Story & Lesson Highlights with Diana Castillo of Tempe

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Diana Castillo. Check out our conversation below.

Diana, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is more important to me than anything else. If I’m not standing by what I believe to be what is right, just, or true then who am I and how can I follow through with any good energy? I believe intelligence is subjective to a point. Integrity is so important at the end of the day!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Diana and I teach a Brazilian funk cardio dance class called Sensazão on Monday nights at Dance Fitness Tempe! What makes this class so special is that is a high energy class this utilizes so many of your muscles that you may not be used to working, all while learning to dance authentically to the genre of music we are using! So while the roots may have started with Brazilian funk, I do touch on other genres as well such as edm, reggaeton, salsa, and a variety of others. This hour long class is a fun and effective way to get a great workout!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, I truly think my fellow Sensazão instructors did. I’m so appreciative to work alongside such incredible women and I can never express enough how grateful I am to have them. Each of them has been so supportive every step of the way since I first decided I wanted to begin teaching. It’s taken a lot of working on myself to get to where I am today, but I wouldn’t be here without them.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were so many times I almost gave up, all because I was listening to this voice in my head telling myself I wasn’t good enough. I truly can’t count how many times I wanted to give up because I genuinely believed I wasn’t good enough. Luckily, I’m also stubborn and just pushed myself harder to prove to myself I was enough to do what I wanted to do.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
To an extent I’d say so, It’s hard because as a dance fitness instructor I’m “supposed” to be loud and outgoing. I can be that way with people I’m comfortable around, but I’m definitely an introvert who thrives on being home alone curled up with my video games, music, and my pets as company!

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Well, considering I didn’t dance a day in my life before I started on this path I think it’s safe to say I’m doing what I was born to do! I love teaching Sensazão. The energy and smiles it brings to students faces is a whole other level of satisfaction I don’t think any other job would ever bring me. The fact that I can change someone’s day with that short amount of time that I’m given is truly so incredible to me, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://classpass.com/studios/sensazo-dance-fitness-tempe
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianac_ssz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sensazao
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dianc_ssz