Hispanic Heritage Month: Body Liberation through Exercise and Dance

Jessie Diaz-Herrera is a dancer, group fitness instructor, and body positivity advocate who has dedicated her career to exploring and celebrating all bodies in dance. She is the cofounder and CEO of Power Plus Wellness, a Latina-owned business curating private movement classes and events for plus-sized bodies to jiggle freely, unlearn diet culture and joyfully co-regulate in a safe community. 

ACE: Can you tell me a little bit about the type of work you do as an exercise professional? 

Jessie: Yes, of course! My name is Jessie, and I’m a group fitness instructor and co-founder of Power Plus Wellness, where we curate private wellness events for plus-size communities to access fitness and healing, free from diet culture. I’ve been involved in sports and dance my whole life—from dancing in studios and on stages to playing softball and rugby—so I’ve always been active and in a plus-size body. My mission is to show that athletes come in all shapes and sizes, and my goal is to help more people fall in love with movement beyond focusing on appearance. 

ACE: Your Instagram account (@CurvesWithMoves) is a “body positive page which encourages men and women to love their bodies through dance, affirmations, and more.” Why is body positivity so important to you? How do you think that provides a different type of fitness experience for your clients?

Jessie: I talk more about body liberation than body positivity these days because I believe that to truly feel good in our bodies, we must be liberated from the idea that they need to conform to societal norms. We know that health is influenced by a combination of factors—physical activity, nutrition—but also mental well-being, sleep, genetics, environmental conditions and access to healthcare. So instead of focusing on external changes, my mission is to emphasize how liberated our bodies can feel when we move in ways that bring us joy. 

For example, strength training makes me feel powerful, something you might not see from the outside as a plus-size trainer. Swimming gives me a sense of peace and playfulness—experiences that bring joy to our bodies. As plus-size folks, we’re often conditioned to shrink ourselves, especially in fitness spaces, when in reality, we deserve to take up space and move in ways that feel good. Don’t wait on your weight to do the things that bring you joy—do it with the body you have now. Your body deserves joyful movement. 

ACE: Does your heritage inform the work you do? If so, how? 

Jessie: I’m really proud to be part of a Latina-owned company, alongside other Latinas in leadership and on our team at Power Plus Wellness. In a space where fitness often feels dominated by a certain aesthetic, we are claiming our place. Culture influences fitness by shaping attitudes, beliefs and practices around physical activity. For many Latine folks, dancing is woven into the fabric of life. It’s a part of nearly every celebration, centering on joy and family. Dancing with my family has given me countless joyful memories, and it’s why I continue to dance and teach dance fitness to this day. I build community through dance. 

ACE: What lessons have you learned from working with your clients? Do you have any tips or strategies to share with pros who are interested in doing similar work? 

Jessie: Fitness is for everyone, but not every fitness program is for every body. I truly believe in modifying and/or finding the right workout for each individual. A body-affirming perspective means meeting clients where they are and embracing modifications or alternative movements that feel good to them. Not everyone finds joy in dancing or running on a treadmill, and that’s perfectly okay. Some people light up when they swim or take a leisurely walk in nature or feel empowered lifting weights. The most important thing is to create space for people to explore movement in a way that feels joyful and empowering, without the pressure of conforming to unrealistic standards. 

ACE: Finally, is there anything else you’d like to highlight about yourself, your work or your experience in the fitness industry? 

Jessie: I truly believe the work we do in fitness goes beyond movement—it’s about building meaningful connections that nourish both physical and mental wellness. A wide range of research shows that positive, supportive relationships are key to improving overall well-being and even longevity. That’s why creating inclusive, welcoming spaces is so important to me. 

At Power Plus Wellness, we take pride in cultivating loving, open-minded and judgment-free environments that are trauma-informed, weight-neutral and body-curious. We want everyone—no matter their size, shape, or experience—to feel empowered to explore movement and thrive! 

If you are interested in learning more about how to create a more inclusive and size-friendly fitness space, consider A Space for Every Body: Addressing Weight Bias in the Fitness Industry (worth 0.1 ACE CECs). You’ll learn from a panel of experts about how to communicate with clients of all motivations, goals and body types, as well as how to identify and use proper terminology, tone, exercises and modifications to create more inclusive programs.