The Happy Sweat Life

From Love to Dance: Embracing Zumba and Salsa with a Beginner's Mind with Devin Wagener

• Lisa Rung • Episode 6

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Episode 6.  In this engaging interview, we meet Devin Wagener who delved into the world of Zumba and Salsa, inspired by the love of his Argentinian wife. With no prior background in dance, he embarked on a journey of movement and rhythm. Discover how he found a warm and welcoming Salsa community that embraced his beginner's spirit and further enhanced his passion for the Spanish culture.

Show Notes:
Zumba:
Zumba Official Website (English)

Bachata:
Prince Royce (Bachata Singer)

Some simple Bachata steps

Salsa:
Pocket Salsa YouTube Tutorial Page
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Where you can find out more about Devin:
Spanish Speaking Mentor: https://www.instagram.com/spanishspeakingmentor/

Yerba Mate Power: https://www.instagram.com/yerbamatepower/

Yerba Power Podcast

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Lisa:

So welcome to the Happy Sweat Life podcast. My name is Lisa Rung and I'm really excited today to be talking to Devin Wagener he is doing Salsa and Zumba, so that's the dance styles that we're gonna be talking about today. So Devin, do you want to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself?

Devin:

Hey. Thanks Lisa, for, for having me on it. It's an honor. This is, this is fun. And thank you for, for allowing me to, Be here in this space. As far as about me like I said, my name is Devin. I live in Nashville area. So famous for country music, but that's not why I'm here. My wife is from Argentina, so that's kind of my, I guess, tie in to Salsa and Zumba. Tango is the more well-known dance of Argentina. However there's lots of different folkloric dances and stuff, but my wife is a big fan of salsa, so that's kind of how I got into it,

Lisa:

okay.

Devin:

by basically happy wife, happy life, so and joining with her and, and what she enjoys. Same with Zumba. But it's also a, a fun way to get some exercise. So that's, that's kind of what I was wanting to add value to your, to your audience today.

Lisa:

Yeah. Thank you. So how would you describe Zumba and then salsa to somebody that's never done it or doesn't know anything

Devin:

For one, for one if you've never heard of Zumba, you've probably been living in a, in a rock

Lisa:

Right.

Devin:

a cave. But But Zumba, I would say is basically aerobic. Like the old maybe seventies, eighties, you know, nineties or whatever, like step up dance videos. But just with more, I guess Latin rhythms essentially uh, would be the, I guess my definition of it. And basically just. An instructor does certain moves and steps that are usually easier to follow for general audience. And it's mostly a kind of an aerobic exercise versus an actual really dance, I guess you could say. Usually in all of the gyms across America internationally as well. As far as Zumba. Salsa on the other hand is. Simple, yet very complex. It's simple because it's basically, I mean, it's a Latin dance that really only has, you know, three steps essentially. But you combine different combinations and rhythms and exchanges and stuff to make it in styles even to make it, you know, really is a mixture of. Complex as, as salsa or sauce would be. In other words, it can be all these kind of different ingredients. So there's not to get too deep into the weeds, but there's, you know, like west coast stuff, there's, so, there's, there's on two, which means that you go on basically the offbeat or the downbeat instead of the upbeat on salsa. The, the NYC style, there's LA style, there's Cuban style. Those are just a couple of the things you know, as far as salsa. I would say, I learned in Costa Rica when I was studying Spanish down there. First got introduced at least into it as far as the basic, basic and then my wife obviously upgraded me by helping me learn a lot more. And it's a big deal all over the world as far as there's these whole congress. Things of salsa. In other words, it's like a big convention of people that are crazy for dance and salsa and have all these workshops and parties and stuff. And so it's, it's a world that I learned through her that I didn't know was that big of a deal. But yeah.

Lisa:

So, so have you gone to some of those conferences and those events?

Devin:

Yeah. Went to I think two in Houston and two in Dallas. My wife went to one in Boston. I'm trying to think. Went somewhere else. As far as those congress, those are the, the ones I remember. And then you know, different like little workshops and stuff around. We actually went um, when we were in Europe, when we went to a big salsa club in Antwerp, Belgium. it's actually pretty big in, Europe, believe it or not.

Lisa:

So if you're a complete beginner, how difficult would you say either Zumba or SALSA is to just start learning?

Devin:

Zumba, just basically go to the gym. Um, That's offering it in your end pretty much, you know? That's what I would say be the lower threshold. There's really no wrong way to do it. It's just exercise really. You know, so that's, I guess, some of the pressure off of that. Salsa, on the other hand, is a partner dance. So you know, that can be. Intimidating for a lot of people, especially guys of the guy is the leader in salsa. So, you know, it's kind of more, you have to be more well prepared, I guess you could say. Also, there can be that awkwardness of dancing with another female as a stranger essentially. So there's, there's kind of that, but a lot of places have classes and stuff for that you know, dance studios and things. A lot of Latin clubs, offer. You know, salsa night, and they have like a, come at 8:00 PM for like, the beginner's class, that way they can kind of prepare you for the actual event. So in other words, like, and, and usually bigger cities that have, you know, more Latin population they'll have salsa night or Latin night, and then they'll have a 30 minute, you know crash course, I guess you could say, or something like that. To help those that are just new to at least get the basic, basic for the actual event. That's, that's usually the, another way in, I would say.

Lisa:

Mm-hmm.

Devin:

Other than that, really YouTube, everything's on YouTube there's thing called pocket salsa, which is well known as far as teaching the moves it's an application. It's on, it's on YouTube as well. That's I think that would be a good recommendation for seeing some of the videos. personally, I'm not as good as a. Visual learner in that way is I kind of more kinesthetic I have to like do it, show me like with my body, kind of do it. So I mean, I guess it depends on, you know, your style too, of how you learn sometimes, you know you, it's, it's, I think learning, hearing the rhythm, but once you hear it, I mean, it's pretty, obvious you just have to. Get you're, you're accustomed to it if you're not used to, I guess, rhythms maybe.

Lisa:

And so are you doing Zumba and salsa equally, or do you tend to lean towards one or the other, or

Devin:

so, so I'll be honest, do salsa basically just cuz my wife. I, I'll be honest, it's not really something that's like my passion. It's just something so if we wanna talk about like more. What I would enjoy and also be easier on the flip side of that coin of kinda Latin dances versus salsa. There's also bachata, which is like a Dominican Republic is I guess the starter origin of that. It's more of a, how would I say, kinda like r and b of, of salsa. I mean Latin music, you know. There's a guy, prince Royce that's famous for that and he's kinda like the pop singer of that. I'm blanking on so many names, but there there's more. And then merengue, which is by far the easiest of those Latin cells, cuz it's literally just 1, 2, 1 2 kind of walk in, in place. So I guess as far as those go I mean, I just go when I go to to gym. Yeah.

Lisa:

Oh, okay. Oh, so it's part of your gym? They offer the Zumba?

Devin:

Yeah, yeah. They have, the classes. So that's kind of, I guess, you know, when, when we go or whatever.

Lisa:

And when, when did you start, I mean, I know you mentioned this also when you were in.

Devin:

Okay. Yeah. What the year, let's see, lemme do 2010, I think.

Track 1:

Okay.

Devin:

When I first maybe got introduced to Salsa, Zumba, Don't know there but probably somewhere shortly after that time, maybe

Lisa:

Okay.

Devin:

guessing something.

Lisa:

did you have a, a background in dance growing up? Like did you do anything like that before?

Devin:

Great point. Yes. And I wanna say this also was encouragement to other husbands as well. if your wife is interested, learn it. Number one number two. No, I have no, like, I'm not, I'm not gifted in dance or anything like that. So that's my encouragement to you guys. I'm from Arkansas, so I don't have a Latin background. So it's not like I've got this gift of salsa or anything. I think it's just, if you, there's a will, there's a way. If you really want, if you really wanna learn something, then you'll, you'll try. Don't give up, but also realize, you know, salsa's a little bit. Steeper curve, I guess you could say at beginning. It's, it's easier if you do basic, basic, but then you know, it, it gets complex really quickly. So yeah, I don't have any like special dance attributes or gifts or anything. So I think that's the, the beauty about it, you can learn it if you don't have to be gifted in it. And I think it's, it's good for all of us to kind of get out of our comfort zone. Do something you know, that's maybe even challenging or something to kind of just not be a, such a stick in the mud, I guess you could say. You know, do something a little bit different. So I guess that's my encouragement cuz even sometimes I can get kind of like, well, you know, I'm, this isn't me or whatever. But you know, just enjoy it, I guess nonetheless, even if you're not good at it, you know.

Lisa:

Right, right.

Devin:

all about, you know, en enjoying what you're doing, even if you're not good at it, right? So,

Lisa:

it sounds like a really nice bonding thing to do with your partner.

Devin:

Yeah, I mean that's essentially what, yeah. I, I use it for and you, you don't have to be married or, or even have a partner to do it because can make a lot friends. Doing that. I mean, I know a guy, one of my, one of my good friends, he goes to all these congresses all over the world and everything, and he just makes a lot of great friends. You know, you don't, doesn't have to be like, I think as us as an Anglo culture of holding another female's hands that you don't know or something can be very awkward, but it's. It's, it's just part of the dance. And if you kind of detach yourself from this, like, oh, this is so intimate. It's, it's just a dance. Like, I guess that's the other, I guess, Puritan, Anglo side of, of Americans that makes it so uncomfortable. But you can make a lot of good friends that really just enjoy it. And that's, that's okay. You don't have to think everybody is like potential couple or something, just because you dance with'em for you know, 10 minutes. But that's actually the, the better part about those congress, like those kind of quote unquote, you know, professionals or whatever is because they act professional. So in other words they behave in a professional manner. It's not this whole like, oh, what are you doing later? You know, what's your name? You know, that kind of stuff. It's, it's more of a thank you and you know, next, you know,

Lisa:

That's a great point. And, and probably comforting to some people to know that there is that boundary there if you want to.

Devin:

Yeah, exactly. And you have all the right to say no thanks. I mean,

Lisa:

So I was looking at the Zumba website and I had taken Zumba way back in the day. I actually found it really hard. Like I, I got so frustrated over trying to follow the steps.

Devin:

And, and I've found that sometimes the teachers themselves can make it more difficult than it needs to

Lisa:

Yeah. Oh, okay. That's good to know.

Devin:

They like maybe do some move that's like complicated versus just, you know, step two times to the left, step two times to the right. You know, they'll do some kind of, you know, whatever. So,

Lisa:

yeah. I think it was when they started to add in other body moves, other things of going with the steps. That was a

Devin:

Sometimes the song could be just too fast or something.

Lisa:

Yes. Yeah. It definitely is kind of fast paced.

Devin:

So it's definitely, you know, I will, Say to that extent. That's a good point that, you know results may vary. Right? as, you know, if you, there can be sometimes a teacher for, for example that's leading the class that just doesn't vibe well with you. Maybe the songs they pick or terrible or the movements they do are just too complicated or they're just not fun. Maybe, I don't know. You know, so say, give it a shot at maybe another gym or another class if possible. I mean, you don't have to. Also, that's another thing. You could just look up YouTube video, those, those tons and tons of YouTube videos as well on, on different zoom choreography. Then you could do it the comfort your own home. So

Lisa:

That's true. That's a good recommendation.

Devin:

No one, no one, know, no one there to critique you or anything. So,

Lisa:

Right And I think sometimes that's a good way to learn at first, and then maybe you feel more comfortable stepping into class so you have some, some, a little bit of sense of what you know, what you're be doing or what's, what the steps are. But but one thing I noticed on the Zumba website was that I, I don't think they had all this when I was learning, but say they have Aqua Zumba in the pool

Devin:

I've actually done that before. Yeah.

Lisa:

Oh, have you? Okay. How, what was

Devin:

well, it's interesting you know, you're basically, I guess dancing in the water and I mean, I'm not, you know, a Zoom instructor, but believe the idea is to, you know how do I say, lessen the impact on the joints and stuff,

Lisa:

Oh, right.

Devin:

know so to, and water so that your, movements are less impactful, I guess, you know. But then I guess you also get the added advantage of the resistance of water as far as, you know muscle strength.

Lisa:

Oh, true, true. Did they use any other equipment or was it just,

Devin:

Hmm. I think they might have, might have had some, like those, these, like these water weight kind of things, or kinda like styrofoam, but I don't remember was or not. I've only done that like, you know. Two or three times I think. Cause the class they had at, at my old the university, it was like, you know, like six in the morning or something. So I only went like two, three times, you know,

Lisa:

Bit early.

Devin:

cold and so yeah,

Lisa:

Yes,. And then I was seeing they have Zumba gold for older people. A little less intense. And

Devin:

probably true. Yeah. I.

Lisa:

you haven't tried that one. Yeah. And then Zumba kids, they seem like they have a bunch of different ones for different age groups.

Devin:

got my kids in the class, but that would be a good idea. My kids love music because of my wife, but they love to dance and sing. But I have seen like some of those classes, like I've seen YouTube videos like the little kids classes and stuff, and it looks really, really cute and fun. So, Way to the family involved, I think too.

Lisa:

definitely. I, yeah, I was impressed that they, they've kind of geared some classes towards the kids. Zumba step, I guess with a step up.

Devin:

Yeah, with a little step up, know, the, the stereotypical, I guess, you know, aerobic dancing.

Lisa:

Yes. Yes. I think that was the one I, I'm sure that we had a step in ours, the one I did. And then Zumba toning, I think, which was the toning Sticks. Have you done that?

Devin:

No, I haven't. I think they, the teacher I have every once in a while would use like a weight or two, but know, a little dumbbell or something, but probably similar, I'm guessing.

Lisa:

Yeah, I would imagine some of the teachers actually probably blend a couple of these together. Cause I think we did the toning sticks too at some point. You know, some of the classes. And then I was seeing they have, what is it called, strong by Zumba, high Intensity Body Weight Training.

Devin:

I, I, I've not done the strong zoom, but my, I think my wife has. But that's more of like HIIT type workouts I think are involved in that, like, which is, if you don't not familiar with hit like high intensity. So it's like you'll do 20 seconds. Of like a certain, you know, strength move, let's say maybe a pushups or something, and then you have like ten second rests in between. At least that's what I, I I think that's what that is. I be honest, I think, like you said, we've combined some of that. Cause I do remember teacher we have was very energetic and we do a lot of different things, so

Lisa:

Gotcha. Yeah, it looked like they mentioned that you could be doing pushups, burpees. So my favorite and lunges probably mixed in with

Devin:

Sound does sound Mm-hmm.

Lisa:

Yeah, Yeah. And then it looked like they had one where you can, I said the chair is your dance partner, so I guess you're seated with that one. Or maybe chair

Devin:

that's what I'm guessing. That's probably more also for older. you know, older handicap or, or some, some disabilities maybe. Possibly, yeah.

Lisa:

Yeah, I was gonna ask kind of about that, like how accommodating is it for somebody who maybe has a challenge like that, a physical challenge, or,

Devin:

Yeah that's a good question. I think any good trainer, mean as far as Zumba would go, any good trainer, I think in any exercise would be able to like modify.

Lisa:

Hmm.

Devin:

moves, to, for example, if you can't do a full squat, then maybe, something similar or not a full burpee. In other words, just do this part of it, the burpee or just do like instead of doing pushups, you full pushups, push up with your knees or, or push up with like the chair or, you know, something like that. I would think, know, any, any good. Trainer would be able to modify the move to, you know, accommodate.

Lisa:

Yeah, that's a good point. And I guess if you find that you're not getting that, you can, you know, as you said, a different instructor.

Devin:

Yeah, exactly. That's what I would say too. Yeah. If that's not working for you, then yeah, To. But another one, there's plenty of'em out there, I'm sure.

Lisa:

Yeah, and, and I was, I was looking like kind of at the online classes as well through the Zumba website. And boy they had a lot of different teachers and a lot of different offerings. Like you could pick a bunch of these different ones if you wanted to.

Devin:

Oh, cool.

Lisa:

Particularly, you know, focus on one of'em that seemed like the best fit for you. So that was, that was neat too, to see that. So maybe you can tell me a little bit about like what the benefits of each of those have been for you, both physically and in other, any other ways that you have noticed.

Devin:

That's a great question. As far as Zumba personally, that's, that's I think just kind of exercise and doing something. You know, fun, I guess you could say is, doing something more than just, lifting weights. It's kind of just something a little more energetic, you know, listening to some, you know, fun music and being with a group of people. I think that helps. Of the benefits of exercises as well is not only do you get the, you know, endorphins from exercising and feeling better and getting some, getting a little sweat going, getting your body moving your, your blood pumping and stuff. But then sharing in community that helps to kind of get us I don't know all the science behind it, but you know, we need interaction as social creatures, so that helps you know, And, you could, could possibly find some friends in there. You know, if you're willing to just say hi, and if you keep coming to class, I'm sure you'll get to know'em after a little while. So I think that would be the benefits in that. And then I think they also do these big Zumba events and stuff too. I know I have seen a couple that they do'em, like at a big park or something, Where you get to meet a whole bunch of people and stuff like that. And I'm sure they have some kinda congress or something as well so as far as Zumba and salsa, that I think one, trying something new challenge, you know, as far as learning a new skill, I think that's one thing. It is exercise, cuz I mean it's still moving. You know, it's also I think. A cultural learning experience as well.

Lisa:

Oh, that's a point. Yeah, definitely.

Devin:

you can possibly learn Spanish, through through salsa because, you know, most of the songs are in Spanish. Sometimes a lot of people that in salsa speak Spanish. I, I know some friends that have kind of done that way. There's actually a podcast about learning Spanish with salsa or through salsa.

Lisa:

Oh, no kidding. That That's neat.

Devin:

Yeah. And so there, that's an extra, I guess, benefit. And then if you have a partner, then that's, I think a good thing to do together, period. Just, any, it doesn't have to be salsa, but any, any kind of partner dance. Cause you guys something to, to work together, I guess. And or possibly meet her. Partner or friend through that connection kind of thing of just, shared experience, I think.

Lisa:

Do you find it like, I know a lot of people talk about sort of stress relief and you know, just, do you find

Devin:

yeah, for sure. Definitely with, with Zumba, I would think. Cuz that's more just fun. Whereas sometimes with Salsa I can probably more stressed because of not getting the moves. But that's just me. But that's definitely my, my wife's outlet is, to do those kind of things. So she really enjoys that. So I think, you know, a lot of people, I mean, cuz you're in a, it is more positive environment, right? You get this energetic music and stuff. So it's, it's, I think another benefit too. Like I said, stress relief. I think a good, good point too.

Lisa:

Yeah, I think just imagining as the male in the salsa thing, you also have to sort of worry about leading and that always seemed challenging

Devin:

and, and, and, and typically there's, there's like three guys and there's like 20 girls. Right. You know, so it's you know.

Lisa:

You, you get your fill of partners.

Devin:

Exactly.

Lisa:

I was thinking I had taken a little bit of ballroom and I remember some of the teachers there were complaining that people that had taken Zumba thought they knew Latin dancing They were like, no, don't. They don't really know. They don't really know.

Devin:

Song

Lisa:

Yeah.

Devin:

That's.

Lisa:

Although I think there is some crossover

Devin:

do get in trouble with my wife a lot of times because of the technique. It's also, I got the steps down and I got the move down, but it's like the technique, like the way you're position your hand or whatever, it's sloppy or something, you know, so yeah, so she'll, she'll critique me on that of course. But you know, there is, there is an art to it as well. So I guess that's one thing. It's not just a science, it is an art to, know, which I would say a lot of dance is kind of, Kinda more on the creative artistic side, generally speaking. So maybe that's another creative outlet, you know?

Lisa:

Mm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I know one person that does Latin dancing, but she was just talking about sort of all this research on the brain health, for people that are aging, that do dancing, know, having to memorize the steps

Devin:

No, that's, yeah.

Lisa:

you know, master all those things you were saying.

Devin:

Actually, you just made me think of something. My so one of our friends, she was doing like her I think internship or whatever with, with like physical therapy,

Lisa:

Okay.

Devin:

what she was doing with some of these patients is teaching'em like just very simple bachata steps

Lisa:

Oh my

Devin:

a way of getting them moving, you getting something fun, but you know, rehabilitation as well. So, yeah.

Lisa:

And how do you spell that? Bachata, you said.

Devin:

Bachata. B A C H A T A.

Lisa:

Okay. I'll have to look that up. sounds fun.

Devin:

I'll, I'll send you a link for maybe some, some basic videos or something or, or moves or something for you. Yep. of those little I can send you.

Lisa:

That sounds great. So how often, like just on average on a week, are you doing either Zumba or Salsa?

Devin:

So, so this is me personally, almost zero at this point. Got, I got a four year old and a two year old. So we, so we don't go out as as much as we used to. Scarlet pretty much just goes Scarlet is my wife. She pretty much just goes to the gym and does her Zumba on Saturday mornings. Herself and I'll, you know, take the kids to the park or something. So, so me personally, right now, I'm at probably about, you know, zero for the last, you know, while so,

Lisa:

Yeah. Life definitely has those ebbs and flows of how much you can do things

Devin:

now I need to into Zumba kids now, apparently. So, yeah.

Lisa:

Yeah, that would be fun. Yeah, I think they said let's see, zero to three was one, four to six was another, and then seven to 11. So

Devin:

they would love it. So now I need to into that. So gimme, gimme something to do.

Lisa:

So you kind of mentioned this before, but any specific advice you would give somebody who was interested in trying either of those?

Devin:

Well, I would say have an open mind.

Lisa:

Mm.

Devin:

Be willing to learn, be willing take, you know, criticism and stuff. You know, it doesn't necessarily mean it's bad criticism. People you generally, I would think, want the best for you. So don't think it is like they're critiquing you. think in, you know, also being so afraid, I guess, of, not understanding or not doing it right. I mean, It's your first time, no one expects you to do it perfectly. So I think just having that beginner's mindset, it's okay. You know, I think the most important things, just showing up and just giving it a shot. and if you want to build yourself a little confidence, I think you had a good point of like, just look up some YouTube videos, learn a couple basics by yourself to you feel a little bit more confident to go out on your own and into the group environment. Yeah.

Lisa:

That's great. That's good advice. Yeah, I was thinking too, I was just actually listening to Pat Flynn's podcast episode today and he was talking about how he 10 Xed his career in architecture by like taking on something that he really didn't have any idea how to do. So I sometimes I think like things like doing salsa or doing Zumba where you really. Don't really know what you're getting into, can really upscale your life a bit

Devin:

yeah, and actually, you know, just to get a little meta on us here too. Yeah. This, this podcast I'm sure for yourself as well as mine. My podcast is really kind of like really opened. My world for of doing something that people always talk about starting a podcast. I mean, I'm sure all of us talk about it, but you know, you and I are, well, you specifically are doing it. So, you got past that first hurdle of just like, I don't know what to do, or, you know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. All those doubts and fears, and just do it. then you find out on that other side of that, that barrier that you've been. Putting in front of yourself, you realize, man, this is great. You know, sure it's not all peaches and roses and stuff, but like you realize, man, why didn't I do this earlier? And sometimes if you just get outta that comfort zone for a little bit, you might find something beautiful on the other side. And if you don't, oh well at least you said you did it and you, got out of that. What if, you know, cuz that's just gonna be the regret that's gonna haunt you the rest of your life.

Lisa:

Absolutely. So I guess if somebody's feeling the impulse to try either Zumba or Yeah. yeah, just do

Devin:

You won't actually die, you know? I mean, you may feel it, but you know,

Lisa:

Right. Right.

Devin:

the fear that's, that's just your subconscious. There's nothing dangerous, you know? So.

Lisa:

Right. Other than feeling a little uncomfortable,

Devin:

exactly. It feel a little comfortable. No one's, no one's actually filming you and making fun of you behind your back. Like you're, you're probably being your own worst critic, I promise. Like, I get that way all the time. It's like, oh, I'm thinking, they're just laughing at me the whole time. It's like no one's even paying attention to me. They're so concerned about themselves that not even looking at anyone else. Like they're in the same, they're in their head too about oh, am I doing this right? Like, they're not paying attention to. You're being selfish to think about yourself, but care, you know?

Lisa:

Well, is there anything you would like to add that we haven't covered, or any thoughts that you have about the salsa and Zumba?

Devin:

No, I, I've enjoyed it. If, yeah, like, I think to just put a nail in that about, just give it a shot Know, I think the, the, at least you can say you tried it. It's kind of like telling my kids to try broccoli or vegetables or whatever. Like you, you can't know, you don't like it until you try it, know? So just give it a shot. You don't like it. No big deal. Yeah, you tried it. You can mark it off your list. You know, other than that I guess just people wanna reach out or know more, ask questions or whatever, feel free, you can message me. I basically, I'm on, I guess Instagram is probably the easiest way to get ahold of me Spanish speaking mentor. On Instagram. So I've got another, podcast and stuff, but it's not, not at all related that anybody would care about for, for this, but it's about Yerba mate, which is South America. But I will have the Spanish Speaking Mentor podcast coming soon. So I'm holding myself accountable in front of you and your audience now.

Lisa:

awesome.

Devin:

right now they can go to that, the Instagram page and they'll, they'll see later when it, when it evolves.

Lisa:

Yeah, I mean, definitely share about what you're, you're up to in terms of your other business. I think our listeners would like to, know a little bit about that. It fits into the salsa. Spanish

Devin:

yeah, I mean, it, it's, it's not really anything to do with dancing, I guess you could say, but it, it, far as culture, and that's I feel like the bigger reach of salsa is as far as culture and insight into, you know, how people think, honestly. Because you realize like the type of music is kind of more. It's happier, it's more, you know, that's kind of like part of the culture, part of the, the way of thinking of, this is a more of enjoying life while we're living mindset versus you know, well we don't know what the future holds, but let's enjoy it while we're here. And that's kind of like, I guess that mindset and it kind of comes from, I guess, more of the Latin culture as well. So

Lisa:

I love that. Yeah. That's neat. So, so you said you have an Yerba Mate

Devin:

yeah, called Yerba Mate which is a, basically a, a tea from South America. So I guess to put it in simple terms and why that's important is because it has all the caffeine, like coffee without the crash and jitters and all the antioxidants and vitamins like green tea and, and other Tea benefits so it's in the US mostly in energy drinks, unfortunately,

Lisa:

Oh,

Devin:

contains a lot of sugar, but the traditional way is very simple. Well, maybe not simple because it usually people are a little confused by the equipment and stuff that you use, but it's just like loose leaf tea that you pour hot water in. So that's just to make it simple. I teach all that kind of stuff on my other Instagram and podcast and everything else, and we talk about culture and language and everything else as well too, there. So it's been very fun. And yeah, if you ever wanna be on there, I'd be happy to have you. Oh, you know, if you just wanna be, just ask Well, that's, yeah, that'd be great because you can ask all the questions as, as someone that doesn't know. And,

Lisa:

okay.

Devin:

You know, and then. I'm upset, I can point'em back to you for getting involved physi physical different ways, you know,

Lisa:

Yeah, that's great. And then just tell us a little bit about your Spanish speaking. Cause I think that's so interesting as well

Devin:

so I studied Spanish in high school and middle school and stuff. Probably like, you know, 80% of. Americans, I guess as far as that goes. I just kind of went a little bit further up into college. And I didn't really learn Spanish until I went to Costa Rica and lived with a host family for four months. So immersion is by far the way to do it. Thanks to the internet though, you don't have to go to a Spanish speaking country to get immersion, and that's kind of what I teach as well. And how to do that. And basically, Helping people reach fluency that they want to in Spanish conversation. Kind of doing it, showing'em the way I did it, and that's kinda why I call myself the Spanish-speaking mentor, I guess, to help'em get there. And I know that that helps build a lot of bridges. Connecting with whole other cultures opens a whole new world to you, not only just because understanding the lyrics to the salsa music, but movies and just people that you meet. And then when you go travel to somewhere, now you. Can actually understand what's going on. It just literally opens a whole new world to you of things that just weren't available to you before. So that's to me, well, and it, gets me a wife. So, that's the other I guess benefits of, think just speaking on the language in general of those kind of benefits of, you know, connecting with a whole new culture and people and just everything that that entails.

Lisa:

Yeah. That's so interesting. I mean, I just am thinking about like, you definitely can do salsa and Zuma like on a, just an exercise level. And then as you were saying, there's sort of a, can be a community aspect of it, you know, maybe you connect with other, but then there's this cultural Part of it where you can, you can really expand your understanding and appreciation for salsa and all things, you know, in that culture by like learning the language and just exploring that part of it, which I think is really neat. You know, if you really wanna kind of take it to the far end of,

Devin:

Deep as you as you want to go. Yeah.

Lisa:

That's beautiful Well thank you so much Devin. I really appreciate you coming on and talking to us about Zumba and salsa and just all things around that.

Devin:

you, Lisa. No, thank you so much for having me, Lisa. I, I really did enjoy it and I wish you all the success and your projects and podcasts

Lisa:

Thanks, you too.

Devin:

We look forward to, I guess, seeing you in the future and, and sharing this with the world.

Lisa:

Great. Great. And I'll have all the links for, you know, your different podcast and your website and if people wanna get in touch with you in my show notes so you can check it out there. Well, thank you so much again. Okay. Bye.

Devin:

Bye.