About Mary

My princess and I

I was born in Peru and grew up listening and dancing to wonderful Latin American music.  My dad was a huge fan of the Fania All Stars which was made up of the incomparable Celia Cruz along with Hector Lavoe, Willie Colón, Ray Barreto, Johnny Pacheco, Cheo Feliciano and more.  There wasn’t a single day during my childhood when music was not prevalent.  The summers were even better because the music just got louder!

I first stumbled upon Zumba® after seeing a flyer for a demo class at the Lakeland Hills YMCA.  I liked the description of a class filled with salsa, merengue and reggaeton since by that time I had begun to feel bored with my workouts and still had lots of post-baby weight to lose.  I will never forget that evening when I walked into the room and took my spot toward the front of the room.  I wanted to see what this lady by the name of Kathy Graham was about.  Well, I was blown away!  She ended the class, much to my disappointment I might add, with the same amount of energy she started with.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  I remember leaving the workout room and noticing how fogged up the mirrors were from everyone’s perspiration.  As I walked to my car I was on a natural high and dripping sweat.  My husband had called and asked me to pick up dinner.  I drove a few miles and when I tried to get out of the car my legs were already sore.  I knew I had to go back!

Unfortunately it was a few weeks before Kathy started teaching regularly.  But once she was there on a regular basis I got to know her and began taking her classes at other locations.  I was hooked!  No one else could give me such an intense workout.

A little over two years later I learned she was moving away.  I was very sad to see my friend leave and also because I had a set 6-class schedule with her every week.  Who was going to kick my butt as only Kathy could?  She encouraged me to get licensed and trained me to take over her classes.  Thanks to Kathy, lots of hard work and the support of my fellow Zumba® addicts and my amazing husband I am now teaching and loving it!

I hope to inspire you as Kathy has inspired me and several other fellow instructors.

Zumba® Love Forever!

Mary Massey
Owner of Okiana Designs, LLC

AFAA Group Fitness Certified Instructor
Licensed to teach Zumba® Fitness, Aqua Zumba®, Zumba® Toning, Zumba® Gold and ZumbAtomic®