Hola, I'm Martha Palacios.
I struggled to find a workout that would keep me moving consistently, and nearly forgot how happy dance made me feel as my younger self.
Everything changed when I realized that I could incorporate the Latin rhythms I love into an effective workout routine unlike any other.
Since then, I'm on a mission to spread the joy of dancing with the world!
My story
In 2015, a series of life events urged me to shift gears. I was experiencing job burnout, chronic low-back pain, and—most importantly—my wonderful dad had just passed away due to complications from diabetes and cardiac conditions. I started exploring my love for dancing and a new-found desire to help people live healthier and happier.
It was my sister who took me to my first Zumba® class. I fell in love with the music, the moves, the instructor’s energy, and with my level of happiness. It was addictive! That first class would change the course of my life.
After becoming a certified group fitness instructor and a licensed Zumba® instructor, I decided to go all in—I quit my full time job in pursuit of a career in fitness.
Social Joy is born
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, I found myself without any of the classes and clients I had worked so hard to secure for the last three years.
I didn't have any experience teaching virtually, but my husband and I figured it out, and we started live-streaming donation-based classes only one week after everything started to shut down. They were a big success!
After months of virtual teaching and with a growing following of students in Texas and beyond, I decided to launch my own fitness brand and membership—Social Joy—on Thursday, September 24th, 2020.
Social Joy is now two years old and is constantly evolving to better serve our community!
