As a PR professional I find myself meeting interesting people, attending fantastic events, and finding out about the latest products. As such, I thought I’d share my discoveries with you, my fellow Lexingtonians. What could be a better diversion on hump day then learning something new about a neighbor or discovering a new hot spot or activity? Read on and add a little spice to your day with musings from Jai.

I have to admit; I felt some pressure on what topic I should address for my first few blog posts. What's a blog without a following, right?  And I wanted to impress. So after much thought, I decided to feature someone who inspires me. And I chose Penny Deplacido who teaches Zumba at Lexington Fitness Club. She inspires me for two reasons. One, she has an entrepreneurial spirit which I can appreciate being an entrepreneur myself. And two, the woman can move!

Full disclosure: I have known Penny for over 15 years. We used to teach aerobics classes together at Waverly Oaks in Waltham, back in the day. A few years later I got married, moved and we lost touch. When I retired last year, and started taking classes instead of teaching them, I discovered she was teaching Zumba at Boston Sports Clubs. With an enormous following ... and I  thought I had fans.

What impressed me about her is when she took the plunge an opened her own studio out of Lexington Fitness Club. The corporate ladder, for lack of a better description, for an aerobics instructor, is a short one. Teach or become a group fitness coordinator. I thought her model was genius ... and Zumba a great medium for it. I certainly couldn’t have done it, with dragging steps and pods from one class to the next. 

Since she started at Lexington Fitness Club I haven't missed a class. Well, maybe one or two…I do have a baby that doesn’t always like to sleep, but that’s another topic. And I'll tell you why: She can really get a class going. Having taught for 15 years myself, I know how hard this is to do -- to inspire, encourage and motivate, class after class after class. Penny never disappoints. Her music and her moves keep me going..and all who take her class week after week.

From her fantastic mix of music to her contagious smile, Penny will inspire you to leave your inhibitions at the door, forget your troubles (at least for an hour) and show you moves so you dance your heart out!

Oh, and in case you have no idea what I am talking about, Zumba Fitness^® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party" that is downright addictive.

Come join the party. Appropriate for all fitness levels. For more information, check out her website.