Meet Our Muse: Desiree Guitian!

Desiree is one of those special individuals who understands what life is about, who works hard to show up for herself and others and inherently inspires others through that magical spirit (us included!) Read on to learn more about how Desiree came to become a muse to us and her community!

mymuse: Please share how you discovered your love and talent for dancing and instructing!

Desiree: I fell in love with dance when I was a young girl but didn’t step into my first dance class until I was 24. After I took my first class that’s when I knew this was a journey I wanted to embark on. So I trained myself at home and the only professional training I got was from taking classes at Broadway Dance Center from professional choreographers.

After a year of starting this journey and training, I finally decided to start auditioning for gigs. 305 (Fitness) was one of my first auditions and since I’ve been an instructor there, my life has completely changed.

Teaching at 305 is when I discovered my love for instructing. The feeling I get when I can connect to people is indescribable. I'm at an all time high! There are so many challenges, many moments of growth, and so much happiness that happens just in one class.I feel so grounded and relatable when we are all pushing for that final 30 seconds. It’s amazing how we can discover how powerful we truly are.

Our minds are how we control our bodies, and I love how our spirit takes over when our bodies and minds feel like giving up. When I first experienced clients pushing past the limits they created for themselves and I was a part of that push, that's when I truly fell in love with instructing. The fact that I am lucky enough to help people along their journey is a gift I never want to take for granted.

Can you share your journey and how you went from basketball to fitness and dance?

Fitness has always been a part of my life. My whole family is full of athletes so I knew fitness was going to be a forever thing for me. I just never knew what my life would look like after basketball and in the fitness industry, but who does anyway right?

After high school, I went off to play college ball in Canada. It was a great experience and I feel like team sports teaches you so much about life. It teaches you how to persevere, how to get back up when you fall, and how to work and communicate with others.

Once I was done with college, I came back to NY and felt lost for a few years doing a whole bunch of sales jobs that could and would never feed my soul.

For my 24th birthday my friend surprised me and took me to my first dance class at Broadway Dance Center. That's when I discovered my passion for dance. It was terrifying but I knew this was something I wanted to do and try no matter the obstacles.

Fitness and dance go hand in hand with 305, that was shortly discovered once I got the job and started teaching at 305 fitness.

Dance and fitness have always been in me. I'm just now showing that side of me to the outside world and I am loving all of it. I embrace all the good and the bad that comes with this lifestyle and I wouldn't change any of it for the world!

as a physical artist, what do you need in order to do your best work?  

I’m pretty simple, there are only 2 things I need to do my best work. Mediation and music, it aligns me, grounds me, and motivates me.

Meditation is a necessity for me to be able to do my best work. I need that time in the morning to align myself and prepare myself to take on whatever the day has in store for me.

You can never go wrong with a good playlist ready to go. Music is magical and is all I need for a good pick me up or just to get my head straight.  

what work do you most enjoy doing?

I enjoy teaching dance cardio the most. There is no higher feeling for me. 

and what are you most excited about now?

I am most excited about my business that I just started called Wellology with Desiree Giselle. Wellology means the knowledge of wellness. My purpose with my company is to spread knowledge, inform people on how to live a healthy full life, and share ideas backed up on research on how to heal physically, meantally, and spiritually. I believe in all medicines, it's just all about how you use them. 

what was the first moment you realized that you inspire and uplift others?

I constantly forget that I am inspiring others because I am always trying to live in the moment and not live to inspire. I am reminded when people express to me how I inspire them and it’s always a bit of a shock but so great to hear. It’s a reminder I am living in my purpose which is to help those in need, share my love, and inspire whoever I can. 

 what are some sources of inspiration for/what inspires you?

I try to find my inspiration by letting it find me through living this beautiful life I am gifted to live. Inspiration comes in many different forms for me and I embrace them all.

I can get inspired by just sitting in silence by the water and allowing my mind to dream of everything I wish to be and see.

I am inspired by the gift of music and all the artists out there creating it.

I am inspired by people from all walks of life.

I am inspired by a smile I get from the someone I pass on the street.

I find inspiration through our planet watching flowers bloom, watching bees pollinate, our birds migrate, and so much more.

Life is all about perspective and what lens you choose to look through. 

as a muse yourself who definitely inspires others (us included!) what would be the next level a "dream level" of your work?

One of my dreams and a goal I am currently working on is to create a wellness center that has fitness classes, dance classes, juice and smoothie bars, daycare for the kids, physical therapy, and a few other things. This goal of mine is a ten-year goal and getting my LLC this year is just the beginning.

 On a smaller scale I would love to go on tour and dance all over the world with one of my favorite artists, Becky G! I have yet to book a tour and I am looking forward to that experience when it happens. 

who is your muse, or some of your muses?

My muse is my grandmother. She taught how to give and how to love others unconditionally and that's something that I will cherish and practice forever! This woman lives her life to the fullest with grace and a huge smile on her face. She knows what struggle is and still finds ways to be generous. She appreciates everything this life has to offer and is not afraid to show it. She's the type of woman to give you the clothes off her back and walk beside you with a smile as she cracks jokes. She is my muse! 

Finish this sentence: The world would be a better place if there was/were more _____. 

… more people who took the time to take care of themselves and take responsibility for how they make themselves and others feel.

What would you like our community to know about you?

I would love for the community to know that I am not perfect, but I am here embracing all my imperfections and I'll be here to help you embrace yours.

I want to help others because being there for other people helps me show up for myself. We are all connected and I am not afraid of that. 

where can we learn more about you?

IG: @desireegiselle 

Nutrition IG: @desirees.dishes 

Website coming soon :)