower your clients with plus-size bodies to find joy and empowerment through dance and exercise.
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Jessie Diaz-Herrera is a dancer, group fitness instructor, and body positivity advocate who has dedicated her career to exploring and celebrating all bodies in dance. She is its co-founder and CEO Power Plus Wellnessa Latina-owned business that curates private transportation classes and events for plus-size bodies to move freely, unlearn food culture, and joyfully co-regulate in a safe community.
ACE: Can you tell me a little about the type of work you do as an exercise professional?
Jessie: Yes, of course! My name is Jessie, and I am group fitness instructor and co-founder of Power Plus Wellness, where we curate private wellness events for plus-sized communities to access fitness and healing, without a diet culture. have I’ve been involved in sports and dance my whole life—from studio and stage dancing to softball and rugby-so have he was always active and in a plus-size body. My mission is to show that athletes come in all shapes and sizes and my goal is to help more people fall in love with movement beyond just focusing on looks.
ACE: Your Instagram account (@CurvesWithMoves) is a “body positive site that encourages men and women to love their bodies through dance, affirmations and more.” Why is body positivity so important to you? How do you think it gives your clients a different fitness experience?
Jessie: I’m talking more about body release despite body positivity these days because I believe that in order to truly feel good about our bodies, we need to break free from the idea that they have to conform to societal norms. We know that health is affected by a combination of factors—physical activity, diet—but also mental well-being, sleep, genetics, environmental conditions and access to health care. So instead of focusing on external changes, my mission is to highlight how freeing our bodies can feel when we move in ways that bring us joy.
For example, strength training makes me feel strong, which you might not see on the outside as a plus size trainer. Swimming gives me a sense of peace and playfulness – experiences that bring joy to our body. As plus-size people, we are often subject to shrinkage, especially in gymnasiums, when in reality, we they deserve to take up space and move in ways that feel good. Don’t do it wait with your weight to do the things that bring you joy—do it with the body you have now. Your body deserves a joyful movement.
ACE: Does your heritage inform the work you do? If so, how?
Jessie: I am really proud to be part of a Latina company, with other Latinas in our leadership and team at Power Plus Wellness. In a space where fitness often feels dominated by a certain aesthetic, we are claiming our place. Culture affects fitness by shaping attitudes, beliefs and practices around physical activity. For many latin Folks, dance is woven into the fabric of life. Of a part of it almost every celebration, centered on joy and family. Dancing with my family has given me countless happy memories and of because I continue to dance and teach dance fitness to this day. I build community through dance.
ACE: What lessons have you learned from working with your clients? Do you have any tips or strategies to share with professionals interested in doing similar work?
Jessie: Fitness is for everyone, but not all fitness programs are every body. I do you really believe in modifying and/or finding the right workout for every person. A body-affirming perspective means meeting clients where they are and embracing modifications or alternative movements that feel good to them. Not everyone finds joy in dancing or running on a treadmill, and this is it totally ok Some people light up when they swim or take a leisurely walk in nature or feel strong lifting weights. The most important thing is to create space for people to explore movement in a way that feels joyful and empowering, without the pressure to conform to unrealized standards.
ACE: Finally, there is something else you would you want to emphasize yourself, yourself work or your experience in the fitness industry?
Jessie: I do you really believe the work we do in gymnastics goes beyond movement—of about creating meaningful connections that nurture both physical and mental well-being. A wide range of research shows that positive, supportive relationships are key to improving overall well-being and even longevity. This is it because creating inclusive, welcoming spaces is so important to me.
At Power Plus Wellness, we pride ourselves on cultivating loving, open-minded and non-judgmental environments that are trauma-informed, weight-neutral and the body-strange. We want everyone—no matter their size, shape, or experience—to feel empowered to explore movement and thrive!
If you’re interested in learning more about how to create a more inclusive and friendly size fitness space, consider A place for every body: Tackling weight bias in the fitness industry (worth 0.1 ACE CEC). Will learn from a panel of experts how to communicate with customers of all motivations, goals and body types, as well how to recognize and use correct terminology, tone, exercisesmall and modifillustrations to create more comprehensive programs.
