Sally Riz is a young dancer and YouTuber from Medellín, Colombia, who is also studying Pharmacy and has more than 3 million views on her channel. In this interview she tells how her channel began, how she uses dance to promote health and self-love, and what advice she gives to people who dream of following their passion.
This interview was originally published in Spanish. Read the original in Spanish
“I started researching what was missing on YouTube for people who wanted to learn to
dance. I did thorough research and decided to create a new way of teaching”
“What motivates me is knowing that I have great potential and inexhaustible energy; with dedication and discipline I can achieve everything I set out to do”
“Let me confess something: many girls, myself included, find it exciting to see a man move his hips”
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Life gives us each new day so that we can give the best of ourselves, with enthusiasm, feeling grateful for what we do and smiling at our own effort, at the chance to teach. Life is about giving, yes, but giving what we have embraced and what makes us happy.
Our special guest joins us from Medellín – Colombia, and she is going to fill you with joy, energy and a real zest for life, just as she did for us from the very first moment we chatted with her.
She is currently studying Pharmacy and is already a renowned Vlogger with more than 3 million views and close to reaching 73 thousand subscribers as of the close of our edition; It is an honor to introduce Sally Riz , a young Youtuber and Dancer whose concern for others, perseverance and vitality turn Dance into a tool that transforms attitudes and brings health.
Let’s get to know her:
1.- Sally, we’re delighted to have you with us in Peru. Let’s start with you: tell us a little about your hometown in beautiful Colombia and where you currently live. What brings you joy or puts a smile on your face?
Hello, thank you for the invitation. I currently live in the city of eternal spring, called Medellín, which is adorned by beautiful landscapes where human warmth stands out. What brings me joy or puts a smile on my face is dedicating my time to what I truly love: dancing, getting to know new places, traveling and contributing something to society.
2.- Sally, our societies feel more and more pressure from the digital age, technology and competition at work, and we end up leaving ourselves aside, our well-being and feeling good. Your work is to teach and communicate health, to show that it is possible to feel good with routines full of rhythm and joy. How did the idea for the Sally Riz YouTube channel come about? What was the first time like, the feeling of recording your first video; did you already have some experience?
It all started like this
I am currently a dancer, and I’m studying virtual pharmacy regency. One semester I decided to pick one course from the program; this time I wanted something different, something that would take me out of the routine of medications. I felt the need deep within my being, and I chose theater. I told myself that since it would be virtual, I allowed myself to leap into the unknown. That course was exactly what I needed. They had me record two videos: lost in the jungle and aliens. I was super scared because I didn’t know what I was going to say, but I liked it; I’ve loved cameras since I was very little. I watched my recording and a voice rose from within me, saying: Sally, you have great potential! Since that day this voice has never faded. The grade, I remember, was a 5.
Everywhere I went on the street, people admired my hair. Several girls would come up to me to ask how I managed to have hair like that, and others would simply touch their own hair and look at me as if to say, God, why did I straighten my hair! I could feel their sadness. One girl decided to ask me, I explained, but she was left confused. This happened almost every day, until an extraordinary idea came to me: what if I could change the lives of many girls who feel insecure about their curly hair? The voice that always accompanies me said, Sally, you have great potential! That voice is soft, but I love it because it is my strength and gives me the push to take risks toward the unknown. What if I could teach them how to manage their curly hair, so they could embrace their own style and feel proud of having different, unique hair? I decided to tell my mother and my sister: I want to record a video to upload to YouTube and teach girls and boys how to handle their curly hair. They loved the idea. I have always had their support, and my grandmother’s. They are my right hand, although my grandmother passed away recently, and she has become my guardian angel. They are my everything.
I researched a lot, and it took me time to get started because I wanted things done well. I had a simple camera, but it recorded really well. One day before recording the first video, I decided to take the camera to record some steps on the other side of the city. I remember I took photos and recorded a lot. When I was heading back home I was very exhausted and, without realizing it, I fell asleep on the metro. I must have looked so funny with my head down, my eyes closed and my curls all messy. I woke up terrified. When I got home and anxiously went to check the photos, I saw that the camera was nowhere in the backpack. I felt the world come crashing down on me and wished the ground would swallow me up. All I had left was the tripod and my ingenious idea; I never actually found out what happened that day. I was sad for quite a while. Since I was little I’ve always liked to work and save, and in my room my piggy bank for emergencies is always there, and I thought this was the moment to open it. I walked into a shop near my house and saw a simple video camera; I remember the sign that said “sale.” If you could have seen the look on my face, full of hope and happiness, it was so funny, haha. I decided to buy it with my mother’s support and my savings. I was very anxious; when I picked it up and tried it, to my surprise it wouldn’t turn on. I asked the girl and she told me not to worry, it was just that the battery was drained. A strong voice inside me said, it doesn’t matter, you put it on charge and that’s it, but another, very soft one from deep within my being said, no, Sally, don’t take it; if it doesn’t turn on it’s because it doesn’t work. I was so excited that I would finally record my first video that I decided to take it. I got home, charged it and waited, but it wouldn’t work. Again a strong inner voice said, Sally, this isn’t good for you, leave it all as it is, but another soft voice from deep within stood out: don’t give up, overcome the obstacles; if this is happening to you, it’s because something great awaits you at the end. Worry when something goes well without effort! I decided to listen to the soft, distant voice. It’s important to listen to both inner voices and test which one will be our inner guide; it’s a matter of making mistakes to know the right one, but we are so complex and unobservant that we listen to the loudest and most imposing one, without knowing that the wise and right one is the one we almost never stop to listen to. I was sad but didn’t lose hope; I kept working hard and saving. My mother decided to support me again, and with the savings I went to buy another camera. If you could have seen the happiness, the hope being reborn, so many feelings together. It was no longer a simple camera, nor a video camera: Sally would record with a professional one. The moment was inexplicable; I felt grateful for my mother’s support, and if she reads this: thanks to you, Mom, I am making my dream come true. She knew about all the obstacles I had gone through; everything in life happens for a reason. Before recording my first video I decided to take a break, which lasted 3 months, preparing myself and researching editing and how to handle the camera, although believe me, handling it hasn’t been easy for me; I’m still learning. I spent weeks without going out, dedicated to doing things better each day. You have to break through barriers on your path; life is teaching you that beyond the difficulties something good awaits, something better. Fight, look for a thousand solutions, always save and work hard to achieve what you long for. You don’t need a lot of money to fulfill your dreams, only love, discipline and perseverance to achieve great results. My team was complete; all that was left was to be in front of the camera teaching girls how to manage their hair. The day before, I remember I grabbed paint and a brush and started painting my room all by myself; it was chaos, but I wanted everything to be perfect for the next day. I barely slept from the anxiety and excitement I felt that I could finally record my first video. I confess, I was very nervous, but that sweet voice always said, Sally, you have great potential! You can do it. I finally recorded it. I remember it took me almost two months to upload it; there were editing details missing. It was a difficult road because nobody was going to teach me; I had to find the way to solve the problems on my own, like learning the most complex part, the editing programs. I spent hours and hours at the computer; I wouldn’t rest until the video was finished. At last, the first to see it were my accomplices, my right hand, my everything, my mother and sister. These events, together with hard work, emotions, difficulties and stumbles, lasted a whole year; on January 28, 2016 I uploaded my first video, and it finally came true. When I hit publish my heart wanted to jump out of my chest; extraordinary sensations and emotions, pure adrenaline. Afterward I shared it on my social networks and beautiful messages started to arrive. The first video was titled how to manage curly hair in an easy way.
Once again, the soft, delicate, sweet voice said: Sally, you’re now in a new stage of your life, you must teach what you know; besides that, your great passion is dance. I started researching what was missing on YouTube for people who wanted to learn to dance. I did thorough research and decided to create a new way of teaching. When I went to train at dance academies, the main shortcoming was the lack of strengthening of the hip and body muscles. When a girl learned Arabic dance and twerk, she focused on hip movements, and it was no longer so hard to dance other rhythms. Dance is also one of the best exercises for awareness of your body’s movements, for toning, strengthening and losing weight. Thanks to dance I was able to shape my body, a new lifestyle. I decided to implement my new learning strategy on the Sally Riz channel.
3.- What is the main comment you receive from people who want to follow your
routines but don’t feel good about how they look, and what advice do you always give them, how do you motivate them?
The main comments I receive are that they don’t feel good about their bodies and, because of their build, they aren’t able to do the routines; they say they don’t look good doing them. It also happens with the twerk routine: because they don’t have a big butt, the movements are harder for them. I always answer with a lot of love, explaining that their build is no obstacle to doing the routines; what is needed is dedication and perseverance, along with self-confidence and self-love. I also suggest that if they want to lose weight, improve their health and tone up, these routines are perfect to reach that goal: they are learning to dance, exercising their bodies and enjoying themselves. I also answer the people who comment on the twerk routine: you don’t need a big butt to dance; what really matters is that they learn to loosen their hips, so the movements become more fluid thanks to the strengthening of the muscles around the pelvis.
4.- What are the results of combining dance, joy and consistency? How much time is enough, even for people with a lot of activities?
Combining dance, joy and consistency results in a job well done, with a great diversity of knowledge, bringing great benefits such as confidence when dancing, a body full of life and health, and great harmony, generating a new sensation in the inner self.
An hour and a half is enough, combining the routines from the Sally Riz channel.
5.- For us Latinos, dancing is never enough. With better movements and practice, can we be improving our lifestyle?
Yes, it’s true, it will never be enough; you will always have the attitude of improving and learning something new each day we practice. This indicates improved awareness when performing movements; there is coordination of your body; you can exercise muscles that you previously didn’t even move and now you are strengthening them, moving them perfectly; there is greater flexibility in the body; health increases by exercising your body; self-esteem rises as you understand that you can do everything you set out to do with practice; and finally, confidence in your own being steadily arrives.
6.- How do your fans or subscribers welcome you day to day? How do you like to interact with them? .
They have embraced me as their virtual teacher, their counselor and friend. I want them to know that behind that camera there is a person who is passionate about what she does, who cares about uploading content so they can improve each day, who is happy about their results and is always attentive to answering their questions, even if it takes a little while, because so many people write. I like to interact with them through social networks, and even in the messages they leave on YouTube .
7.- How do you organize and schedule each new installment? Do you already have something pre-established, and do you accept suggestions from your subscribers?
I have a planner where I jot down the ideas that come to me unexpectedly. Sometimes I record them in order, and the ones my subscribers suggest I also write down in the planner; I like it when they do, and I always keep them in mind.
8.- What do you think about some companies building into their work schedules dynamics with dance instructors and group exercises with their employees? Should this workplace practice be spread?
In my opinion, companies should do it: group exercises incorporating dance, exercising the body and learning to coordinate movements. This improves the physical and intellectual capacity of people during recreation and leisure, allows workers to raise their level of creativity and production, and also helps release the stress and tension that routine generates; doing these activities consistently creates an effect and sensation of well-being.
9.- As a communicator and instructor for better health and fitness, what satisfactions have you felt along the way, as a professional and as a person, whether by changing lives or by people quickly catching your vitality?
There are many satisfactions, and they generate feelings of joy, enthusiasm and motivation to be better. I love knowing that many people are already training and improving their quality of life with the channel’s videos; their comments are very encouraging and mean a lot to me. Words of motivation help them a lot, and the energy I convey serves as encouragement to keep going. It satisfies me to know that with the Sally Riz methodology I can contribute knowledge for their physical and cognitive development.
10.- What is the main advice you would give to sedentary people, whether they work in an office or at home, or to the fans who eat, dream and breathe games (gamers)?
Self-love also means knowing and avoiding what can harm our health, understanding the importance of exercising constantly to prevent illness, and doing activities that bring you fun and new sensations. When you change your lifestyle, your way of thinking and acting changes.
11.- What do you think of this second great YouTube revolution, in which millions of underage teenagers are building a virtual identity by showing their skills or talents, some of them earning far-from-negligible incomes?
I think this talent platform is great; it allows a change in the perspective of thinking. Thousands of young people who at some point felt their dreams frustrated by having few opportunities to show their potential, as long as they have adequate support, follow-up and guidance from their family. Great benefits: while they are sharing knowledge, they have fun and enjoy what they do with passion, and they can end up earning large incomes, as a greater reward for their effort and dedication.
12.- Do you think there is abuse in the use of social networks, not only by young people but also by journalists and politicians?
Yes, there is abuse on their part to spread and distort information and thus obtain their own benefits, generating content exposed on social networks that turns out to be harmful to society.
13.- Do you think we are still a bit behind in digital education and the implementation of ICTs in our schools?
I think there is a lot of digital knowledge and ICT know-how in our schools, but their use has been mishandled; no one has guided students in an appropriate way in this regard.
14.- Let me tell you that in our country less and less importance is given to physical education in schools, and it is nonexistent in institutes and universities, precisely because (from the previous question) of wanting to give more importance to the digital.
In our region things are improvised and there is no balance in our education, so it also falls to parents to balance this training. What is your opinion on this?
The focus on digital education is important, but it is also very important to support and encourage physical education, introduction to sports, educational sports and recreation, to improve and expand the learning method for the formation of well-rounded human beings.
The benefits include discovering creative and intentional movements, generating cognitive development, discovering new skills, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, and encouraging an active and healthy life.
15.- Sally, women are increasingly empowering themselves around the world, taking on roles as
important as national presidencies and top corporate leadership. Do you think the labor and economic gap with men has narrowed around the world?
What are we missing? Why do we still live with gender violence in some places?
I don’t think it has narrowed; rather, gender equality is evolving equitably. In some places inequalities can still be seen, due to the education that is given at home and the guidance from the family.
16.- What motivates you, and why do you feel grateful every day?
What motivates me is knowing that I have great potential and inexhaustible energy; with dedication and discipline I can achieve everything I set out to do, and being able to enthusiastically convey my methodology to many people who want to learn. I feel grateful every day for the support my family gives me; it has been of great importance and help in making my dreams a reality.
17.- How would you define “Life,” “Health” and “Rhythm” in a few words?
Life: the perfect time to turn your dreams into reality
Health: a body in harmony and well-being
Rhythm: sound that drives creative movement
18.- Whom do you admire, whether as a professional or as a person; is there someone who is a role model in your life?
I admire 3 people who are from my country and internationally recognized: Shakira, James Rodríguez and Falcao. I would love to meet them someday and share a few words. They are human beings with great potential, the result of discipline and perseverance; they show the world that dreams have no limits. They tried tirelessly and fought against the adversities self-imposed by society; they knew about their great potential and that their way of life, acting and thinking had to be different; everything had to revolve around working on and perfecting their skills to achieve their goals. They are my role models; thanks to them I was able to change my lifestyle, and I also want to be an example to follow.
19.- We men are more than invited to be part of your channel and your followers too, right? A few words for them.
Let me confess something: many girls, myself included, find it exciting to see a man move his hips.
You are all invited to the channel, you are welcome. It is very important for a man to care about looking after his body and health, to strengthen his muscles by doing the routines, and to be able to move his hips and control his body without difficulty. You will realize what you can achieve; this will raise your self-esteem, and your confidence will show whenever you dance anywhere.
20.- What would you say to young people and teenagers who have the talent and the desire but don’t dare to take the first step and embrace what they love to do?
I recommend that you choose to change your way of life; that is the first thing. At first it will be hard, but as you see the results the sacrifice will be worth it: the sleepless nights, the entire weekends at home perfecting your skills, your time revolving day by day around what you want and dream of doing. Project yourself, plan what you intend to do with the results, and do everything with love and perseverance. I love this phrase: never let other people’s comments build your future. I apply it to my life every day. You will always run into ill-intentioned people who make comments like, what you’re doing is a waste of time, or who say, you’re not prepared, you don’t have enough talent. The only one who knows and decides is you and nobody else. You decide whether to throw yourself into the abyss or back away; if you fell into the abyss it was your decision and not others’, so get up and look for the solution to get out of that darkness you threw yourself into without thinking. Sooner or later you will find the light that will let you dream again and make those dreams come true.
21.- What is the first step to becoming better and better, inside and out?
The first step is self-love. It lets you know that you have no limits and that you possess so many strengths and imperfections, and even so you know you must work to improve your inner self. You are perfectly aware that you are special and different from others, and you possess potential that you want to share and with which you want to contribute something to society.
22.- What places would you recommend we visit in your city? What places in Peru would you like to see?.
Arvi Park is an Environmental and Cultural Center.
There is also a place I love to visit; it isn’t in the city, but I highly recommend it. It is 59 minutes from Medellín, a district (corregimiento) of the municipality of Río Negro called San Antonio de Pereira. I never tire of visiting that place; the region’s gastronomic specialty is its food and desserts, and there is the Fiesta Nacional de la Empanada (National Empanada Festival), where you will find every flavor, held every year in the month of August.
The Botanical Garden, a peaceful place with a diversity of plants of various groups and species that we can all enjoy in the very heart of the city.
I would love to include adventure and the discovery of new cultures. Peru would be a perfect place to visit; its cuisine is renowned worldwide, and I hope to visit someday. There is Cusco, Inca walls, the beaches of the North, Máncora, called the surfing paradise (it would be great to learn this sport and recreational activity), the Sacred City of Caral – Supe, the Chavín Archaeological Monument, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
23.- Finally, a greeting to our readers and your followers.
I send you all a big greeting. I’m happy to share words and experiences that may help and touch many people who perhaps today have fears, sadness, frustration and desolation in their lives. It is normal to have all those feelings when you see all the doors closing and everything not going as you expected, but fill yourself with drive and hope, find new windows, even small ones, because maybe those tiny, seemingly insignificant ones can be the beginning of great things. I hope you visit the channel and enjoy the routines; remember that with love, discipline and perseverance, great results can be achieved. Huge hugs.
You can find, follow and chat with Sally on:
Interview conducted by Jaime William Mostacero Baca with Sally Riz – Colombia
Contact made via: Email – Facebook
Interview authorized in writing via email exchange: Sally Riz – Perumira – Jaime William
All rights reserved in the name of Sally Riz – Perumira – Jaime William
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