Why This Fitness Instructor Is Inspiring You to Look at Every Day Like a Reset
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I’m thankful that I can look back at 2020 and say, ‘I got through this; I can do anything.’ I’m going to carry that with me for 2021 and beyond.
If you’ve ever worked out — either in person or virtually — with Deja Riley, you know her signature opening line goes something like, “Hello, beautiful people! It is an amazing day to feel good.” But the POPSUGAR Dance FitSugar host and Dance Out of the Box founder has to work at positivity, just like the rest of us, especially throughout the tough year that was 2020. “I still have breath in my lungs and the ability to make change every single day, and I’m thankful for that,” she said. “Do challenges come? Yes, of course. Is every day the best day? No. However, reminding myself of how blessed I am makes it easy for me to get back into a positive mindset when hard times do come.”
That’s why Deja is heading into 2021 with a sense of purpose — she sees it as a moment to refresh, not just her professional goals but her personal practice as well. “I’m thankful that I can look back at 2020 and say, ‘I got through this; I can do anything,’” she said. “I’m going to carry that with me for 2021 and beyond.”
Though she started out as a professional dancer, Deja found that she was passionate about boxing and decided to start a business combining the two. “Dance Out of the Box was born from the idea that no one can put you in a box,” she said. “I created a music-driven workout program designed to make you smile while you sweat! I teach the fundamentals of traditional boxing — it’s mostly shadowboxing techniques mixed into dance moves.”
Pre-COVID, Deja was always on the move, filming digital workout classes for POPSUGAR and her own YouTube channel and teaching pop-up classes around the country. But now, she’s had to pivot to shooting her videos at home rather than at a studio with a full team. “At the beginning of the year, I never thought I would be filming workouts at my house,” she said. “I was scared that something would go wrong or that my videos wouldn’t have the same effect as when I was in the studio. After some trial and error, I finally got it down, and it’s really taught me a lesson in trusting myself. I’ve surprised myself with how adaptable I truly am, and I’m better for it.”
As 2021 kicks off, Deja is focusing her energy on both her community at large and on herself, and she is starting out by setting intentions for the year. “I really am a big believer in setting intentions and writing them down,” she said. “I have a journal, and I love to write down what’s in my heart. This gives me something to refer back to and keeps me focused and on track with reaching my goals. And I get to look back to see how much I’ve accomplished.” Personally, Deja said yoga has become such a big part of her distancing routine that she’s decided to learn to teach it.
For her students, Deja said she tries to lead by example and hopes her energy rubs off on everyone who takes her classes. What keeps her motivated is reaching as many people as possible and acting as a positive influence in their lives. “Honestly, the number one thing that keeps me motivated through all of this is just knowing I’m not just doing this for myself,” she said. “We are all one big community, and staying inside, doing my part, and leading workouts to keep everyone healthy during this time is such a big motivator and makes it all worth it.”
I’ve surprised myself with how adaptable I truly am, and I’m better for it.
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I’ve surprised myself with how adaptable I truly am, and I’m better for it.
I’m thankful that I can look back at 2020 and say, ‘I got through this; I can do anything.’ I’m going to carry that with me for 2021 and beyond.
For her students, Deja said she tries to lead by example and hopes her energy rubs off on everyone who takes her classes. What keeps her motivated is reaching as many people as possible and acting as a positive influence in their lives. “Honestly, the number one thing that keeps me motivated through all of this is just knowing I’m not just doing this for myself,” she said. “We are all one big community, and staying inside, doing my part, and leading workouts to keep everyone healthy during this time is such a big motivator and makes it all worth it.”
As 2021 kicks off, Deja is focusing her energy on both her community at large and on herself, and she is starting out by setting intentions for the year. “I really am a big believer in setting intentions and writing them down,” she said. “I have a journal, and I love to write down what’s in my heart. This gives me something to refer back to and keeps me focused and on track with reaching my goals. And I get to look back to see how much I’ve accomplished.” Personally, Deja said yoga has become such a big part of her distancing routine that she’s decided to learn to teach it.
Pre-COVID, Deja was always on the move, filming digital workout classes for POPSUGAR and her own YouTube channel and teaching pop-up classes around the country. But now, she’s had to pivot to shooting her videos at home rather than at a studio with a full team. “At the beginning of the year, I never thought I would be filming workouts at my house,” she said. “I was scared that something would go wrong or that my videos wouldn’t have the same effect as when I was in the studio. After some trial and error, I finally got it down, and it’s really taught me a lesson in trusting myself. I’ve surprised myself with how adaptable I truly am, and I’m better for it.”
Though she started out as a professional dancer, Deja found that she was passionate about boxing
and decided to start a business combining the two. “Dance Out of the Box was born from the idea that no one can put you in a box,” she said. “I created a music-driven workout program designed to make you smile while you sweat! I teach the fundamentals of traditional boxing — it’s mostly shadowboxing techniques mixed into dance moves.”
If you’ve ever worked out — either in person or virtually — with Deja Riley, you know her signature opening line goes something like, “Hello, beautiful people! It is an amazing day to feel good.” But the POPSUGAR Dance FitSugar host and Dance Out of the Box founder has to work at positivity, just like the rest of us, especially throughout the tough year that was 2020. “I still have breath in my lungs and the ability to make change every single day, and I’m thankful for that,” she said. “Do challenges come? Yes, of course. Is every day the best day? No. However, reminding myself of how blessed I am makes it easy for me to get back into a positive mindset when hard times do come.”
That’s why Deja is heading into 2021 with a sense of purpose — she sees it as a moment to refresh, not just her professional goals but her personal practice as well. “I’m thankful that I can look back at 2020 and say, ‘I got through this; I can do anything,’” she said. “I’m going to carry that with me for 2021 and beyond.”
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Why This Fitness Instructor Is Inspiring You to Look at Every Day Like a Reset
