The UK’s first ever Zumba instructor with down’s syndrome is excited to start her new role at Pure Gym in Tyldesley when it opens next month. Hannah Payton was looking for a new space to put on her classes when Pure Gym got in touch to ask her if she could be their Zumba instructor.
The 25-year-old was overwhelmed by the offer and excitedly took her ‘dream role’. She is now hoping that others with learning difficulties can follow in her footsteps. The Atherton resident became a fully qualified instructor back in October 2021.
Hannah decided she wanted to pursue the career as she found Zumba helped with her mental struggles during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Having always been an active person, she really struggled to come to terms with shielding - as having down’s syndrome left her in the vulnerable category. This meant staying inside far more than she would have liked, her mother explained.
“During the pandemic she had to shield because of her condition,” Jutta Payton said. “She was not happy at all so when she discovered online Zumba it was a game changer.
“Then when everything opened up again she started going in person. Her instructor Emma encouraged her to become an instructor herself.
“She loves it. She was always saying that she wanted to become a Zumba instructor and then she did it, so now she is living her dream.
“Zumba helped her through lockdown and now she wants to help others discover it as well. She has even done classes for people with disabilities.
“We hope that this will open the door for more people like Hannah to get involved in this. That is a big ambition for her.”
The Gloucester Street resident went on to say that Hannah has even met the founder of Creative Zumba Beto Perez at the end of last year. At an event she was invited as a special guest and made a speech and danced on stage with Perez himself.
This active lifestyle is something Hannah is accustomed to, she has competed in the Special Olympics since she was 16. Having won ‘countless’ medals of all colours in swimming and badminton, she has since retired after a successful Olympic career.
Hannah competed in freestyle, backstroke and butterfly - her favourite - before moving into badminton. Mum Jutta said she has lost count of how many medals she won competing on the international stage.
The 56-year-old and her husband Mark, 59, are bursting with pride for their daughter, who they believe is an inspiration to all in the community. They want Hannah’s story to inspire others with disabilities to follow in her footsteps.
“We are incredibly proud of her and she is just an inspiration,” she said. “We do hope that other people with disabilities can follow in her footsteps.”
Tom McKeever, Gym Manager at PureGym Tyldesley, said: When we heard about Hannah's story, it really stood out to everyone at PureGym. Our ethos is "Everybody Welcome" and Hannah's pursuit of her dream to become a Zumba instructor couldn't be more in line with our values.
"Having met up with Hannah and her family, her ambition and passion are something to be admired and we have no doubt that our members will benefit hugely from her enthusiasm. We can’t wait for her to cut the ribbon and declare the gym open in late September and we look forward to having her lead classes at PureGym Tyldesley.”
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