Meet Cindy Newton | She-O and Owner of Chica Power Fitness and Nutrition

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cindy Newton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cindy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Having been a social worker for over 20 years, I knew mental health and fitness went hand in hand. 13 years ago I became a Zumba instructor and fell in love with what dancing and fitness could do to mental wellness. I started my weight loss journey during that time, and over the years began to get educated on nutrition and what that can do for mental health and wellness.

For several years, many of my students have told me, “You need to open your own fitness studio.” I kept that in the back of my head and started daydreaming about that would mean for me and my students.

Last year, in 2021, after the COVID shut down, I didn’t have a place to teach, and many of my students would follow me to wherever I could find a spot. Then I met Beth Amezcua. She owns her own shop, 287 Nutrition, and she allowed me to hold my class in her shop. It was a match made in heaven. With her guidance and the support of my family and friends, we started to talk about what my dream would look like if we had a brick and mortar. And from there, Chica Power Fitness and Nutrition was born.

Chica Power Fitness and Nutrition is my dream come true. I have combined all my passions in ONE location. It is everything I have dreamed and prayed for. A community where people could come workout, feel at home, be comfortable, motivated and empowered to be their best self, not just fitness-wise, but mentally and nutritionally. A place where they could come and talk about issues, or share their successes. A place where we can find not only fun workouts and great protein shakes and energizing teas, but a place to be a family. My heart is in this building.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I tell people that Social Worker was tatooed on my forehead by God from the day I was born. I have always wanted to be a “helper,” a “solution builder.” It was no surprise that I found myself drawn to the School of Social Work at Baylor University.

I find joy in helping others, in motivating, and in being a listening ear. I enjoyed my career in social work, from medical social work, to adoption, and lastly as a school social worker.

Halfway through my social work career, I found the need to have an outlet of all the stress and crisis I’ve seen. I found group fitness and fell in love. Two years after finding Zumba, I became a Zumba instructor. My Zumba teacher at the time had seen potential and encouraged me to become and instructor.

I started teaching at several locations, and one studio was owned by Chris Corley, my first encounter with a personal trainer. He taught me form and taught me about my body and from there, my passion for fitness grew. I wanted to do more. To learn more, but being in social work, financially, I couldn’t make a move.

As my love for helping people grew, so did my class. Word of mouth was getting around and eventually found myself teaching at a local rec center. I stayed there for 8 years until COVID shut us down. But there, I found my true love for group fitness. I started teaching HIIT classes as well as Zumba and knew that someday, I would be doing this full time.

It isn’t easy, dreaming BIG. It’s hard. Life gets in the way. But I have a great support system. I learned that if I fell, I had someone that would pick me up. I learned that when I had self doubt, to turn to God and my support system. Surround yourself with people who can dream WITH you. That will push you towards your dream and then be right there to cheer you on. I learned to cut ties with toxicity, and only focus on positives. It’s not easy. It’s so hard to do. But what is it you want more?

Chica Power is so much more than this brick and mortar. Chica Power means that you can dream BIG and not be afraid. Chica Power means community. Chica Power means that even though you might leave, you will always be welcomed back. Chica Power means FAMILY.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being from around this area, I love supporting all local things! One of the fun things to do is check out what is happening at the Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie or Theater Arlington, to see if there is something fun playing on stage.

I love local places like Grease Monkey in Arlington, Del Torro BBQ in Mansfield (gotta get the Texas Twinkies!!), Mama Cuca’s in Mansfield (where you gotta try their margaritas!).

And of course, you can’t go wrong visiting Texas Live! for sports, drinks, food, games and music!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, nothing is possible without God. So He gets my accolades for making all things possible. My husband, Mike, supports and loves me through all my crazy ideas (which we call Chica Shenanigans!), and my dream couldn’t happen without him. My son, Elliot, is my rock and I do ALL that I do because of him. He is my muse, my comic relief and most of all, my little miracle.

My parents have been amazing and so supportive. My dad helped with so many projects in the shop, from painting to installing our sinks, to adding fans to my walls so that we didn’t pass out while we worked out. My mom worked tirelessly remotely, adding stickers to my cup, organizing my products. She did all the things that would have taken me days to do, and did it with love.

My friend Beth Amezcua, owner of 287 Nutrition, who spoke my dream into existence. Is my business mentor, and kicks my butt in gear to make sure I succeed.

Last, but not least, my Chicas! This dream wouldn’t even be a dream without them. They love me unconditionally, show up without me having to ask, wear my logo, support my crazy, love me through thick and thin. They ARE Chica Power. I just provide the building.

Instagram: @chicapower.fitness

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicapowerfitness/

Yelp: Chica Power Fitness and Nutrition

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDt7jzT4TILLCMHzRz8_M8Q

Other: Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/chicapowerfitness

Image Credits
Kristen Garcia for the professional Photos taken (in purple top)