We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kiki Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kiki below.

Hi Kiki, thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

My first fitness job was through Health Commons with the help of my mentor/friend Rhonda. She is one of reasons I became a Fitness Instructor.

I had been practicing a dance workout routine to Chris Brown- Turn Up the Music for weeks! I had to make sure it was good enough to bring to Rhonda’s attention because when she teaches her energy is always Top Tier, so I wanted to make sure I did a great job.

I was so nervous to ask her if I could present it to her class, but she was so sweet and agreed. I almost backed out at the last minute, but she was so encouraging that I didn’t want to let her down. The room was packed, and all eyes were me. It was time to make it happen. After I completed my set the energy and the amazing feedback I received from Rhonda and the group of ladies had me on cloud 9. I knew this is something I wanted to do forever or at least until my body would allow. I felt like I finally found my purpose.

Fast forwarded some months later I received my certificate to become a Zumba Instructor and Rhonda helped me get my very own class. Being on my own was scary at first but once it happened, I got offered another opportunity to teach another class with The Zen Bin and we’ve been rocking and rolling for 6 years now and I get offers to teach throughout Minneapolis.

I’m so thankful for the women that inspired to get to the place I am currently in. Thank you, Rhonda, Tammie, and Sierra.

Kiki, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A good friend of mine, Dajovan, encouraged me to take some free classes in North Minneapolis to get my body moving and to shed the pounds. I started going to Tammie Richardson and Rhonda Whitaker fitness classes Monday Through Friday and lost over 60lbs. Attending their classes made me find my passion for fitness. It inspired me to begin teaching Hip-Hop Cardio Dance Fitness on my own. Now I teach and collaborate with many organizations surrounding the Twin Cities. My classes are upbeat and super fun. I like to call it a safe space for women to let go and move their bodies  freely.

What sets me apart from others is that there aren’t many fitness instructors in my community that look like me. Im not the typical body type to promote health and fitness. But I not only focus on fitness, I encourage self-love and self-care. My goal is to have women in all walks of life tap into their “Inner Beyonce”. To be bold and to  feel liberated to move their bodies freely without judgement.

When you feel good on the inside it shows on the outside. We can be our own worse critics so I teach my ladies to never let their mind bully their bodies. EveryBODY is beautiful.

My mission is to embrace health and wellness through dance and to create a space where daily acts of self-love and care are a regular part of everyday life.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Honestly, always showing up as my authentic self in every room or event I attend. I am always just Kiki Jones. Also, marketing myself more via social media and connecting with people and organizations within my community.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Saying yes to every opportunity is definitely  something I am still in the process of unlearning. I would accept every fitness event that came my way. No matter where the event was or who the organization was with, I was there. I’ll  admit it got me through a lot of doors in the beginning and I was able to get my name out there and connect with a lot of people but it was also becoming too much on my body.

I would work 40+ hours, teach 3 or 4 classes a week and still accept offers to host events. I wasn’t taking proper care of my wellbeing.

But now I understand that timing and alignment matters, and that the opportunities meant for me will be. I now honor the times I need to rest, without me sacrificing my sleep, and time with my family and friends.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: iamkikijones
• Facebook: Kiki Jones
• Youtube: Not2Thick2BeFit

Image Credits
Maya Clark and Craig Henry