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Cerissa, MSW

@glowwithcerissa

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Hip Hop Dance Fitness + Events
Helping women train confidence through movement, mindset and community.
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👀Let’s talk about the journey of just getting started.

If you’re new here—or you’ve been rocking with me for a minute—let me give you the tea, chile. 😂

I taught my very first dance fitness class on July 29, 2022 in the park. About 15 women showed up, and I just knew I was on to something.

So of course I planned another pop-up.

Y’all… only 4 people came.

Baby, I was discouraged. I started questioning everything. What did I do wrong? Was the first class just beginner’s luck?

But I didn’t quit.

Instead, I started reaching out to gyms, trying to find a place where I could teach consistently.

Whew… the amount of “no’s” I heard.

I went from gym to gym, trying to get someone to give me a chance.

Eventually, I taught at a few gyms and a dance studio. The classes were still small, but I had a few loyal regulars who kept showing up.

Then life happened…

I took a whole year off and honestly had no plans to teach again anytime soon- I was over it, for real.

But God had other plans.

A girl I knew reached out and asked if I wanted to get certified in a different dance fitness format.

I said, “You know what? Why not?” I figured it was a chance to get back to the basics and sharpen my skills as an instructor.

That one decision changed everything.

I got certified.

I found a place that truly felt like home.

I started building a real community, collaborating with local organizations and brands, teaching at wellness events, block parties, festivals, and community events.

Looking back, I realize none of it was wasted.

Not the small classes.

Not the rejection.

Not the break.

Not even the self-doubt.

Every season was preparing me for the next one.

So if you’re in your “just getting started” era, this is your reminder: don’t let slow growth convince you you’re on the wrong path.

Sometimes the process is building you before it builds the platform.

Keep showing up.

Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s—and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be, babes✨

#fitness #motivation #wellness #growth #fyp by @glowwithcerissa

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12 days ago

First time taking class?👀

Listen… it’s really no pressure. It’s a judgment-free zone. I always tell my class it’s not a dance audition, chile 😭 just do what movement feels good and OWN it. Plus I give high fives, lots of encouragement, and I’ll be cueing you through it.

We are building confidence one dance step at a time.

Let’s GLOW crazy! ✨

📸 : @glow.with.ris 🔥

#fyp #dance #fitness #wellness #rdu by @glowwithcerissa

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a month ago

This morning was AMAZING !! 🖤🤍
Footage from my Mixxedfit class at @fabletics is coming soon ! 🔥🔥 #dancefitness #dancecardio #dancefitnessinstructor #healthandwellness #wellness #health #cardio #mentalhealth #selfcare taken in Fabletics by @glowwithcerissa

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3 years ago

✨All of our besties are invited to Move & Mingle with @glowwithcerissa!

Join us for Darkness RISING: Move & Mingle!
Move & Mingle is where movement meets community. This movement series features fun classes led by INCREDIBLE instructors. We’re kicking off with hip hop cardio led by Glow with Cerissa, our featured movement instructor from NC Darkness RISING: Live 9 . Every class is designed to help you move your body, boost your mood, and connect with others.

After class, stick around to mingle, build community, and learn about free wellness resources and programs available through @darknessrisingproject and our community partners.

📅 Tuesday, August 4th
6:30 - 7:30pm
📍 Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC

Register now: 🔗 in bio or darknessrisingproject.org

#fitness #workout #wellness #healing taken in United States by @glowwithcerissa

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a day ago

👀 Ya’ll ready for Move & Mingle?

Darkness RISING: Move & Mingle is where movement meets community. This movement series features fun fitness classes led by local instructors. We’re kicking it off with Hip Hop Cardio led by the FIERCE @glowwithcerissa, our featured movement instructor from NC Darkness RISING: Live 9!

Cerissa’s class will get you moving for real! Come workout, boost your mood + connect with folks. This wellness workshop includes time to mingle, build community, & learn about free wellness resources and programs available through @darknessrisingproject & community partners.

🗓️BE THERE:
Tuesday 8/4
6:30pm
Hayti Heritage Center
Durham, NC

About Cerissa:
Cerissa brings a lifelong passion for dance and a purpose to help others. By day, she’s a dedicated social worker, guiding and advocating for individuals as they navigate life’s challenges.Beyond her work, she lights up the community as a high-energy dance fitness instructor. Her classes are more than a workout—they’re an experience. A space to connect, and build confidence through movement. Cerissa empowers people to prioritize their well-being, show up boldly, and step fully into who they are.

Limited spots!
Register now: 🔗 in bio or via Eventbrite

#fitness #workout #wellness #hiphop #cardio taken in Hayti Heritage Center/St. Joseph's Historic Foundation, Inc. by @glowwithcerissa

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8 days ago

We asked our instructors what fitness and wellness is all about and this is what they am had to say!!!

Turn the volume way up!!!

#raleigh #fitflowfenton #wellnesscommunity #cary taken in FentonNC by @glowwithcerissa

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11 days ago

Y’all got a minute? 👀 It won’t take me long, lol. I just had an ah-ha moment and wanted to share!🥰

Soooo… after I taught class last night, I stayed and danced just because. No cueing. No teaching. Just joy.

I’m sharing this because it made me think about my fellow creatives who monetize off their gifts.

Don’t forget to enjoy your gift for yourself, too. Sometimes we get so focused on creating, serving, and pouring into others that we forget to simply experience the thing that brought us here in the first place.

Before the schedules, the content, and the hustle… there was love for the art itself.

Share your gift freely, but keep returning to the feeling that made you fall in love with it. That’s where the magic lives. ✨

🧠: @dreapc24 🔥🔥

Let’s GLOW Crazy✨

#dance #fitness #artist #fypage by @glowwithcerissa

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16 days ago

What y’all don’t see is the million things running through my head while I’m teaching. Multi-hyphenate is an understatement 😂

I’m cueing counts, hyping y’all up, and having a whole internal group chat at the same time.

“Do they feel seen?”
“Are they having fun?”
“Wait… is this the wrong sports bra?”
“Baby my knees are talking back to me.”

And somehow I still keep it cute and make it through the class, chile.

Instructors… y’all relate or is it just me?

Let’s GLOW Crazy✨

#dance #fitnessmotivation #fitness #instructor #workout by @glowwithcerissa

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21 days ago

This week’s WCW goes to a woman who is helping others heal, grow, and step fully into their power.

For the past 11 years, she has dedicated her career to supporting young adults as they navigate life’s challenges and transition into adulthood. And when she’s not doing that, she’s creating spaces through dance fitness where people can move their bodies, build confidence, find community, and reconnect with themselves.

What I admire most is how deeply rooted she is in her purpose.

Her journey into social work wasn’t just a career choice, it was a calling. Having experienced seasons where she didn’t always feel seen, nurtured, or like she truly belonged, she made it her mission to be the person who reminds others that they matter, they belong, and they are already enough.

That same heart shows up in everything she does.

Whether she’s supporting young adults through life’s transitions or leading a dance fitness class, her goal is the same: helping people feel more confident, more connected, and more like themselves.

She’s also incredibly honest about her own journey. One of the biggest challenges she’s overcome is self-doubt. Learning to trust herself, stop shrinking, and fully embrace her place in the rooms she’s already earned the right to be in. And now? She moves differently.

One thing she said that really stuck with me:

“Start with what you have. Work with what you’ve got. Don’t wait for perfect conditions or perfect motivation—just begin.”

THAT part 👏🏼

Because so often we think we need more time, more resources, or more confidence before we start. But the truth is, growth happens when we take action with what we already have.

Women like this are exactly why I created She Thrives 101.

To spotlight women who are walking in their purpose, creating meaningful impact, and helping others become the best version of themselves.

Go show Cerissa some love because she’s changing lives through service, movement, and the reminder that confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build💖

@glowwithcerissa

#femaleempowerment #wcw #wcwhighlight #femalepodcast #raleighnc taken in Raleigh, North Carolina by @glowwithcerissa

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a month ago

📍 Fenton Cary 🗓️ August 8th
⏰ Festival Hours: 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
✨ GLOW with Cerissa: 10:00–10:30 AM

Chile, we are back with another one!

Your girl is bringing the energy to Fit + Flow at Fenton, and I need y’all to pull up! Join GLOW with Cerissa for a high-energy dance fitness cardio class that combines easy-to-follow dance moves with cardiovascular exercises for a full-body workout that’ll have you moving, vibing, and feeling good- do you hear me?!!🥵

Listen, this class is for everybody—ya mama, ya cousin, ya homegirl, ya coworker, and yes, YOU too! Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to move your body, this space is for you.

No dance experience. No pressure. Just good vibes, good music, and a whole lot of confidence-building one dance step at a time.

Meet me at Fenton and let’s GLOW crazy!😝✨

#fitness #wellness #cary #fenton #rdu by @glowwithcerissa

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a month ago

🔊Y’all… I’m still on a high from the Darkness Rising event! ✨

And if you know me, it’s always the PEOPLE for me.

The conversations. The smiles. The hugs. The connections. The sense of community. That’s the stuff that fills my cup every single time.

This is why I do what I do. Because everybody deserves to feel seen. Everybody deserves to feel valued. Everybody deserves a space where they can show up exactly as they are and just be.

Movement brought us together, but the community is what made it special. 💛

A huge thank you to my GLOfit Babes for always rocking with me and showing up with love, energy, and good vibes. Y’all are truly the best!

And thank you to Darkness Rising for having me as your wellness workshop dance fitness instructor. What a beautiful day of connection, movement, and pouring into one another.

#fyp #community #dance #fitness #northcarolina by @glowwithcerissa

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2 months ago

Baby, JUNE IS LOADING... 🔥

Your Wednesday Turn Up is officially on the calendar!😝

Come sweat, dance, laugh, and glow with me all month long. No dance experience needed—just bring your energy and be ready to have a good time.

📍 Glow Fitness 📍 1924 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608 💰 $25 Drop-In

We’re building confidence, community, and cardio one beat at a time. Grab your girls and meet me on the dance floor!

#dance #raleigh #fyp #cardio by @glowwithcerissa

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2 months ago