Teaching Group Fitness: Overcoming Personal Limitations

Teaching group fitness can feel intimidating, especially when you’re carrying personal limitations that seem like obstacles to stepping into that leadership role. It’s easy to look at seasoned instructors and assume they’ve always been confident, flawless, and fearless. But the reality is—many of us have something we’re carrying: a physical challenge, a personal struggle, or an internal voice that whispers “You can’t do this.”

For me, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is being almost completely deaf in my right ear. In an environment that depends so much on music, rhythm, and real-time energy, this felt like a massive barrier. I often worried: What if I can’t hear the beat? What if I miss a cue or lose my timing? But instead of letting that fear stop me, I learned to adapt. I practiced extra, positioned myself where I could visually pick up cues, and—most importantly—I stayed open about my limitation. I found that by sharing it, I connected more deeply with my students, who often had their own fears about fitness, coordination, or being “good enough.”

One of the most memorable moments early on was being invited to teach on PopSugar Fitness—a huge honor at the time. But with cameras, lights, and sound restrictions, the music had to be turned down so low I could barely hear it. For someone who already struggles with hearing, this was terrifying. The production team was incredible, though—they set up a special light strip at the front of the stage so I could visually follow the beat when my ears couldn’t. That moment taught me something I’ll never forget: sometimes, the very thing we think disqualifies us is what makes us stronger, more creative, and more capable. It worked because they asked me back to film again. You can actually watch that PopSugar class here: PopSugar Fitness PlyoJam Workout.

The truth is: we all have something. An old injury, anxiety, body image struggles, or personal setbacks. Those limitations don’t have to be roadblocks—they can be the reason people connect with you, feel safe with you, and keep showing up for themselves. The best instructors aren’t the ones who do everything perfectly—they’re the ones who lead with heart, resilience, and the courage to show up fully, limitations and all.