Wellness + Self Care Series, Part 1: Incorporating Fitness Everyday
/“How we value and honor our own bodies impacts how we value and honor the bodies of others. ”
We are always in a time of change, but as we record this podcast, it is April 2020 and we are the midst of the COVID - 19 global pandemic. Most Americans at this time (except essential workers) are working from home, kids are not in schools, we are all working to social distance ourselves to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus.
Wellness is always important, but it seems the current circumstances have really put that into focus as we are all trying to be healthy, stay healthy and support those around us to be healthy. So, we wanted to do a series and wellness and self care for social change leaders.
In addition to just taking care of ourselves because we know we should, there is also something unique that those of us that work in helping professions and in area of social change to be aware of - compassion fatigue.
For those unfamiliar, Compassion fatigue definition is - the physical and mental exhaustion and emotional withdrawal experienced by those who care for people. This impacts our health, makes our work more challenging, and can make us less effective / able to do our work.
On today’s episode we speak with Vimbai Madzura. Vimbai holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Policy, Administration and Community Practice from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. In her current role, she is responsible for directing the work of Minnesota’s version of the federal health home initiative. In addition, she is tasked with strategic planning and works to ensure an equity framework addresses social inequities in her program work area.
Vimbai is also a licensed Zumba® Instructor, and holds an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) group fitness instructor certification and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer (CPT). Vimbai is committed to supporting others in reaching their health and wellness goals and leads effective and enjoyable group exercise classes in dance fitness and strength training. Vimbai teaches classes for a national fitness club chain, as well as for a high intensity interval functional training program, F45.
In our conversation, we discuss:
The background and experience of Vimbai Madzura, a fellow social change leader and fitness enthusiast
How Vimbai took her passion for working out, supporting others in getting healthy and turned it into a second source of income.
Tricks for how to keep fitness routines and habits in your life
Why social change leaders and helping professionals should incorporate regular exercise as a tool to avoid compassion fatigue and support overall wellness
Vimbai’s advice for how to keep committed to an exercise and fitness routine
In this episode we reference:
Vimbai is currently teaching classes online during the time of COVID-19.
For more information on her F45 schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/f45minnesota.
You can find information for her Zumba® classes on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dancefitnessbyv and learn routines at https://www.youtube.com/channel/VDanceFitness. Her weekly online Zumba® classes are offered free of charge, however donations can be made through PayPal at https://www.paypal.me/DanceFitnessbyV. She can also be reached by email at vmadzura@hotmail.com for more information.