Movement and fitness have been part of my entire life. As a young child, I studied dance. I continued dancing through high school as a member of a competition team. In college I was part of a Modern Tour group. Additionally, I worked out in a gym with a trainer. While in college, I started my own dance company, which I managed for ten years. I taught classes and also lead a competitive group. I graduated from the University of California at Riverside with a Bachelor’s Degree where I received one of two Undergraduate Chancellor Awards for Dance Research Work.

I decided to close the dance business after college when I was given the opportunity to teach high school dance. I taught at the high school level for three years while organizing and directing the school dance team. As the dance program was eliminated from the high school, I made a decision to focus more on my own fitness. I began taking Zumba, Step, Yoga, Body Pump, and Spin classes while continuing to train with a personal trainer. Many peers told me they would follow me instead of the class instructor, and they suggested I should teach. I decided to get certified. Several of my fitness instructors also encouraged me to train to teach.

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After much persuasion and support, I decided to get certified in Zumba and CPR. Immediately after I was certified, I began teaching at numerous locations. I also began losing the weight I gained that took me to a total of over 200 pounds. I secured many teaching jobs at 24 Hour Fitness as well as private gyms and community centers from Brea to Upland. I taught ten or more classes per week for years. After a few months teaching, many of the gym members began asking if I was a trainer. I always smiled and responded, “No”. Class members again told me, “If you were a trainer, I would train with you”.

Approximately a year after teaching and becoming certified in Zumba Toning and Yoga Levels 1 and 2, I took the necessary steps to become a personal trainer. Then I knew what I had to do. I had been teaching dance and fitness classes while helping people in the exercise world since the age of 12. I studied for 11 months to become a trainer and passed the certification test with the first attempt. A short month later, I started working as a full-time trainer and group exercise instructor. Soon I added Strong by Zumba to my list of certifications.

Qualifications

  • B.A. Degree from UCR
  • A.A. Degree from Mt. SAC
  • Certified ACE Personal Trainer
  • Licensed Zumba Instructor & ZIN member
  • Zumba Toning & Strong Certified Instructor
  • Certified Yoga Fit Instructor
  • ACE Kettle Bell Certified
  • SilverSneakers Certified Instructor
  • CPR Certified

POSITION

Owner, Personal Trainer, Instructor

HOMETOWN

Pomona

LANGUAGES

English

EXPERIENCE

20 years

STRESS BUSTER

Bootcamp workout

FUN FACT

Won 2 Chancellor’s Awards

FACEBOOK

@trainwithtalia

INSTAGRAM

@trainwithtalia