Extreme ZumbaDaddy Makeover!

ZumbaDaddy

 

ZumbaDaddy with the Fitness Chica

In my dream I'm standing in front of hundreds of people and Ty from Extreme Home Makeover is screaming at me "Move that bus! Move that bus!" And then, just like that it isn't Ty anymore.  It's Wilson Gutierrez one of my Zumba instructors and he is screaming at me "Move that ass! Move that ass!" Suddenly my body cramps up and I awaken in a cold sweat.  This same dream, or nightmare has played out each night since my first Zumba class last week with the "Fitness Chica Melissa Lopez".  But it's not a nightmare for the reasons you might think.  I actually came through that class in pretty good shape.  Sure I had a couple of aches and pains, but I felt good and the feedback I got back from everyone was positive and encouraging except for two people.  My wife Debbie upon reviewing my exploits shared with me her trademark head shake and declared "You are an idiot! You weren't even moving!" But that didn't bother me.  It was the call I received a day after my post from Wilson Gutierrez, Zumba Instructor/Latin Dance teacher that had shaken my world.  "Joe, we have to do something about you right away or I just can't be a part of Zumba for Life"



Zumba Mafioso

I was stunned to say the least. "Wilson, what are you talking about? It was just my first class, I did the best I could!  The Fitness Chica's class was rocking and tell you the truth it was hard!"  There was a brief pause and then I heard Wilson say "Joe, what are you talking about?  You did fine for a guy your age and with your.....uh....physique.  I was talking about your look.  You just don't look Zumba! and if you don't look Zumba you can't be ZumbaDaddy!"  After noting the similarities between myself and Friar Tuck from the photos taken of me from behind, Wilson layed down the law on me.  "Besides your hair being a mess your mustache looks like a porn-stache from the 70's.  You are dressed all in baggy black which make you look like a Mafioso on a handball court. You are in need of an extreme ZumbaDaddy makeover!  Otherwise the whole event will be in jeopardy!"

Wow! I couldn't believe it. I had simply taken the name ZumbaDaddy.  I never realized the that with such a name comes great responsibility.  "It's not going to be easy.  We have barely a week to get you ready for the photo shoot.  If we can gloss you over enough to get through that then I will have another 4 weeks to get you ready for Zumba for Life.  First the hair.  Who are you fooling?  Shave it real close to let people know it's your choice for "The Look".  Next, the porn-stache.  Trim it, then give it some company by growing some shadow, and accentuate your grey goatee. After all your are the ZumbaDaddy not some adolescent Zumba Wannabe.  Mature and mysterious that's what you are all about.  The black pants we will have to keep for now because we can't do anything about your ass in just a week.  But above the waist we have a shot.  Clearly your belly needs work, a lot of work, but your shoulders are pretty broad and manly and you do carry yourself pretty well.....  I see neon!"  What?  Wilson looked at me and said it again "I see neon!  Zumba is all about attitude, about a look, and about color!  Neon on you says it all.  Dare people to look at you.  I will make you the most interesting ZumbaDaddy in the world!  Dos Equis will beg you to do a commercial for them! You WILL be ZumbaDaddy!"
He had me at neon!  After all this is Wilson, this guy IS Zumba.  He has the attitude and the moves.  His feet move so fast he walked from Jersey to Brooklyn in only 12 minutes.  But more than anything, he has the look.  This dude wears sheer shirts that you can actually see his body through!  He has hundreds and hundreds of followers that take his classes all over the tristate area.  If this is what I have to do, I will do it!  Like I always say ZumbaDaddy is all about credibility, and Joe Gillette is always all in!


Wilson



Makeover Reject

Haircut - Check, Porn-Stache Trim -Check, Shadow Growth - Check, Grey Goatee - Check, Black Pants - Oh Well...Check, Neon - You better believe
it!




ZumbaDaddy Grooming

 



Zumba Ready!

On Sunday morning as we got ready for the photo-shoot for a newspaper preview of Zumba for Life I was ready to reveal the new ZumbaDaddy.  The  spectators, my Relay for Life Committee members, and the press, all gathered round as we began to strike our poses for the photographer.  But my eyes were on one.  As he approached me he nodded his head, grinned and struck his best Zumba pose side by side with me.  He then said the words I had longed to hear "Hello ZumbaDaddy!"



ZumbaDaddy with instructors Phyllis, Gerri and Vanessa