Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Grovey.
Ryan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey started while I was in college. At the time, my father was helping pay for my education, and I thought I had a pretty clear idea of the direction my life was going. Unfortunately, my father passed away, and that loss changed a lot for me. Instead of continuing down the path I originally planned, I found myself going in a completely different direction—and that direction ended up being fitness.
I started teaching Zumba on my college campus, and what began as something I enjoyed quickly grew into something much bigger. I became pretty well known throughout the community for my classes, and that opened doors I never could have imagined when I first started. Over the years, I went on to open three fitness studios, travel and teach internationally, train instructors, and even be featured in a Zumba fitness video game for Xbox.
My journey has also taken me outside of the traditional fitness world. I was featured on Season 18 of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America, and I was selected as a Top 15 Virtual Instructor for HOTWORX. Today, I’m also a personal trainer and group fitness professional working throughout the Scottsdale and Phoenix Valley.
Something people may be surprised to learn about me is that fitness isn’t my only passion. I’ve worked in the funeral industry since I was 16 years old, and I still work at a funeral home here in Sun City. It’s a completely different side of my life, but it’s something I’m extremely passionate about. Working in that industry from such a young age has given me a different perspective on people, life, and the importance of making the most of the time we’re given.
Eventually, all of my experiences in fitness, entertainment, business, and connecting with people led me to create Grovey Effect. What started as my vision for a dance fitness program has continued to grow into an entire brand.
Today, Grovey Effect Dance Fitness allows me to bring my style of dance, energy, and community to people and instructors around the world. We also have JumpFX, our mini-trampoline/rebounding fitness program, which gives people another completely different way to experience fitness.
Then there’s Grovey Effect Events, which takes the same energy and creativity we bring to fitness and turns it into experiences people remember. We create everything from pool parties and baby showers to sip-and-paints and other customized events. I love being able to take someone’s idea and turn it into something magical.
When I look back, it’s crazy to think that so much of this started because my life took an unexpected turn. Losing my father changed the direction I thought I was headed, but that new direction ultimately helped me discover what I was capable of creating.
I’ve learned that your journey doesn’t always have to make sense while you’re living it. Sometimes the unexpected turns become the very things that lead you to your purpose. For me, every chapter—from the funeral industry, to teaching my first fitness classes on a college campus, to opening studios, television, traveling the world, personal training, and eventually creating Grovey Effect—has played a part in getting me to where I am today.
And I still feel like I’m only getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think every challenge has helped shape the person and entrepreneur I am today. One of the biggest turning points in my life happened while I was in college. My father was helping pay for my education, and when he unexpectedly passed away, my life changed completely. I wasn’t able to finish college the way I had planned, and I had to figure out a new direction for myself.
Fitness became that direction. I started teaching Zumba on my college campus, and what began as something I loved quickly grew into a career. I became well known in my community, eventually opened three fitness studios, traveled the world teaching, and had opportunities I never imagined when I first started.
There have also been challenges within the fitness industry itself. I spent years helping build and grow another dance fitness program, developing instructors and creating a strong community, but eventually I had to walk away and start over. That experience was difficult, but it pushed me to bet on myself and build something that truly represented my vision.
Starting over led me to create Grovey Effect and continue expanding into programs like JumpFX and Grovey Effect Events. Entrepreneurship still comes with rejection, financial risks, people not always believing in your vision, and plenty of moments where you have to reinvent yourself. But I’ve learned that sometimes the biggest setbacks are actually redirections. Every time I’ve had to start over, I’ve come back with a bigger vision and an even stronger sense of purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of Grovey Effect. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Grovey Effect is more than just a fitness brand—it’s a community and an experience. I created Grovey Effect Dance Fitness in 2021 with the goal of making fitness feel less like a workout and more like a celebration. Our classes combine dance, music, energy and movement in a way that allows people of different fitness levels and backgrounds to feel successful, confident and welcomed.
Since then, the brand has grown beyond dance fitness. We offer Grovey Effect Dance Fitness, our signature dance-based program; JumpFX, our mini-trampoline/rebounding fitness program; and Grovey Effect Events, where we create customized experiences ranging from pool parties and fitness events to baby showers, sip-and-paints and other special celebrations. I also work as a personal trainer, which allows me to bring another side of health and fitness into what I do.
What sets Grovey Effect apart is the culture behind it. I don’t want someone to walk into one of our classes or events and simply feel like a customer—I want them to feel like they are part of something. We bring together people from different ages, cultures and walks of life through music, movement and positive energy. The brand has also given me opportunities to travel internationally, train instructors and build relationships with fitness communities around the world.
What I’m most proud of is that Grovey Effect was built from the ground up and has continued to evolve. After spending years helping build other fitness programs, I wanted to create something that represented my own vision and personality. Seeing instructors teach Grovey Effect, watching people wear our apparel, seeing our programs reach different communities and countries, and watching people genuinely connect with what we’ve created is incredibly rewarding.
Ultimately, I want people to know that Grovey Effect is a lifestyle. Whether you experience us through dance fitness, JumpFX, personal training or one of our events, the goal is the same: to bring people together, create unforgettable experiences and make people feel good while doing it.
What’s next?
The future for me is really about growth, expansion and creating a legacy. I’ve built Grovey Effect from an idea into a brand, and now I’m focused on taking it to the next level—not only here in Arizona, but nationally and internationally.
One of my biggest goals is continuing to grow Grovey Effect Dance Fitness and JumpFX, certify more instructors and bring our programs into more gyms, fitness facilities and communities around the world. I’ve already had the opportunity to travel internationally through fitness, and I want to continue building those relationships and creating opportunities for other instructors to travel, teach and grow alongside the brand.
I’m also excited about expanding Grovey Effect Events. I love creating experiences, whether it’s a huge fitness event, pool party, corporate event or private celebration. I want that side of the company to become known for taking an idea and turning it into an experience people talk about long after it’s over.
Another major focus is continuing to develop myself outside of my own businesses. I still work as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and I’ve worked in the funeral industry since I was 16. Those may seem like completely different worlds, but they are all important parts of who I am. In different ways, they all allow me to serve people and make an impact during different moments of their lives.
Ultimately, I’m looking forward to continuing to evolve. I’m 37, and I feel like I’m entering a chapter where I understand my purpose, my value and my vision more than ever. I want to keep traveling, creating new programs, building my team and opening doors for other people. I’ve accomplished things that the younger version of me never could have imagined, but I still feel like I’m just getting started.
Pricing:
- $149 Instructor Trainings
- Any budget for events we work with
- JumpFX $250 includes a custom trampoline
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Groveyeffect.com
- Instagram: @ryangrovey
- Facebook: Ryan Grovey
- Youtube: Grovey Effect
