Jessie Diaz-Herrera and co-founder Maddy Jones didn’t just start a gym; they started a revolution. Power Plus Wellness is a traveling collective across NYC offering joyful, body-positive classes for plus-size folks and allies. It all began with Jessie’s viral dance class, Free the Jiggle, a safe space for movement without judgment. “People would tell me how they wished there were more spaces like that,” she says. “So we built one.” Now, Power Plus Wellness partners with over 15 studios, hosting everything from barre to Pilates to kitten yoga. “Our focus isn’t on getting smaller,” Jessie says. “It’s on getting stronger, sleeping better, and reconnecting with your body.”

At Power Plus Wellness in NYC, the goal of fitness is not to shrink yourself, but to take up more space. This judgement-free community empowers members to focus on feeling good in their body and finding joy in movement. 

Jessie Diaz-Herrera says she wanted to make exercise more inclusive so she set out to create a community that encourages members to have fun and reclaim their space. TODAY contributor Ally Love reports on how Power Plus Wellness is fostering safe spaces for fitness for the plus size community.

The next generation of entrepreneurs, content creators, and community leaders has arrived, and Eventbrite is helping them launch amazing events. With guidance from Grammy-nominated rapper Jidenna, acclaimed chef Sophia Roe, and mindfulness expert Tamara Levitt, Eventbrite selected five innovators who bring people together to join the RECONVENE Accelerator program. Each winner will receive $20,000 to help fund their event concept as well as personalized coaching from industry leaders.

A dance instructor has worked to combat the negative stigma of plus-size health through her body positive, body affirming and joyful movement classes.

Jessie Diaz-Herrera reveals how she encourages her students to get outside of their comfort zones and “free the jiggle.”

Emily is joined by guest host Lauren Hope Krass, comedian and DST content manager. Together they interview fitness instructor and founder of Power Plus Wellness, Jessie Diaz-Herrera about her plus-size focused (but not exclusive) fitness classes and what it’s like to be in a bigger body within the wellness field. Jessie shares her personal experience of really loving dance as a child and how it inspired her to start Power Plus Wellness. 

It's Time to Free the Jiggle
Reclaiming fitness from diet culture with Jessie

You’re listening to Burnt Toast! This is the podcast about anti-fat bias, diet culture, parenting and health. I’m Virginia Sole Smith.

Today I am chatting with Jessie Diaz-Herrera. Jessie is a body affirming dancer, health and wellness influencer, and fitness enthusiast.