We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses we received. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their unique and inspiring American stories.
Brave souls battle so-called fresh nasties in this extreme sport that actually saves gators’ lives.
Fast and furious, this American tradition features tiny tots riding woolly wonder beasts.
Jamie Poindexter’s drumline is bringing together a tough neighborhood with a joyful beat.
A barista gives a kidney to a complete stranger, giving her the ultimate pick-me-up.
Raised by migrant farm workers, Jose Hernandez used hard work and a big heart to reach the stars.
Monica Haslip’s afterschool program is creating artists and serious entrepreneurs.
Michael Reagan and his Fallen Heroes Project provides closure for the families left behind.
This shoe shine man is changing the world through his Clean Water Foundation.
Through hard work and perseverance, Mila Apostol created the little store that could.
A refugee survivor, Derreck Kayongo is saving the world, one bar of soap at a time.
Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun!
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.
An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.
She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.
She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.
Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”
A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.
She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.
As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.
She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.
Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.
They adopted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.
Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.
He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.
She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.
A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.
The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.
A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.
A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.
Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.
He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.
The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.
Muchas gracias Beto, muchas gracias ZUMBA por cambiar mi vida. Soy Feliz !
I discovered Zumba® fitness 3 years ago. My 72 year old mother decided to try out a Zumba Gold class in her area, so now she’s hooked as well. Awesome program.
I started teaching ZUMBA a year ago. As a Cardiac Nurse, I want Amreica to be healthy. I teach at the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia, where every time I teach is like a big fitness party, we average at least 100 people per class. The best thing about it is, we want people to afford fitness, therefore, people come and enjoy and love the class. The best thing about teaching this class is everyone smiles, always full of energy and I see a variety of different ages from 8 yrs old to 75 yrs old, and a total melting pot. I love teaching ZUMBA because I see results and people love coming back to the class. Being a former professional cheerleader for the NJ Nets, I bring the cheerleader in me by cheering on all my ZUMBA peeps who at first thought they could never do some of the moves ,to being in the front of the class and most importantly, when they tell me that I inspired them to become a ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR.
I felt compelled to also comment on Beto and Zumba. I had recently loss my mother who was also my best friend. She had been living with me over the last few years, and even though some would say that I was taking care of her, it was she who was always taking care of me. I was so very depressed and grieving that I just couldn’t get myself out of it. I went to a zumba class and just fell in love. I fell in love with the music, the dances and soon, I wasn’t thinking about being sad. It is so much fun and I have changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I cannot thank my Zumba instructor enough for introducing this dance to me. She will never know that she truly has saved my life. This goes to Bing Ruberti. My Zumba Yoda.
BETO= LIVE -LOVE-ZUMBA !!!! ” U HAVE TO FEEL IT TO TEACH IT ZUMBA” Irene
Yo solo puedo decir que es increible este hombre,, no es un dios como lo dijo aqui en Suiza,, pero es mas que un dios,, es un hombre que me ha dado un instrumento lleno de alegria para poder conocer a gentes en una tierra que no es mi tierra,,, nuevamente le doy las gracias por darme este lindo intrumento,, venido de su talento, de su sueno,,,sueno hecho realidad,, y aparte comparte este sueno a gentes como yo , a gentes que nos encanta,,, nos da vida,, no tengo mas comentarios,, gracias y gracias,,, y que dios le de millones de anos,,, te mando un fuerte abrazo bailarin con mucho Sol y Alegria
No pude haber sido mejor…,Beto…eres genial…Me encanta Zumba y aun mas…me encanta ensenyar tambien. Gracias por hacer una buena diferencia!
We proved after 10 years Zumba®Fitness is here to stay. In Europe we are growing very fast. 14 mil. people are having fun each day at a Zumba®class.
Two years ago I started giving Zumba®classes and it has inspired me and is making me feel good! Can’t wait for our first European convention in Feb. next…
Zumbalicious,
Etienne
You and your amazing program have changed my life and because of this…. I love you Beto. I thank you with all of my heart. XOXO
I love Zumba very much ,i took my first lesson two years ago and got hooked right away and i still love and enjoy it now, !! it changed my life for sure ! thnx Beto for bringing ZUMBA in to this world !!
LOVE YOU BETO!!!!!
I have being doing Zumba since I meet you in Puerto Rico in 2006, I Love ZUMBA!!
THANK YOU BETO! You are a very special person. XO…
I love ZUMBA. All it took was 1 time.Then i was hooked.After tht first time i wanted more so i got certified and the Addiction got worse.I fell in love with it and the ZUMBA Passion grows day by day.ZUMBA has changed my life .Its my therapy, Stress Reliever, and Most important My Family> We bond with every single student tht comes to the class, then they become part of our extended family.ZUMBA is not a FITNESS PROGRAM ..IT IS A LIFESTYLE .Thank you Beto for letting us do what we love to do ,,Help others get where they want to be.
we luv u and your zumba-
Rumba is more than a fitness work out. It’s about the community that develops when people attend class regularly. It’s not the spin or step class that most people dread but go anyways because they need to go to the gym. I hated working out and going to the gym but have always had to go to stay at a healthy weight and keep my cholesterol down(it’s high because of family history). One day my sister told me to try Zumba because we love to dance in our family. I though I was going to die the first class because it wasn’t what I was used to and it was GREAT FUN!! I was hooked! I went a couple times a week, then a few times a week and soon it was 4-6 days and sometimes two times in one day. I lost 35lbs and two dress sizes, i was addicted and made some great supportive friends who were there in class encouraging me to keep working hard to get to my goal and become healthier.
I started to panic when I realized I was moving to China(an area where they did not
have Zumba) and decided to become an instructor so I could spread the Zumba
I have been teaching for over a year and have introduced people to a new form of exercise that many did not know about and I thank God every day for Zumba. It’s given me the opportunity to stay healthy and help others as well, living as an expat is hard in China because of the language barrier that is not easy to learn. Zumba is unique with is non verbal cues that anyone can follow the moves. I have students from all over the world and they all enjoy it. I always tell people to listen to their bodies and show the proper technique to ensure no one gets injured. The beautiful thing about Zumba is you can add your own flare to it and it’s ok. Zumba gave me
and many others a place to come together and support each other in getting fit while having fun at a daily “party” . Zumba has changed lives of many and will continue to do so, I love it!!
My girlfriend brought me to my first class and it was crowded and I said this isnt for me..but soon as the music went on and I spotted the smiling instructor waving to e because she knew I was new!!,I gave it a shot and a year later ! cannot go with out ZUMBA….its part of my weekly activities and it so social…Met so many great instructors from everywhere..and wonderful..People with Big Smiles on their faces always!! xo
I have been doing zummba for a while now. I went to China and did a lot of walking and noticef how strong my legs had become before I went. My endurance was definitely due to Zumba.
Not being able to attend my sister’s 60th Bday party in Florida they sent me a dvd.. besides noticing the weight loss in my sister and neices !! i noticed everyone in the background laughing and doing some kind of dance.. asked my sister what it was and she told me Zumba !! well sent out for the dvd and the addiction began!! i love Zumba and when i heard there was a live class woo hoo!! the instructor’s in Mason City, Iowa are awesome the definatly make it a party i’ve been doing ZUMBA for over a year and lost about 40 some lbs.. im on my 2nd set of DVD and attend the ZUMBA classes.. and at 53 i feel great my blood pressure is good.. thankyou thankyou thankyou BETO for not giving up and bringing ZUMBA to us
That is Not could be true ?
Wish I could speak to Benito, over here in uk people who have no experience in dance or fitness are being churned out as Zumba instructors after only doing a one day course with them, You can not learn dance or understand about fitness in only 1 day yet alone teach it so wrong seen so much bad technique used, people who have trained for years and who have spent tens or even hundreds of thousands on dance training or fitness are be shunned for people who have just booked into a one day course it take years of hard work to become a dancer teacher or a fitness instructor. Even my own dance instructors (i am professional instructor myself now) have sacked their instructor for zumba after watching a class due to poor ability and lack of understanding of the dance forms included in zumba.
I am sure this is not what Benito would of wanted as many are just doing it for the money and have no passion for dance or fittness.
If any one could get me a direct contact with Benito I would love to speak with him over this awful way in which instructors are being churned out.
Martha and Alicja are two polish Zumba instructors living in Maynooth co Kildare Ireland.when they give a class they make everyone smile, laugh, have fun and feel that lovely pain and sweat that gives us zumba fitness.When we leave the class we feel alive and fresh and looking forward to the next class.I have watched people shrink to there goal weight and become new people.Its a great way to meet new people and make new friends.bring your old friends and share your friendship. boom boom shake the room.
Thank you Martha and Alicja for all the fun.
I hate the gym. It was a waste of my money to have a gym membership. I love to dance and have fun and when I found Zumba, it was the best thing ever for me. I love going to the gym 3 times a week for my Zumba class. I have an awesome instructor who keeps everything fresh. I am halfway to my weight loss goal and can’t wait to reach it altogether. Because of Zumba I have taken charge of my life and I am on the way to having the body i have always wanted.
i´m chilean girl, but i live in Germany for 4 years…my life here is pretty boring..i m trainer for 9 years, and im always teching the same programs…the only programs that germans knows!!!…but they never complete me 100% or make me feel happy… until i decide to star with Zumba..in the beginning, i have to confess that i was not 100% convinced about Zumba….but when i started…. MY LIFE CHANGE!!! is amazing what only a programm can do with you, with your life, with your energie…in just a couple weeks i converted in the ZUMBA QUEEN of the city. I let completly the others programms, and now zumba change my life…it gives me the oportunity to create new choreos, to use amazing music, to create a party in my class!!! THANKS BETO AND THANKS ZUMBA for giving me this!!!
Thanks to Zumba , I was able to quit my 5 year old job.. I never thought I was going to get out of there , but after taking a few Zumba Classes and after a few prople approched me thinking that I was the instructor , I decided to get certify for Zumba.I have been now teaching Zumba for almost two years and it is the greatest thing I could have ever done …After beeing told that I was going to be taking blood thinners for the rest of my life , my life totatlly changed as I was not able to join any kickboxing classes of any tipe of high impact Fitness class as I was told that I could develop blood cloths because my blood was too thick.. I decided to join the Gym and started taking dancing classes as the only option and that is how it all started. My husband was very supportive at the time because he saw a light in my eyes and now we are both enjoying the benefits of the great success that I have in the City of Montebello ,CA. I trully believe that Zumba Fitness save my life , I feel like a new person and have the body that I always wanted and the best part is that I’m no longer taking blood thinners … It is really a miracle .I hope this message gets to Beto if not ,I hope that it helps inspire other people that may be in the same situation as I was before and hopefully helps them see life in a different prospective. I hope one day to have the opportunity to see Beto and give him a big hug for sharing his big success with all of us. Thank you for letting me express my thoughts !!! I love Zumba !!!! Zumba will be always part of the rest of my life ….:)