Luiza Mustafina — Zumba Instructor & Community Connector, Sydney

The Motivate Collective — Episode Transcript (Grammar-Corrected)

Guest: Luiza Mustafina Episode number: 99

Note: Grammar, false starts, filler words, and duplicated words have been cleaned up for readability. No wording or meaning has been altered from the original recording. Timestamps below are drawn from the source file and should be treated as approximate until confirmed against the final edit.

⚠️ Content note: This episode includes a brief, candid discussion of grief and loss — Luiza shares that her aunt passed away from breast cancer, and Melanie shares the loss of her grandmother. The conversation is warm and supportive throughout, but listener discretion is noted per standing show policy.

Melanie Suzanne Wilson (00:00): Louisa, welcome so much to the podcast. Welcome.

Luiza (00:05): Thank you so much for having me.

Melanie (00:07): I'm so excited. You are episode ninety-nine, and you're a local in Sydney, and you bring people together in community.

Luiza (00:16): I do. That's, in fact, a big passion, a huge passion of mine — bringing people together through dancing, having events that make people dance, but also it's more about connection, and just being part of a group of people who are passionate about the same thing.

Melanie (00:38): They're passionate.

Luiza (00:39): Very passionate.

Melanie (00:40): You were telling me before I clicked record that you're doing all sorts of programs with dance — you have a retreat coming up. Let's tell everybody about the various programs and projects you have running.

Luiza (00:54): Thank you, Mel, for asking. I was telling you a little bit of my story — it started off as one Zumba class a week. That's how I started. I became an instructor, and I just love dancing, that's my passion. Then all of a sudden I've got all these women pouring into my classes, and I realized what I was missing in my life, other people were missing in their lives as well. So it started off as, okay, let's reconnect with our passion for dancing, but it became so much more. Since then, I not only run my own private Zumba classes, but my friend and I also organize dance parties — free-form social dancing in local communities. We've done a few last year and this year, and it's always such a great vibe — people pouring in from all over the local community, making new friends, and doing what we all love, which is dancing.

I also organize, along with my friend, the Sydney Zumba Festival twice a year, and that's been a huge success, because we realized people not only want to dance, they also want to perform. That's how Sydney Zumba Festival started — we allowed our attendees to become performers on stage and live out their childhood dreams of dancing on stage in front of a huge crowd. From then on we also became part of a dance cruise team, taking a group of people who absolutely love Zumba on a cruise — we did one last year, and another one's coming up in March 2027. And recently we've also ventured into a Bali Zumba Retreat, coming up in September, which is sold out — though we're already planning our next one for next year. Like I mentioned, Mel, it's all about bringing people together. It's not about being coordinated, it's not about becoming the best performer in the audience — it's all about really enjoying and connecting with others and having a lot of fun.

Melanie (03:20): Connecting with people — what inspired you to have that focus and that goal?

Luiza (03:29): When I started my own Zumba class, I realized that when people come to my class — which is about ninety-nine percent women — they don't just come to dance and get a bit of cardio exercise, which Zumba is, basically — it looks like dancing, but you're actually working out pretty hard. I realized people don't just come for that — they find friendships, they become lifelong friends, after class we go out for dinner, they ask me if I could organize social events. That's how I realized people really miss that — finding friendships, finding people who love the same things they do, kind of the same personality, a little bit extroverted. And that's how I realized, my gosh, Zumba isn't just dancing, it's actually bringing people together and creating those connections between people.

Melanie (04:38): This is why I'm so glad you'll be at the celebration for the podcast's anniversary on the 27th of August — it's another opportunity to bring everybody together. I'm so grateful to you, and to Sarah Harding, and to others who are nurturing community in Sydney. There are so many forms of community, so many ways to gather together, and you're showing that people still want that — we want human connection.

Luiza (05:11): Yep, absolutely. All my social media — if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram — a lot of the content is about that: connection, friendships, a little bit of self-development and improvement, but it's really about how we can support each other, how we can be there for each other, whether it's hard times or celebrations. It's really, really important to have those connections. I often read stories on social media, especially in Facebook groups, particularly mom Facebook groups, where women over forty quite often feel isolated because they've raised their families, focused on their careers, and become caught up in this wheel of constantly work, home, trying to get everything done for the children. Often women put themselves last, and then lose connection with their friends, and after some time they realize, my gosh, I actually don't have any friends. I read these posts sometimes and feel so sad for these women, and I think — just find something you really like and go there. It doesn't have to be Zumba, doesn't have to be dancing — there's so much out there in our community: choirs, fitness groups, yoga groups, women's circles. I know Angelique too — I don't know if you know Angelique Kramer — she's one of the people in the community who's always organizing different things, like games nights, trivia. It's amazing that people can do that in our community, and I think it's really important to continue that. Our communities always need people like yourself, like Sarah — Sarah keeps running Voice of Mosman. It's sometimes tough to get people to attend, but we persist, because we know it's very, very needed.

Melanie (07:23): It is needed. How long have you been in Sydney?

Luiza (07:27): Since 2015. Before that I lived in New Zealand for nine years, and originally I came all the way from Russia. Since 2005 I've been living in New Zealand and in Sydney. I've just recently become an Australian citizen, so Australia is definitely home now, and that's why I'm very invested — very invested in the community and in what I'm doing.

Melanie (07:56): Congratulations.

Luiza (07:57): Thank you.

Melanie (07:58): How did it feel to become a citizen?

Luiza (08:01): It felt really surreal, because for a long time I wasn't planning to become an Australian citizen — I already have New Zealand citizenship. But my son, who's sixteen, is a swimmer, does competitive swimming, and his dream is to become an Olympic swimmer for Australia. He told me, "Mom, you have to get citizenship so I can actually be an Australian citizen too" — so I said, okay, no problem. But when I actually completed the entire journey, I was very touched by the ceremony, and I really felt that responsibility of becoming a citizen. I absolutely love that — it's great.

Melanie (08:55): It's amazing. And if you're already a New Zealand citizen, it feels like a technicality — there was a time in history when one passport would get you into both countries.

Luiza (09:06): Absolutely, I didn't really need to, but I chose to, because I thought, for one thing, for my son, and also I thought, well, Australia's home — might as well make it official.

Melanie (09:17): Yes, it is. It's home. Did you find that forming community gives you a chosen family, so to speak — you find your people in community?

Luiza (09:32): Absolutely, and it became natural to me, because since I arrived in Sydney, I worked in Mosman, in a childcare center, for many years. Then I moved to Neutral Bay and worked there too, as a director of a childcare center, for many years. So naturally I already knew a lot of people who live in Neutral Bay and Mosman communities. And when I became a Zumba instructor — I do my full-time job during the day and after hours I go teach Zumba — through Zumba I met so many people, not just in our area but across Sydney and in other cities as well. I just love doing that. I love being a connector.

Melanie (10:21): Be a connector — that's a good line, I want that to go on social. Everybody can be a connector, and you're setting a great example — we can have a day job and work commercially within our passion alongside that.

Luiza (10:39): Absolutely. I have to say, if you do that, you need so much discipline, and you need to be laser-focused, because I put a hundred percent into my full-time job — it's very important to me, the impact I create through that. I'm working now as an operations manager for an early childhood provider, and the impact I create supporting those services, I know how important it is, so I put a hundred percent in. But I still need to find time to do all my marketing and sales and organization for Zumba and the events as well. So there are long hours — I have to be honest about that. I get up at 5:30 a.m. and work before work, I do Zumba after hours, and I often do a lot of my content on Saturday and Sunday. But I do also have this non-negotiable rule of taking rest and taking breaks, because otherwise you burn out, and I don't want that. I always encourage other people, through my social media content too — take breaks, don't feel like you have to always be on, you need to switch off as well, and it's really, really important. For my participants who come to my Zumba class, it's their time — when they come to class, it's like, okay, the world doesn't exist, it's me, music, and dancing, that's it. That's part of their self-care. So when I go to Zumba, obviously I teach people and support them — I have to take some time for myself to do other things too. I go to the gym, have meetups with my friends, do other things that fill my cup as well.

Melanie (12:48): You do things that aren't work when you're filling your cup.

Luiza (12:53): Yes, correct.

Melanie (12:55): You must have a very strict calendar then, to fit everything in and fit the breaks in too. Do you find that scheduling your breaks is part of how you make it happen?

Luiza (13:08): A hundred percent. Usually around October, November, I do a yearly planner for the next year — I've been doing this for four years in a row, and I have to admit, it's been a life-changing experience. I learned that through a business network called Business Blueprint, which I was part of for a number of years — I learned that skill, and it absolutely helps, because I plan everything: big events, holidays, birthdays, but also I include rest. Every Sunday I've got a schedule for self-care activities, and gym, and everything goes into my yearly schedule. It sounds a bit "my gosh," but once you put it in, it actually makes your life so much easier — because if people call me up and say, "can you do this gig," I look at my calendar and say, "unfortunately I already have something on." That makes my life so much easier to plan, to anticipate what's coming, and to fit more in.

Melanie (14:20): Yes, everything goes into the calendar — even for this, you made it clear, we have 4:30, that's what there is. When you get precise with your timing, I'm curious whether you've experienced that moment where other people might be less precise with their time, because they don't need to be, and we almost need to set that expectation, or focus on the people who are precise with time, because —

Luiza (14:45): Mm-hmm.

Melanie (14:46): — that's how to fit everything in.

Luiza (14:50): Yes, but I'm also quite flexible — if there are people running late, or coming early, I allow for that too, because I know human nature isn't always straightforward. Through my line of work, I work with a lot of people in early childhood, and I understand human nature quite well, so I allow for those kinds of moments — it's okay, some people are like that, I accept it.

Melanie (15:23): Fair enough. And it's worth acknowledging that your industry is very lucky to have you, because you're considering human nature and you also value community — that's something that's needed in education, and of course everywhere.

Luiza (15:42): Yes. And I also believe self-awareness is the first step to anything — to being a good leader or a good follower, you need to understand yourself first. That's why I spent many years learning how to be a better self, how to manage emotions, how to communicate better, how to accept feedback, how to give feedback — it really helps me in all aspects of my life. That awareness — I know when I need a bit of distance from someone, or when I need to create a closer connection, I just feel it, because I'm very self-aware of my own reactions, my own responses. It's really important to me — that's why part of my social media content is also about self-awareness and how to manage emotions.

Melanie (16:40): I see the self-awareness — that's not something I would have linked with people who focus on Zumba and exercise, but it makes sense, because you value exercise and community, and being aware of your body, how you feel when you're doing activities, when you're connecting with people. Is that essential to doing those things, along with everything else?

Luiza (17:12): Very, very essential. Absolutely. Because when my energy is low, when I'm down, feeling sad or angry or anything other than content and happy, people who come to my class will feel that — they'll immediately sense it, and then they won't enjoy the class as much. That's why I have to be so mindful of my own energy level, why I'm so mindful of taking breaks and resting — because if I'm empty, I cannot give from an empty cup. That's why I keep teaching other people too — you can say to me, "I'm so busy, I'm running from one thing to another," and it's okay to be busy, but do you actually ensure you have time to refill yourself? Because you cannot give from the empty cup.

Melanie (18:03): That's true, that's true. You need to be able to overflow. Have you ever felt so passionate about what you do that you had to remind yourself to take a break?

Luiza (18:14): A hundred percent. This weekend I was in Melbourne with my partner and his daughter, and we had so much fun, it was great — but I was also working in between everything else, and at some point I told myself, okay, put the phone down, stay present with the family, because work never stops, there are always little things you have to constantly do. It's about being mindful of not overdoing it, because in the end it's not going to be helpful to anyone if you run yourself into the ground and burn out.

Melanie (18:57): Fair enough. It sounds like it's quite normal for a lot of us founders to check on things throughout the day, but we just have to remember to breathe as well.

Luiza (19:09): Yes, absolutely.

Melanie (19:11): This is such a fascinating conversation, because I expected to talk about exercise, but it's becoming a conversation about being a founder, and that's so powerful, as this podcast looks at self-care for work. What do you say to people who are thinking of creating something new — a group, a class, or something completely different? They're wondering how to start. Did you start this completely on your own? Were you getting help from anybody? What's the first step?

Luiza (19:50): For me, I didn't start completely on my own, because before I became a Zumba instructor, I used to go to another Zumba instructor's class, and that's how I became passionate — I saw her energy, how she gave 200% each time, and I loved it. She inspired me to become an instructor, and she also mentored me, gave me the space, gave me the opportunity to practice in her class before I opened my own. That gave me confidence to start in a really good way. I feel like for any founder starting something new, you need people who will back you — and not necessarily even if you're doing it as a sole trader, on your own, you still need to surround yourself with people who can give you support, suggestions, tools, and skills. You still need to do a lot of work yourself, but you need to surround yourself with like-minded people. That's why I have people in my life like Sarah Harding, and a lot of others like that — Business Blueprint was part of my journey too, and I had multiple mentors and coaches along the way, each of whom contributed to my journey and my success. I learned from them, applied the skills, and that's how I became successful — and I'm still becoming successful, it's not like you can say, "okay, now I'm successful," you're constantly on the journey, there's always the next level. But as founders, we always need people around us.

Melanie (21:41): You need people around you — the sound dropped there, but I trust it'll be fixed in the edit — we need people around us, that's the top lesson. I believe we evolved to be social creatures — do you agree?

Luiza (21:59): A hundred percent, yes.

Melanie (22:00): We need to — that's step one, really. Okay, let's go to a Zumba class — I'll ask questions about the actual activity.

Luiza (22:13): Go for it, yeah.

Melanie (22:14): For those who haven't been to a Zumba class, what are they getting into?

Luiza (22:18): Like I mentioned, it's a fitness program, not a dance class the way you might think of a salsa, bachata, or jazz class — you won't be taught routines. We do a high-intensity class, and a slightly lower-intensity one on Monday, my beginners class — I call it beginners because I keep it a bit lower intensity, with slightly fewer changes and transitions, so it's easier to follow. It's about twelve to thirteen fast-paced songs — we start with a warm-up, then move into different rhythms: some salsa, some bachata, but also rock and roll, swing, Arabic pop, any kind of rhythm under the sun. I try to include all of them in different ways, so each class is unique — none of them repeat the previous class, I always introduce new songs. I also ask my participants what they like to listen to — they might say, "I love this song by Shakira," and I say, "okay, let's do that one," and we're always doing different things.

I also enjoy doing a bit of dress-up during class — sometimes belly-dancing scarves, sometimes hats, sometimes pom-poms and things — it adds a bit more fun, injects something different. You should see the faces of people who put on the dress-ups — everyone becomes a little child who always dreamt of being Princess Jasmine or something, everyone absolutely loves it. So I try to keep it interesting and fresh each time. The class runs for forty-five minutes, but by the time it finishes, everyone goes, "my gosh, it's forty-five minutes already, I can't believe it's gone so fast." At the end we do a cooldown and stretch — stretch is very important too, because it allows your body and muscles a good stretch, especially for those of us who work in offices or drive a lot, constantly sitting — that's not good as we get older, because our joints lose mobility. So when we move and dance, we actually protect our joints from later-life issues. That's why we do dancing and the stretch at the end — it helps with overall wellness and physical body development.

Melanie (25:23): The stretch is helping us to be okay in the long term — that's insight. The other thing that really got my attention is how much fun you have. It sounds like being active doesn't have to be so serious.

Luiza (25:39): No, absolutely not. I do also go to the gym and lift weights, because it's important for us to stay strong as we get older — I always do that, but I go with my partner, and we usually make jokes, make it a bit more fun. If you're doing it on your own, it can become a bit repetitive and boring — that's why a lot of people, after some time, drop out. As human beings, we always want something new, variety, something exciting — that's how our brain works, that's when we get the dopamine hit, when we see something new and try something different. Zumba is like that — there's always something exciting going on.

Melanie (26:29): Okay, that makes sense. This is a lesson we can bring into almost any form of exercise or movement routine — I'm saying it that way because I practice more yoga than what you're doing with dance, and I'd love to, I look forward to experiencing your dance soon. But whatever form people take with their movement, I feel inspired by what you're saying about needing the variety, needing to mix things up.

Luiza (27:07): A hundred percent. And we do love routine as well — people always love routine, everyone thrives on predictability and certainty. That's why the certainty and predictability I provide is that classes are always at the same time, in the same locations — Monday in Mosman, at Mosman Village Church Hall, 6:30, and Neutral Bay Club, 6:30, on a Wednesday. That's it — because that gives predictability, and people can plan around those two nights they come to Zumba class. They know Monday's their Zumba class, so they'll do other things on other days — that gives us predictability. But then when you come into the class, you get so much variety, excitement, and connection. So basically, Zumba meets all six human needs — certainty, variety, connection, significance, because we do, you know, pat each other on the back, pump each other's tires, "my gosh, you look so amazing today, you nailed this move today" — everyone feels seen. Everyone grows from that too — everyone who comes to my class at the beginning is very stiff, they don't know how to move their body, and after a few months you can noticeably see how people loosen up, become more flexible, and feel more connected.

Every now and then I also do fundraising events, because people do like to contribute to fundraising endeavors — once a year we do a breast cancer fundraiser, Go Pink. We all show up in pink clothes, and everything we earn from that class we donate to the breast cancer foundation. That's why I love Zumba — for me, it's a vehicle for having all of those amazing things happen for the women in my life who I know.

Melanie (29:26): This is so heartwarming — hearing that you do a fundraiser for cancer prevention, that's so purpose-driven. It's something I care about deeply, and I know a lot of other people do too. This is so sweet — I'm seeing that purpose and giving back is part of what your community wants.

Luiza (29:53): A hundred percent, yes.

Melanie (29:54): How did you select that charity out of so many causes to choose from?

Luiza (30:00): Yeah, so many causes to choose from — I feel like the colour pink actually spoke to me the most, because I thought —

Melanie (30:09): Ha ha ha.

Luiza (30:11): — this looks like so much fun. And Breast Cancer Foundation has a really good campaign for encouraging people to fundraise for them — I always see it on my feed, year after year, that you can host a Go Pink event and fundraise, and I think, yeah, that feels really nice. Also, on a personal level, my auntie died from breast cancer, and for me it's very personal to support — I know how many women in my life have survived it because of the research that happens in Australia. But she lived in Russia — they don't have that — so she didn't survive it, and that's why, for me, it's a good cause, for good reason, to support and show that our contributions actually do matter.

Melanie (31:19): Absolutely. Condolences, by the way — when did she pass?

Luiza (31:22): Thank you. Last Christmas — Christmas 2025.

Melanie (31:26): Oh gosh.

Luiza (31:27): Yeah, very, very recent, yes.

Melanie (31:30): That's so recent.

Luiza (31:32): Mm.

Melanie (31:33): I feel for you so much. My grandmother had cancer, but she passed in '21, at the end of COVID.

Luiza (31:40): Mm-hmm.

Melanie (31:40): It was throughout her whole system — breast cancer, I believe, but it had spread through nearly everything. I can relate to that, and so many people can as well.

Luiza (31:48): I'm very sorry.

Melanie (31:49): Yes.

Luiza (31:50): Yep. That's why I feel — at least we do something to support the cause, to get more funds for more research and save more lives. Of course, it's a small donation, but we raised just over two thousand dollars through our masterclass, and it brought so many people together, and everyone really wanted to contribute to this.

Melanie (32:22): That's great, they wanted to contribute — especially with the pink ribbon, it's a known symbol, it's familiar.

Luiza (32:31): Yeah.

Melanie (32:31): There's so much opportunity — I see a great opportunity in the local area and online for us to do more activities, have more fun, that can give back in some way. Do you agree?

Luiza (32:45): Mm-hmm. Yes, so many. I also participated in another event, not organized by me, but I contributed as a dance teacher at the Stars of the North Cancer Council fundraiser — that was this year, in July. I contributed my time and helped make that event a success too — that was special.

Melanie (33:22): Those events are great — they run in a bunch of locations across Australia, there's an opportunity for other people to do that too.

Luiza (33:27): Yes, yeah.

Melanie (33:28): For other people to do that too.

Luiza (33:30): Yes, yes, it's so much fun — you should try it, Mel, you could be the next star.

Melanie (33:35): It's fun.

Luiza (33:36): Yeah.

Melanie (33:37): If they'd let me, why not — so you do have fun.

Luiza (33:41): Yeah, absolutely, a hundred percent.

Melanie (33:43): That's so good, it's really great to hear. I'm curious — when you're meeting new groups, branching out, and I know you're in a business chamber as well — how do you connect everybody else with what you're doing? I'm asking because right now I'm showing everybody that this is a purpose-driven podcast, and we're bringing people together. When you first meet people, how do you show that you're purpose-driven?

Luiza (34:23): I can't say I'm specifically talking to every person about what I do — I usually just say I make people dance, that's my passion. But then through the conversation, we talk about what's happening, and I like to hear other people's stories, what they do. My mind always works in the way of, okay, if I know someone and I know someone else who might benefit from a partnership, I always introduce them. That's how I introduced Sarah Harding to Sarah from Honey Rider Bar — when I met Sarah from Honey Rider Bar, she told me she wanted that place to be a place of connection, and I thought, I know people — so I introduced them, and that's how we're hosting that event in that location. I always try to see how I can support people with what I do, or how I can connect them with someone who can help them, and usually that's how the conversation starts.

Melanie (35:40): Referrals — are you saying that referrals —

Luiza (35:42): No stress.

Melanie (35:44): — are a great part of growing your business and also helping each other in an exchange, to make sure that everybody grows?

Luiza (35:56): Absolutely, yes. And I do it without any expectation of getting anything back — for me it's more like, if I can make your life a little bit better today, then I've lived out my mission. My life mission is to improve my life and improve everybody else's life every day. So when I help someone with something, I feel like, okay, today I actually lived my mission. It goes both ways, but I don't have any expectation that if I do something for you, you have to do something for me — it's more like, if I helped you today, I feel great.

Melanie (36:40): This is very encouraging. I've been reflecting lately on how we're in such an individualistic society — people are often focused on themselves and their own lives — but I can see that you thrive in your business and in life by looking at what other people need.

Luiza (37:01): Yes.

Melanie (37:02): Was it always like that? Were you always, throughout life, thinking about what others need?

Luiza (37:07): I think more lately — in the past five years I've become aware of it. I've naturally always been very positive, friendly, and social, but more so in the past five years I became more intentional about helping people in that way — by connecting them, making sure that if I can assist them in any way, I would.

Melanie (37:38): What inspired you to start doing that more?

Luiza (37:43): I follow a lot of personal development authors and coaches, including Tony Robbins. That kind of work — adding value, always looking for how you can help people — for me that's one of my highest values, being able to do that.

Melanie (38:14): Following Tony Robbins — fair enough. What else did you learn from the personal development leaders?

Luiza (38:21): What else did I learn — well, like I mentioned, being self-aware, being able to manage your own life and your own emotions — all very important lessons. Also how to build a business effectively, learning how to understand people, what people need, and provide them with opportunities to connect with what I'm doing — and by connecting with what I'm doing, help them become a better person, achieve their goals, become better dancers, or have a bit more fun in their life.

Melanie (39:11): Absolutely — bringing fun into life. You're reminding everybody of something that's needed. I'll take a wild guess that we often get so distracted by the seriousness of work, other responsibilities, and the busyness of things — this episode is partly a reminder to make things fun.

Luiza (39:33): A hundred percent. Make things fun.

Melanie (39:39): Make it fun. Are you bringing that energy into other things beyond the dance?

Luiza (39:45): Yes, I'm always doing fun activities, I love comedy, I like laughing, making jokes as well. If you don't have fun in your life, it's just boring, it's not interesting. I like to have more — I love my lifestyle in that sense.

Melanie (40:12): Comedy — I like that idea. That's something we could all do sometime. I feel inspired to do something with comedy — I don't know how, I don't identify as a comedian, but it would be fun to see who can crack a joke, or say something that could have been a joke, and we'll all laugh together anyway.

Luiza (40:36): Yes, I always feel like I'm so funny — my partner sometimes tells me, "yes, you're sometimes funny, and sometimes just what you say is funny."

Melanie (40:48): That's hilarious, it really is.

Luiza (40:51): Mm-hmm.

Melanie (40:54): Moving forward, what do you see that the local community needs? Do you see we need more people to get involved in groups that already exist? Do people need to create more groups? Or do we need more conversations within the spaces that already exist? What do people need right now?

Luiza (41:18): To be honest, I don't really think of it that way, because to me, everyone will find what they need. If a person needs to start a new group and they have followers, then go for it. There's a lady called Jerry — I don't know if you've met Jerry, I forget her surname — she moved to Mosman maybe a year or so ago from overseas, and she started a women's group, and now it's grown amazingly. That just shows that what she offers, people need. I also know of already-existing groups, like the Chamber of Commerce network — it's been here for years, and it's very popular. That's what we're also trying to do with Sarah and Voice of Mosman, to keep that momentum going. But people will naturally gravitate to what they need and what interests them. If a person has a calling for whatever group or community they want to create, I feel like, let them enjoy themselves. There's also David, with Life Reignite — he does amazing work for his community, bringing people together for games and trivia nights and dancing events. He's also one of the locals who's a really exciting human being with a great following as well. People will go for what they're interested in, and I think it's really important to just allow people to do these things.

Melanie (43:11): Everybody will do what feels right for them — fair point, we all need something different. We do.

Luiza (43:18): Yes.

Melanie (43:19): The women's group — I'd love it if you could send me details, that sounds awesome.

Luiza (43:23): Yes — yeah, you will love it, it's really amazing.

Melanie (43:29): Honestly, I'm at the point where I feel extra inspired to move to your area, because it seems like there's so much going on.

Luiza (43:39): Yep, yes, and that's why we love it — we don't want to move —

Melanie (43:43): Ha ha.

Luiza (43:43): — from here, anywhere.

Melanie (43:46): Absolutely. It's fascinating, because it's a great location, but I can sense that what the locals really thrive on is the connection.

Luiza (43:58): Yes, definitely, yes.

Melanie (44:01): That's so good — this is something anybody listening anywhere in the world can be inspired by, because wherever we live, either these groups exist, or we can create them ourselves.

Luiza (44:13): Yes. If a person really feels the calling to organize something, start some group or community, that means it's needed — it's really important to follow that calling.

Melanie (44:32): A question around creating a group or maintaining one — I'm so keen to ask this. I'm wondering if size really does matter — okay, that'll be quoted badly — but people fuss over the numbers that get attracted to a group. Although you need enough people to keep something viable, do you ever get extra concerned about how many people are going to something, or do you find value in the smaller groups as well?

Luiza (45:07): I think there's different value, because in a smaller group you have more personal conversations, a better opportunity to actually get to know people in the group. In a larger group, it's a bit more of a speed-dating scenario, where you just get your name out there and spread business cards as fast as you can, but it doesn't really foster that deeper connection. I believe there's space and time for both, for different reasons — whether you need exposure, or whether you need more partnership and collaboration, connection. I am mindful of the time now, because I need to start getting ready for my class.

Melanie (45:58): Good, okay, we'll just do an outro and wind up, and I'll edit this part. That's great wisdom — so a minute or two, that's great wisdom about connecting with all types of community. Louisa, thank you so much for sharing your insights — thanks, and have a great dance class. It —

Luiza (46:18): Thank you for having me. Thank you.

Melanie (46:23): — was great to have you on the podcast.

Luiza (46:26): Awesome, I'll see you next Thursday.

Melanie (46:29): Yes, yes.

Luiza (46:30): Thank you.

[FINAL TIMESTAMPS TO BE CONFIRMED AGAINST FINAL EDIT]