Everyone's a Superstar: Marissa Klein and Her Journey with Groove

Episode 21.  Join us in this uplifting episode as we sit down with Marissa Klein, a passionate advocate for Groove, the dance movement that celebrates being unique and united. Marissa shares her love for Groove, highlighting how the practice allows her to express her unique self while fostering a sense of belonging within the vibrant Groove community. Tune in to discover the joy, freedom, and community spirit that dance can bring, as Marissa takes us on a rhythmic journey through the transformative power of Groove.

Links:
BodyGroove
World Groove Movement

Contact me at happysweatlife@gmail.com for questions, suggestions, or to be put on the email list and be notified of new episodes.

Find my World Groove movement zoom class on Thursdays, under my name,  at: https://theworldgroovemovement.com/virtual-search/

If you're interested in starting a podcast of your own, consider joining the SPI Community.  The All Access Pass, in particular, has a step by step course for starting a podcast which absolutely was key for creating and launching my podcast.  And equally important, I  made connections with other fellow entrepreneurs/podcasters.  If you do sign up through my affiliate link, I will receive a commission fee.  

Transcript

Lisa 0:10

Welcome to the Happy Sweat Life Podcast. My name is Lisa Rung, and I should have checked with you, Marissa, how you pronounce your last name.

Marissa 0:19

Oh, Klein. K I N. Okay.

Lisa 0:22

That's easy enough. Yeah. welcome. I'm very happy to have you on

Marissa 0:25

The podcast oh, thank you. I'm very happy to be here.

Lisa 0:29

I am so excited to have Marissa on the podcast today. I don't know that you will find a bigger cheerleader for groove than Marissa is. If you're ever on the Body Groove Facebook page you will see videos that Marissa has posted regularly of her doing groove and she does that really to encourage others to explore and have fun with groove. She also regularly calls out facilitators on the Body Groove app that she admires. She has fun little nicknames for all of them. And she also is regularly posting about, um, Facilitators who teach zoom classes that she's enjoying so she's very supportive and very quick to compliment people And she just has a wonderful upbeat Personality and so I think this will be a very fun conversation With Marissa and why she loves Groove so much and what it does for her in her life On a personal note, Marissa was telling me that she became certified to be a preschool teacher, but unfortunately her son was born with some medical issues, so she chose to stay at home with him and to care for him and advocate for him, and that she 18 year old. You will see a theme as Marissa talks about her journey of being just an incredible cheerleader for other people, and I really admire that about her So welcome Marissa

Marissa 2:10

So

Lisa 2:12

Did you have dance when you were growing up?

Marissa 2:16

I did ballet in kindergarten. All I remember is a picture that I found of me and a leotard. That, that's it. But I also go to the clubs, you know, on 18, Jim Marie's and free, freestyle dancing, but not like classic or that classes. I wasn't very like active. Cause I felt like Being active is competitive and people would judge you, so I was very reserved, very reserved in not doing myself because I wasn't this confident as you see me in the videos that I post or in the Zoom class of, you know, just was very shy and just wanted to do things but just was afraid that people would judge me or look at me, so I really didn't.

Lisa 3:13

I think that's an experience that's pretty, pretty common.

Marissa 3:19

Yeah, can you kind of

Lisa 3:20

talk about how you found Groove and what your experience with exercise, if anying was?

Marissa 3:26

Well, I started with Leslie Sansone, Walk Away the Pounds, and I loved her upbeat personality and I could keep up with the steps and I was doing her for like ever. Even, you know, and then I did Richard Simmons because I just loved the music to the oldies. I was doing him, and I could keep up with him, and I saw people, you know, like me. They weren't like photoshopped images of people. They were just normal people doing dance, and I could keep up with the aerobics. I've done acrocyze. In the pool, cause I fit in with the, with the ladies, cause they were older than me. So I didn't feel intimidated. And then all of a sudden, Misty's Delicious Dance comes on my Facebook page. And I was like, they're going in their separate directions, all over the place. What is this? And it intrigued me, so I bought a DVD and I loved it. And then I just kept buying the DVDs. And, you know, I did it on my own in the house, and for a while I wasn't that great at it, but I just kept up at it, and then, then, I kept doing it, and then all of a sudden, I decided, oh, let me videotape myself, because I see people doing it, and it's a comfortable space to like, Put yourself out there because everyone is so warm and welcoming. So I videotaped myself and the response that I got from it was amazing inspiration, so I just videotaped myself every time I, I groove now to help other people find the love of grooving because I feel this program is so unique. Because not like everyone else, any other program, you're a superstar of your own moves. You, you own the show. And that's what I love about it. There's no competition. No one's trying to be better than someone else. You're just being your own personal self. And if you just let the music take you, the joy will just pour out. And that's my journey with getting into groove. I did

Lisa 5:48

notice on the body group Facebook page when I was typing in your name, like you're the top contributor. And I love all your videos. Oh, thank you. That's so great of you to do. And I also really love how you compliment each of the facilitators, you know, whether it's one of the master teachers or one of us common. Facilitators, I mean that's really

Marissa 6:17

nice of you. I just feel everyone should be kind. There's no one wearing a Wearing a crown. We all we all shine in our own light and I feel like they deserve to be recognized Hmm And they all come with unique personalities. I mean, I love Karin she has her own neat personality. I've tried Carissa for the first time and absolutely loved her. Oh, neat! And I've done Linda on Zoom and on the beach. I got to in live person with her. Nice. And I've done Johnnie was my inspiration, like. Because as many people say, when they first start out with Heather, It was so much, I was just like, oh my god, you know, I wasn't enjoying her first on the WODs. But now, I love Heather. She's like, I call her my ray of sunshine. Because she just lights up and glows. But Johnny Anderson was the one that kept my eye. You're not really supposed to look at the people, because you're supposed to feel and do your own way. But every once in a while, in the corner of your eye. You spot, you spot someone and then there's Johnny doing Heather and I was like, if she could do it, then I should be, you know, be able to do it. So I just kept doing it and modifying and just kept at it. I didn't quit because, you know, if you quit, then you don't get anywhere. You just have to keep going and eventually you'll get it in some way. Did you try other I've done Zumba. I've tried Zumba. I've tried the, the treadmill, but I felt like I wasn't going anywhere with the treadmill. I've joined the gym, you know, with the thing, but if I'm not happy with it, you're not going to stick with it. That's so true.

Lisa 8:15

So do you find it pretty easy to stick with?

Marissa 8:18

Groove. Yes. And if I can't, there's you meditate. I haven't tried yoga, Pilates, cause it's, Misty makes you feel like free to like do it and feel like you're not doing it wrong so you feel like you can try.

Lisa 8:34

Yeah, I think that's such an important part of Groove, that message that you can't get it wrong.

Marissa 8:40

Yeah, and you're unique and yeah, you can't get it wrong is what I love about it.

Lisa 8:48

I think you had written in a post. On Facebook, that you were bullied as a child and kind of a rule follower.

Marissa 8:58

Yeah, well, I'm a rule follower. I still am. It's just how I am. And I was bullied as a child, as a, as a kid. You know, people just didn't take my unique personality. And it wasn't, you know, you gotta find your tribe. And kids at that time can be You know, cruel, and then I went to college and found people, you know. So just try to find some advocate to, like, cling to and talk to, and, cause things will work out. I mean, I had a favorite teacher, Mrs. Greengrass, who helped me through it. And I've learned, and as you get older, you get more comfortable. Sure. And, I think. I think Body Groove has really helped relax me and get me out of my comfort zone, because never in a million years I would go to a public restaurant and dance like belly dancing for the whole rest of it. Yeah. Oh my goodness. It was a rest of Marrakesh restaurant, and my friends, we all go eat, and There you can interact with the dancer and I got up first. I got up and all my friends and dance and did like belly dancing this and the whole restaurant was like cheering and clapping. It was like last year. I think it was so much fun. That's fantastic. Yeah.

Lisa 10:29

Yeah, I think when I look at your video, I really see the joy you have doing it. And the playfulness, because you're always dressing up,

Marissa 10:39

putting on lights. I guess this is the preschool teacher that I never, like, I got my license and, you know, and through it, but I couldn't, couldn't do it. I had two kids. I only talked about my son in the beginning, but I do have a daughter who's 18 in college and she's going to be a teacher. She's got inspired by, by me. But I think that's where it comes out. I like the more playful songs and the tribal songs. So you can really, really get into it and get, you make expressive. The HITs, not so much, but you gotta do it cause, you know, happy heart, happy life, so.

Lisa 11:29

So you mentioned a few, can you talk more?

Marissa 11:36

I think the confidence and the glow and the people and the friends you got and you feel like a community and you feel like you're part of something. Like growing up I never felt like I was part of something and here everyone is so welcoming. From you could be a beginner to the expert like Danny and Heather and Missy they're just It's so welcoming, and like a family, and they interact with you. I've never seen a program like that where they, they interact with you and want, want you to be happy and joyous, and.

Lisa 12:13

It is unusual. And it seems to, like if anybody is negative, they kind of shut them

Marissa 12:20

down. Yeah. I'm not like a never negative like person ever was. I don't like the negatives. I just. Put a smile on my face and be happy. I mean, I do stress. Don't think I'm this happy all the time. And all put together, you see me in the groove videos, you know, I'm not, but I just don't like to outwards, you know, outward show it. So, I just put on a happy smile and try to lift people up. The world needs people to be lifted up, so you'll never see me put someone down. I'm always lifting them up. I

Lisa 13:00

loved, I think you wrote one, one of your Facebook posts that, that you always felt beautiful and beauty comes from, the size of your kind heart and how you treat

Marissa 13:12

people. Yeah, that's me. I put that. You know, I've never felt like was. Well, I'm trying to lose weight, you know, do weight watches and groove, like, you know, 2. 30. But I've never felt like, I never felt big, like people look at themselves and they, they feel ashamed. I'm not, I'm only trying to be healthy and lose weight because of health, so I can live a long, like a long life, not because I feel like I'm not, you know, beautiful. Because outward looks don't, you can be a beautiful person and be so rude on the inside that it makes you an ugly, ugly person. So

Lisa 13:54

true.

Marissa 13:55

Yes. That's, so I'm always, you know, happy. That shows. Yeah. Definitely. And I also credit Body Group for helping me. I've had a hard time this year because my dear mom, she Passed away. Oh, I'm so sorry. Yeah, and I Think body groove helped me not to grieve so much. You never get over grieving but I think it just helped me not stick in that funk of like a whole being on a whole year of like grieving just a few months and And I thought stepping away from body groove. I would lose it But I just got right back into it once you get back in and that's muscle memory and that's the perfect thing with this this particular program Because other programs if you step away, you're gonna have a hard time getting back With body groove, you could just jump in you can be two months three months out of it and come back in like you never left. Yeah, that's amazing.

Lisa 15:02

Did you feel like dancing was a way to kind of get out of your head while you were,

Marissa 15:07

grieving? It does because it, music brings you to another point, like another state in life, like reading a book, you just transport into it. You just have to feel the music and let it take you. Whether it's a sad song or a happy song and just let it feel and let it get out because you can't bottle in emotions because that's not good for you. Good for you either, because health it also causes problems. So I feel like dancing gets me to like do that. So

Lisa 15:43

is that what you mean when you say that. I feel like you felt like you went through the grieving process

Marissa 15:48

faster. I did, because I was dancing and processing and also had a good support system, you know, to my friends and body groove community. You know, you just need that support system and that's, they said take your time, you'll come back. And, you know, I've always looked at the online app when I was grieving, I never really stepped away from it because. I've checked other people's posts and commented on their posts, so you don't really step away when social media, so it's so easy to just connect still. Right,

Lisa 16:26

and I think that's one thing I noticed too is how much you comment on other people's posts and provide them with support and encouragement.

Marissa 16:37

Yeah, because I'm hoping, as I said, if I need the encouragement and help, I'm hoping someone would give me the help and encouragement, so you just have to pass it along. You just keep passing it along, and that's how you make a tribe and a community, not, you know, you might be unique on the dance, but we're all connected. I mean, we're all one family, one group family. Which I think is the

Lisa 17:04

Well, motto of groove. Unique. Unique but connected.

Marissa 17:08

Yeah,

Lisa 17:09

Is there anything that was challenging

Marissa 17:11

for you with doing groove or starting groove? Oh, the blur. You mean the blurby? The Blurby. I'm not really that, that I told you that active, so it was hard to do, but I modified it. I did it on the couch. I did it on the couch, and I watched Johnny. And, you know, Heather's hits, they were, like, very challenged, so every time they came out on the WODs I would cringe. I think you've heard that, everyone, I would cringe. I was like, I was like, oh, what is she doing to me? But I just kept at it and just modified and, you know, I first started, you know, people say only, they look down at them and they say, I couldn't do five minutes, I can only do ten. Well, five is better than nothing. And when I first done it, I can only do like maybe 15, and then I moved up to 30, and now I'm doing hour grooves, like maybe 3 or 4 times a week. Wow. Cause I did Johnny's class yesterday, tonight I'm hopping into Karen's cla Karen's class. So it's just baby steps, I say baby steps leads to bigger steps. And you shouldn't knock that. You only could do five minutes today, but maybe tomorrow you can do 10. Just keep adding on. And that's how I kept going. and body groove is that easy.'cause it's not like you're getting it wrong. It's not like you are following the leader that if they're on one step and you're on the other, you can just go at your own pace and grow. At your own pace, just like life, no one's. No one's growing at the same pace, you know, it's okay to grow slower than someone else. We'll all get to our destinations, our destination, when we can. That's

Lisa 19:00

great advice. Was there one groove truth that resonated

Marissa 19:05

with you? I guess you can't get it wrong because it's your way. It's like you, you know, you do it your way. Your way is perfect. Your way is best enough, no one's being like you, you're unique, I mean there's only one of you unless you're a twin, and even, and even then you're unique personalities too. So I feel like we're just unique so you do it your own way really, like it. And also no one cares what you look like, I needed that, cause that got me cause that's Back to my childhood, I've always cared what other people thought to me. That's why I never stepped outta my comfort zone and done things like get up and dance in a public restaurant. Or even think in a million years I would be on your like podcast talk. Can you so It just body groove really helped with that confidence level.

Lisa 20:06

it is amazing that something like dance can, Help you with

Marissa 20:11

that. I think dance and also body groove, because it's the way the program is structured, because you can have all these dance, because I've heard about, I've, you know, I've listened to a lot of your guest speakers on all the different types of dances, and it's good if it makes, if it makes them, could work for them, but for me, I feel to be free in making my own moves and my own steps that. For me, it's my own. I'm not, like, trying to copy someone else and feel like I have to be like them. It's mine. It's my authentic being. It's, like, my creation. From, from them telling me to tap out, you know, up and down, can you go backwards? You know, being led by a facilitator, but you're still making your own. Right.

Lisa 21:03

Right. It's not an instructor. Yeah. It's a facilitator.

Marissa 21:06

Yeah. Or even if Dani, the you know, the master trainers, still, even though they've done it a long time, you still don't feel like you're, you can't do it because you're making it your own. And they keep saying you can't get it wrong. You only could get it wrong if you don't get up and try, and you're just sitting on the couch, because no one's going to do it for you, as Misty would, like, say, Right.

Lisa 21:35

so how long have you been doing

Marissa 21:36

Groove? I started Groove, during COVID, I found it, and I did it. Not religiously as I was now. I've done it some because that before and then I did and then I went to like videotaping myself. So now I try to videotape myself because when I don't, the people are saying, we missed your videos. You're such an inspiration. See, that's my contribution. I, love all your trainers and facilitators. It's just not something that. I want to do. I thought about it, but I just felt like if I have to put my own like playlist together and do that, to me it's more work and not enjoyment. So I'd rather do it, join in and jump into other people's classes, and you know, I'm not knocking anyone that wants to be a facilitator. If it works for you, go do it, and I'll join your class and support you, but for me, I'd rather just put myself out on the videotapes and show that An ordinary person like myself, like them, can do it. I'm not a trainer. I'm not, I'm just doing it and to inspire and everyone just loves my videos, so it's my way of helping other people feel the love that I have for a Groove and show them that they can do it.

Lisa 23:03

It definitely shows in your videos and in the comments people make that they feel inspired

Marissa 23:08

by your what you're doing so I try to go on to many different facilitators because they all come with their own personality and their own music style and they just, it's just so much fun seeing what they come up with. And I've known, you know, I supported Karen through her facilitator. I met her when she was just not a facilitator and I was like her biggest cheerleader. And I said, Oh, you know, and she goes, Will you come to my class? Yes, I was the first one in her practicum.

Lisa 23:43

That's wonderful. I'm sure she really appreciates it. Yeah.

Marissa 23:48

It's just, and Linda, you know, I've done Heather's. I've done them all. Like if Garnett had one, I would jump on his, but he doesn't have one.

Lisa 23:57

Thank you to everyone that has listened and subscribed to the Happy Sweat Life podcast, and a special thanks to the supporters of my show through Buzzsprout. That includes my sister Margaret, who was featured on episode five. If you're looking for a funny episode, that's a great one to listen to. To both my mom and my dad, and to a dear friend Kathleen, I really appreciate your support. And now back to the interview. did the reasons for doing Groove change over the years?

Marissa 24:32

No, I'd say the same. I do because I enjoy and you have to, you still have to find something to work out for health reasons and stuff. And as I said, if I'm gonna sweat, I better do something that makes me happy because, you know, I've tried the, Treadmill and I just felt it was good and I've tried the stationary bike listening to music I just felt I wasn't going anywhere. You're not going anywhere. You're just there and I did the trainer which I kept it up until kovat hip because You know, I'm not good at weights. I know, you know, unless I'm five pounds, but if it's a weight machine I'm not comfortable because I don't want to hurt my body. So I would just go to the gym and have my personal trainer Renee Now teach me the machines and it, you know, wasn't that fun and joy, but I love talking to Renee, that the person. So every Sunday there'd be something to do and I would talk to her and still work, get muscles and, you know, work out. But then COVID hit and I didn't stop going to the gym. And then I just religiously have done body groove and I look forward to all the new workouts that come. I like the more playful ones because it brings out my playful personality, but there's not a group I won't do or try because you feel comfortable and you feel comfortable, like, stand out because you fit in. Like, you know, we're born to stand out, not fit in, and that's what some of these other programs are. Choreograph, you're fitting in. You're not really standing out.

Lisa 26:16

Yeah, I think what I was thinking about before is when you were sort of appreciating all the different facilitators and what they have to offer, is I remember reading somebody saying, I'm only watching Misty. I'm only doing her workouts. Oh my gosh, you're missing so many wonderful other facilitators.

Marissa 26:40

Well, someone said they don't like Heather and they won't do her and I said, I wrote, I said, well, at first you might not like her, but the 15 minute ones are fun. They're not hits. Just stay away from the hits if that's not your cup of tea. Just, Heather's just so sparkly and so fun. I mean, her 15 minute ones rock. Her rockability one, her jazz one, all these, you know. I know when I was

Lisa 27:11

doing the facilitator training. I would always love her songs. Like, that would be what I want to do.

Marissa 27:18

Yeah, at first you gravitate to Misty because it's, she began it and she's the one that started and it just comes on, but after a while, and then you get Miranda with her towel hits. I love her towel. Her towel runs and Those are fun. Yeah. And then Garnet. Everyone needs his therapeutic, you know, because everyone's in Because it's like you're a static stretching, you know, like you talked about. Garnett does it. He targets different points in that you need to trigger, so I like that. I call him the Body Medicine Man. I have nicknames for all, like, all of them. Dancing Queen Misty, Ray of Sunshine Heather, Fun and Bubbly Miranda.

Lisa 28:10

That's great.

Marissa 28:11

I love it. Yeah. Yeah, I was going to say, I think you said

Lisa 28:18

something about wood or which some people may not know, but it's the workout of the day. So when did you doing the DVDs to

Marissa 28:31

doing the streaming? Well, at first I just kept buying all the DVDs. I have all the workouts on DVC that they made Just in case the and then I just said why am I doing this? I'm paying all this money for DVDs I might as well just join the on demand and I'm happy I did because you get more from being on The app then from a DVD because they just keep adding and adding Met it I've done 12 weeks of elevate your fitness and loved it I've learned so much and took notes as Heather was doing her, that and then the meditation and then, you know, Pilates and yoga. I would never think of doing Pilates or yoga, but I said, it's on body group, let me give it a try. And I like it. You can't get it wrong. And there's always someone modifying, like beautiful Stephanie in the background. And then Belle, Belle fits my, Belle Martin, she fits my personality. I just love Belle Martin, I'm so happy I took her live class last Wednesday. and Johnny Anderson is just as beautiful and soulful as she is in the pre recorded as she is on Zoom because that woman is just sparkly and inspirational.

Lisa 29:53

Well, she's agreed to be interviewed in the new year.

Marissa 29:57

Oh, that's good. I'll listen. I'll listen to her interview. She's good. And, you know, I discovered you through Karen. See, Karen's a connect. She connects everyone. I'm just loving your podcast. I'm learning so much from it. Oh, that's

Lisa 30:14

great. Thank you for saying that. Do you have any advice for for people who might be interested in trying

Marissa 30:22

groove. I just say get up and do it and try. You can't get it wrong and just let the music take you, take you on a journey and let you feel the passion of the dance because you make it your, you make it your own. I would, you know, try because it's a very unique person where you're a superstar, I'm a superstar, everyone's a superstar because you own your own moves. So why not give it a, like, a try? Because you'll get, you'll get hooked from the first, like, dance. Because it's just, everyone's so warming, and so you'll never find a community like Body Groove. That's so true.

Lisa 31:05

Well, thank you very much for spending the time

Marissa 31:08

talking to me. Oh, no. I was happy to talk to you. Great. Yeah.

Lisa 31:14

Anything you would like to You know, say parting

Marissa 31:18

words. No, just put your feet in your step and get out on that dance floor. That's my parting words. Cause it's like a big party. When you let yourself loose. When you let yourself free. Set yourself free. And you'll just enjoy it. Well, that's perfect, Marisa. Yeah. Thank you very much. Oh, no, thank you. I enjoyed it. Good. Okay. I will see you soon.

Lisa 32:00

Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoyed that interview with Marissa Klein. If you do have any questions or comments or would like to talk about being on the show, please feel free to email me at happysweatlife at gmail. com. I look forward to bringing you another episode next week.