From Goosebumps to Ganas: A story of colleagues becoming familia

“I have goosebumps! I feel uplifted, just being surrounded by amazing women…strong and powerful women,” said Sineyda Ortiz, Assistant Director for Fitness at the University of Texas at Arlington, who couldn’t contain herself as she entered the virtual room. Skipping the “hellos,” she launched straight into how she was feeling. You could see and feel her excitement through the screen. Why was she so excited? What began as professional connection has evolved into familia.

I introduced Alessandra Sanchez, Program Coordinator for Group Exercise at the University of Texas at San Antonio; Mitzie Rojas, Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness at Texas State University; and Sineyda—three Latina fitness professionals—to each other during the pandemic. Since those first introductions, they have continued to gather regularly and developed a deep personal and professional connection. As the “only one” in many fitness and collegiate recreation spaces, their shared identities have created a trusting space where they can share professional, familial, and cultural challenges.

Their shared struggles as the “only one” have included feelings like they have to work twice as hard to demonstrate their skills and competencies to be accepted and to earn a seat at the table. Growing up with explicit or implicit messages like “Your kind doesn’t belong here” fuels their motivation to break down barriers—especially for marginalized communities. Sineyda spoke about being a Latina fitness instructor in a predominately white industry: “You stand out from the group because you are not petite. You are curva-licious. You’ve broken the mold, my dear.” Alessandra shared an encounter with a professor: “She was talking about her struggle with weight loss and commented how she wasn’t expecting this at all from a Zumba class. When I asked her, ‘What do you mean?’ She said that she was envisioning a white female as an instructor and that ‘You made it so comfortable, because you are one of us, a Latina, and we don’t see that every day.’ She mentioned that she feels better if there is someone like her teaching the class.”

Similarly, the trio can lean on each other because they have similar experiences and shared perspectives. They understand the daily challenges Latinas face and don’t minimize the hardships they are experiencing. “These are my people, and I can go and talk to them. They can tell me the hard truths and know how to do it,” Mitzie shares.

Shared perspectives help this small and mighty group support each other through tough personal and professional times. Each of them has had to explain what they do in their roles as fitness professionals to their families. When Sineyda started her journey into motherhood, Alessandra and Mitzie drove hours to be at her baby shower. They have navigated cultural expectations and assumptions by colleagues. They are assumed to know Spanish (spoiler, they don’t all speak Spanish), and when they confirm they are bilingual, they are often expected to perform unpaid labor like translation.

Reflecting on their connection, each wishes it had happened sooner. I knew I was witnessing something special as tears and cracking voices streamed through the screen. Alessandra says, “I have this group to cheer me on and help me recognize my accomplishments. It’s big because they know the struggles and challenges I go through.” Sineyda adds, “We are able to trust each other. The support, the encouragement, the mutual truth-telling (even if we don’t want to hear it) have made me feel like I am not alone.” I think Mitzie summed things up perfectly: “I found my people. It’s something we didn’t know we needed until it happened.”

Connect, Conexión

Are you able to easily make connections with others? If so, NIRSA’s Latinx Caucus needs you! We are searching for a convenor for the Latinx Caucus to help host informal virtual gatherings throughout the year. And we hope to host an in-person gathering of the Latinx Caucus at the 2023 NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo, happening March 23–27 in Pittsburgh. Please contact me if you’re interested in joining the Latinx Caucus or in being our convenor. Did you catch our 2022 playlist (hint, it’s linked below)? Caution, you may experience an uncontrollable urge to dance!

Learn, Aprender

As we head into Hispanic Heritage Month, I encourage you to deepen your learning. Below are a few resources for you to explore.

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Victoria Lopez-Herrera is currently Senior Associate Director at the University of Texas at San Antonio and an At-Large Director on the NIRSA Board of Directors; you can email her at victoria.lopez-herrera@utsa.edu.