We were lucky to catch up with Monica Landois recently and have shared our conversation below.
Monica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I stumbled across group fitness in my early 20’s and fell in love attending my first class. The community and moving in sync with others created an emotional response for me that forever impacted my life. I quickly jumped on the bandwagon to teach Zumba at first until I started to craft my own dance fitness formula. I began to notice each class growing and becoming a dance family that helped one another. This evolution created a community of people who enjoyed movement together and networking. My mission is to empower people through movement and build community in a safe environment for all.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Meet Monica Landois, a Mompreneneur of two boys who inspires others to live passionately and find a fun way to move their bodies. She has been leading unique group fitness classes in Austin for over 13 years. Her fitness classes are designed to uplift you in a positive community that leaves you wanting more. She is passionate about helping others build confidence through dance and movement. It’s an extremely powerful experience that changes people’s lives all around. She facilitates a healing space through movement that empowers you. Monica is the creator of all her dance fitness routines and choreographies. She programs all her fitness classes in her own distinctive way. You have a fun experience in each class she teaches. Her class experience has expanded to activations at Women’s Conferences, Networking Events, Workshops, Corporate Wellness, unique Co-Working Partnerships. and Collaborations with Business’s.
Monica is an Austinite and first generation here as her family originates from Monterrey, Mexico. She is bilingual and didn’t learn English until grade school. This was a challenge for her growing up. She loves encouraging others from different cultural backgrounds to create space for themselves confidently.
Monica is a true jack of all trades when it comes to Dance, Fitness, and Empowering others. She can adapt her creative work for anything or use her journey building her business to inspire. Her journey involves single motherhood and dealing with consistent change. Learning to surrender has been at the forefront of her success building her community that fuels her Business.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2020, I faced incredible challenges and changes that taught me a valuable lesson: the ground can shift beneath our feet at any moment. I had just started my business model of renting space and scaling my classes when the pandemic hit, causing me to quickly pivot to a virtual format. Despite the difficulty of the situation, I rose to the challenge and discovered a new way to offer my services and connect with my community.
I learned to bring my energy and experience to the virtual world, providing much-needed value to those seeking connection and community during a time of isolation. Through this experience, I came to truly value my community and their support, which has continued to grow even as we navigate ongoing challenges.
Thanks to the virtual format, I now have the ability to serve people anywhere and easily stream any class to my community. This experience has empowered me to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity, and has taught me the importance of finding creative solutions and offering meaningful value to those around me
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2020, I faced unprecedented challenges as an entrepreneur, but I refused to let the pandemic stop me from pursuing my passions and serving my community. Despite the constant changes and uncertainties, I never gave up on my business, and instead learned to navigate and adapt to new circumstances with grace and resilience.
From starting virtually, to shifting outdoors and finally balancing indoor classes with masks and spacing requirements, I embraced the need to be flexible and open-minded in the face of unprecedented challenges. Through it all, I never lost sight of my goals and continued to find new ways to create multiple streams of income and offer options that catered to everyone.
The journey wasn’t easy, but I emerged from 2020 stronger, more adaptable, and more determined than ever to succeed. I am proud of the business I’ve built, and grateful for the valuable lessons and experiences that have prepared me for whatever the future may hold. My resilience and ability to pivot in the face of adversity are a testament to the power of determination and the limitless potential of the human spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.monicalandois.com
- Instagram: @dancewithmonicaatx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanceWithMonicaAtx/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-landois-0aa09b32/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dancewithmonicaatx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dance-with-monica-atx-austin
Image Credits
Kevin Garner Photography