Meet Arlene Garcia | Dance fitness instructor and planning extraordinaire

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arlene Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arlene, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
As a boy mom of 3, my biggest impact I have had as a mother is showing all of my boys that you can accomplish any and all dreams and goals if you MAKE the time. They see me writing my newsletter on our kitchen table. They see me practicing my Turn Up choreography in the bonus room. They see me in my bedroom, going live and recording my podcast. They know that they are taken care of and that all (most) housework has been completed. I cannot do everything while they are asleep-it is NOT realistic. So, they are are around-eating snacks, playing on their video games and they’ll find me , using my pockets of time, to get all things done that are side hustle and business related.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I decided to become a Turn Up Dance Fitness Instructor 2 years ago. I originally wanted to get certified to teach Zumba, and may still do that in the future, but ultimately decided to teach Turn Up. It is THE movement. It’s like working out meets dance meets the club. You just have to experience it for yourself to truly understand this awesomeness. What sets me apart is that I had my right knee replaced 3 years ago, at 34 years old. I practice what I preach-daily movement is king. Exercising is not just for weight loss; it’s for your mood, mobility, and for when you are in your 90s. We push ourselves but I also preach- modified does not equal less than. Can’t do a burpee? Do a squat. Can’t do a jumping jack? Tap it out. Can’t do the dance move? Freestyle and make it your own. Starting my own workouts, QueenSh*t, is a safe space to practice all of these moves and more. What also sets me apart is that I come from an empathetic space. I tap into the energy around my clients and I teach from that place. I am proud of myself because I am not afraid to ask for help. This whole entrepreneurship thing is not for the weak! I have done a lot of this on my own but I have an incredible group of like-minded women in my circle and in my corner. I always knew I was destined for more-since I was a young child in the Bronx. I just never really knew how to get to where I wanted to be. So, I did the typical things-graduate high school, go to college (and drop out), have kids and get married. While going thru debilitating post partum depression with my first and then again with my second, and not having any will to live, I knew that I had to change, that something had to give. During those crazy 2020 times, with my 3rd child almost 2 years old, it really hit me that we have one life to live and I need to stop giving 2 fucks on what people think of me, my life and my choices. It has not been easy. The overthinking and (undiagnosed) ADHD will always be something I deal with on the daily. I overcome the challenges every single day. Realizing that life ebbs and flows was the best thing I learned in therapy over 10 years ago. Some days are bad bit*h days and some are sad bit*h days and that’s A okay.

Some of the lessons I have learned along the way are: show up, daily, no matter what. Also, be you. There are people with similar stories but no one is YOU! And there IS space for you. Take up all of the space.

Sobriety is a huge part of my brand and it looks different for everyone. Not everyone reaches rock bottom and not every goes to AA or NA. Starting my podcast, Arlene Anonymous was a way to heal and process life’s challenges. I have learned how to have fun without drugs or alcohol and though it has taken me years, I can hang around others that do choose that lifestyle. It is my not place to judge just like there’s no reason for others to judge my choices. We can, hopefully, all have a good time together. If you’re going to learn one thing from reading this is that addiction is addiction and if you need help, you need to seek it.

I want the world to know that my story is just beginning, That at 37, I truly am just getting stared.. I want others to feel the same. WE are just beginning. Imagine if we all had it figured out at 19? The past does not define us. We only have now. Always choose the now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend outside. Colorado is known for its mountains so I would take them on scenic drives. Red Rocks, Washington Park, Colorado Springs. I actually don’t go out much so I would use Tik Tok to tell me where to go, especially for dining recommendations. I would check Instagram for any local events in the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While I could dedicate this shoutout to lots of people, I have to shoutout out my parents. They are the best people around. My parents are my best friends. It was not always like this but as adult, I’m so blessed to have them alive and in my life. They support me in all of my life’s adventures. Thank you for always believing in me and my crazy ideas!

Website: https://thearlenegarcia.com

Instagram: queenarlenefitnessllc

Other: Arlene Anonymous podcast on Spotify and Apple Music

Image Credits
Parents: Elvin and Rosa Veloz
Get Busy Livin’ Studios is located at: 1400 Oneida St Denver, CO 80220
Turn Up squad is full of local, bad ass queens from all of Colorado