We recently connected with Sam Schmidt and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking risks is often seen as stepping into the unknown, but for me, it was about following my heart, trusting my instincts, and making bold decisions that ultimately shaped my future. Looking back, the biggest and most life-changing risk I took was transitioning from a collegiate soccer player to becoming a Jazzercise instructor and eventually owning a Jazzercise studio. The journey has been a whirlwind of challenges, growth, and unexpected opportunities, but every step was necessary for me to arrive where I am today.

As a former collegiate soccer player, I was used to being physically fit and pushing my limits, but I never imagined that I would one day be standing in front of a class as an instructor. The transition from athlete to instructor was a major shift, but one I was determined to make. I started out by simply teaching classes, but it quickly became clear that I was becoming not only an instructor but also a leader on the fitness stage. In fact, I became the fittest on my soccer team just by teaching Jazzercise! The commitment, discipline, and physicality of teaching classes pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of.

While I had the option to stick to a more traditional path after completing my degree, I felt a pull towards something more personal. I had applied and interviewed for a credential program, but I chose to turn down that conventional route and instead follow my passion. I set my own goals—goals that were in alignment with my love for fitness and my desire to teach, mentor, and ultimately own a business. The risk of not pursuing a “safe” career was daunting, but it felt like the only path that made sense to me.

Instead of diving straight into a full-time job, I decided to take on part-time work to give myself more flexibility while I explored deeper involvement in the Jazzercise community. I worked closely with my Jazzercise mentor as her administrative assistant, where I learned the ins and outs of the business side of Jazzercise. This was a game changer—it gave me valuable insight into what goes into running a fitness business, and it opened doors to many future opportunities.

As I continued to deepen my involvement with Jazzercise, things started to snowball in a direction I hadn’t anticipated. I received invitations to model for Jazzercise Apparel, which led to more exposure and networking within the industry. Eventually, I was invited to teach at the corporate studios. These opportunities pushed me further out of my comfort zone, but they also validated my decision to follow my passion.

When the pandemic hit, everything came to a standstill. But rather than waiting for things to return to normal, I took the opportunity to put in extra work with my mentor to ensure her three Jazzercise locations survived. It was an incredibly challenging time, but the experience of managing these locations during a global crisis gave me invaluable insight into what it takes to be a business owner. I learned the importance of adapting quickly and staying connected to clients and employees during uncertain times.

During the pandemic, I took everything I had learned and applied it to secure a full-time job at the Jazzercise corporate office. This was an anticipated twist in my journey, and it allowed me to gain even more experience in the corporate side of the business. I was still working toward my ultimate goal of studio ownership, but my role at corporate deepened my understanding of what it takes to make a business thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

As I continued to work at the corporate level, I stayed focused on my long-term goal of becoming a Jazzercise studio owner. When the opportunity to take over my own location finally came, it felt like the stars had aligned. It was the perfect time, and I was ready. I had accumulated years of experience and knowledge, not just in teaching but in running and managing a Jazzercise business.

Owning my own studio came with a huge responsibility. I was taking over the first-ever franchised Jazzercise location, which was a daunting task. But with the support of my mentor and everything I had learned along the way, I felt prepared for the challenge. In my first few months, I made the bold decision to move the location—a risk that paid off in the long run as it better suited our growing community.

Looking back, every decision I made along the way—whether it was stepping onto the stage as an instructor, choosing not to follow the conventional career path, or moving the studio to a new location—was a risk that changed my life in ways I never could have predicted. Each risk brought growth, new opportunities, and deeper connections with my community and business. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The biggest risk of all was simply trusting myself and taking the leap, and it has paid off more than I could have imagined.

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?

My name is Sam Schmidt, and I’m an Instructor, a Support Specialist, a Jazzercise On Demand FitPro, and a Studio Owner with Jazzercise, Inc. Jazzercise is the original dance party workout, and we have been around for 55 years and counting. My best friend convinced me to go to a class in 2012, and the rest is history. I’ve been teaching Jazzercise since 2013, working in the Corporate Office since 2021, teaching Jazzercise on Demand classes since January 2024, and my most recent title of Studio Owner came in July 2024.

Finding Jazzercise in college opened doors that I didn’t even know existed at the time. I was an athlete just working to earn my degree to become a teacher, but once I certified as a Jazzercise instructor, my passion shifted, and I knew my long-term goals were to work at the Jazzercise Corporate Office and to be a Studio Owner. I knew that I had found something special with Jazzercise, and I wanted to continue to grow with the program.

While any and all Jazzercise classes are an amazing workout, I’d say the thing that sets us apart from other fitness programs is our community. Whether you have been with Jazzercise for several years or just a few months, you are in a community that supports one another both in and out of the studio. You build those friendships that last a lifetime and everyone becomes your family.

As the Jazzercise Vista Studio Owner, I am proud to continue the legacy of Jazzercise in Vista. Jazzercise Vista is the first franchised location outside of the Corporate Office with the original owner becoming the mayor of Vista. Even though there have been ownership changes over the years, it is truly an honor to be the one to take this location into the future. In my first year of ownership, I’ve learned so much about being a business owner, and I’m very fortunate to have the support/guidance of many veteran owners across the US along with the knowledge that I’ve acquired while working in the Corporate Office. It has been the most rewarding experience.

Currently, I’m proud to say that Jazzercise Vista offers 30+ classes each week with a variety of formats ranging from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Our team of about 15 instructors works hard every day providing these classes to our members. We have some exciting future goals and we cannot wait to grow our Jazzercise Vista community.

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

While Jazzercise has been around for over 55 years, many people still believe it is “your grandma’s workout.” I’m here to tell you that as a 31-year-old, I am in the best shape of my life because of Jazzercise. Other programs have come and gone, but Jazzercise has withstood the test of time and we are reclaiming our prominence in the fitness industry. We pride ourselves on the fun, yet effective workouts that we provide because it truly doesn’t feel like you are workout out; you’re just having a dance party. Jazzercise is worldwide and no matter where you go, you’ll find the same workout.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth and referrals are the best source of new members because there is a sense of trust, authenticity, and community. When a member truly loves what they’re experiencing, they will naturally want to share it with others helping to build our community. Referrals reinforce the value of our services and will over time create long-term clients. New members, especially in the fitness industry, are looking for others to share their personal experience and to know about the community before joining. And those things will play a big role in their decision to join.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jazzercise.com/studio/ca/vista-fitness-center-22140
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazzercise.vistaca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jazzercisevista

Image Credits

Jonathan Araujo