Today we’d like to introduce you to Samie Jo Arnold.
Hi Samie Jo, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved movement. Dancing has been part of my life since I was a young child. Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, you name it. Then I was introduced to “dance team” dancing in high school, which was a game changer for me. I loved the art of a group of girls dancing in unison and making visual effects, all while incorporating the technical skills of dance. Soon I started choreographing routines and later found myself in several coaching positions, even an All-Star coach. My love for dance gave me the confidence to try out for the inaugural year of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Football Cheerleading Team, “The Roar,” for which I cheered from 1995-1997. After my career with the Jaguars, I still wanted and needed to move my body. It was my healthy outlet for my day-to-day stresses etc. I began to turn to the fitness industry to fill that void. I soon became a fitness instructor.
For 13 years, I taught fitness in several different arenas, from local gyms to the YMCA, to churches. My primary modality of fitness was Zumba. I was asked to teach Zumba at my church 10 years ago. Now there is nothing wrong with Zumba, hear me on that, but you have to modify a lot of stuff for the church setting, the moves, the music, the spicy lyrics, etc. Because of that, I noticed that my way of teaching was starting to change. A major shift occurred: a shift in my heart, the moves, and the music. So much that some might question, was it even Zumba? There were times I asked myself, but I just kept teaching.
At the beginning of every year, our church does a fast. I love it. It sets the tone for the upcoming year. It helps to get our hearts aligned with God. It enables you to shake off some of those Christmas calories you may have added. So, in January 2020, God did something amazing yet terrifying during our Daniel fast! I was told to lay down the Zumba altar and build up a new fitness altar that was explicitly dedicated to HIM! Huh? What does that even mean? Well, it means I was to build a fitness platform where God led our health and wellness spiritually and physically. I was to start a fitness movement that was solely Christian based.
All those years when I was wondering where my fitness journey was going, God knew all along. He was preparing my heart and mind for what was to come to a ministry where we allow God to lead our wellness, not the world’s wellness, both physically and spiritually. And just like that, a month later, in February 2020, GLOW-which stands for “God Leading Our Wellness,” was founded, formed, and birthed.
GLOW- God Leading Our Wellness was founded on the premise of being a “Women’s Fitness Ministry.” We partner with local churches and their women’s groups to provide free fitness to women to can’t afford a gym membership. In addition, our outreach includes fitness to local women’s recovery centers. Women represent the community, fitness means taking care of our temples (bodies), and Ministry puts God first in all of it.
GLOW-God Leading Our Wellness became a 501(c3) non-profit organization in Feb 2022. We are now on a mission to help women feel loved and confident in the image God made them, and we do that through faith-inspired fitness.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but the journey has been smooth so far.
There are always struggles. If there are no struggles, I wonder if the “thing” would be worth it. One of the biggest struggles is getting churches to see the need for Temple (body) care. A fitness organization like GLOW needs to partner with its women’s groups. I feel churches do an excellent job teaching and preaching “time, talents and treasures,”; but there is always one “T” word they forget. The Temple. Temple care is just as important. I wish leadership in churches could see that a physically healthier congregation would lead to a healthier church mentally and spiritually.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
This may sound dorky, but I still see myself as a professional cheerleader. Even though I was a professional cheerleader at one time, I still feel metaphorically like a professional cheerleader now that I’m a fitness instructor. I’m no longer cheering on a football team or with fans in a huge stadium, per se. But I’m cheering women on daily to help change them from the inside out. I’m cheering women on to love themselves and feel confident in their skin. To see themselves the way God sees them; beautifully, wonderfully, and perfectly made because He made them in His image. Encouraging women in this realm brings me so much joy and fulfillment. I don’t promise women six-pack abs by a specific date or that they will lose this much weight if they do this. We don’t push trends or quick-fix schemes. We push temple care through community and love for each other, knowing that we are all just trying to be the healthiest version of ourselves so we can fulfill the assignments God has for us on this side of heaven. I often refer to our organization as the “cheerleaders of change,” “helping women change from the inside out.” This sets GLOW apart and is what I’m most proud of.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’m simple and realistic. One of my qualities is being a great motivator and encourager by being open, honest, real, and raw with people. I can connect with women more because we are not trying to make Olympians or triathletes out of them. We want them to be able to perform ADLs or Activities of Daily Living. And I motivate women by permitting them not to be perfect. We aren’t going for perfectionism. We strive for progress. And when we fall off the wagon, we encourage each other to do the next best and right thing.
GLOW has the knack for taking something not so fun, working out, and making it fun. Many ladies commented, “I can’t believe an hour has passed already; I was having so much fun.” Our workouts consist of all modalities of fitness—dance, cardio, strength, kickboxing, etc. We use weights, resistance bands, drumsticks, belly beads, and even ribbons. Adding different elements excites the class and allows us to use all our muscle groups. In addition, our classes have a biblical encouragement section. And we only use uplifting Christian music. Most women only get to class once a week to get fitness, faith, and fellowship. These three elements are what make our classes so successful.
Pricing:
- FREE
- Donation Based Only
Contact Info:
- Website: www.godleadingourwellness.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/godleadingourwellness?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glowfitfam
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSF6rqqoXK5q_vf0ALn2vjQ
