The modern world is becoming more equitable when it comes to gender parity. However, there is still a long way to go. Women often draw the shorter end of the stick, whether it comes to business, job opportunities, or anything else. But Nina Darmeci is determined to inspire women by paving the way for them.
The founder of Nina’s Choregraphy Dance and Zumba Fitness Company, Nina Darmeci, has been inspiring women globally to become the best version of themselves by setting an example. She’s an award-winning choreographer based in London, and the 42-year-old mother of two has established herself as a force to be reckoned with through her work.
Dancing and fitness have always been her passion. Although she’s based in London today, she comes from a very small island called Mayotte near Madagascar. Shortly after, she moved to India, where she gained most of her education. She did her Bachelor of Arts in Mumbai at Elphinston College but had to leave in her second year due to intense health problems. She then got married at 22 when she met her husband – a UK resident – in Portugal. However, the couple got married in India and after living a few years in London, they moved to Hong Kong where they lived for seven years. Eventually, they decided to move back to the United Kingdom and settle there.
After getting married, Nina decided to venture into a different career, becoming certified to work in the travel and tourism industry. She worked for multiple travel agencies and a major South African Airline. However, her heart lay in dancing and fitness. Thus, she worked on developing her skillset, becoming certified in Hip-Hop, Bharatnatyam, and Classical dancing. She also attained Zumba Basic and Zuma Kids Jr. certifications in 2016. Besides, she’s also trained in first-aid and DBS.
Since moving to London, she has been focused on making her dreams come true. She has been a successful dance choreographer for over two decades and has been successfully running Bollywood-inspired Zumba classes in London. Moreover, she gained notoriety within London’s fitness and dance community for being the first to introduce a fully Bollywood-inspired Zumba class. This initiative and her infectious energy also led people to call her the Duracell Bunny.
People often ask Nina Darmeci about her motivations and idols, to which she responds, “My parents are my idols. They have been through a rough phase in their lives, having no money yet having that inner power to overcome all the difficult situations and become successful entrepreneurs. Their hardship and dedication taught me how to be strong and overcome any difficult situation in life.”
As a result, she credits her parents for showing her how to persevere in the face of adversity and overcome challenging obstacles in pursuit of her goals and dreams. She hopes to impart this mindset to other people, especially women, because she understands women have a harder time in the world.
Nina Darmeci’s journey as a dancer and choreographer has been filled with some memorable moments. She reminisces, “I have so many memorable moments, starting from the age of 12, performing on a national level in Panchgani, India, where I came second all danced and choreographed by me. At the age of 18, I performed on my Island, Mayotte, on the national level representing India, which was broadcasted all over the Indian Ocean Island. I also choreographed for the India tennis team in Hong Kong as well as the biggest Diwali festival performance in London at Trafalgar’s Square for two three consecutive years.”
On a concluding note, she says, “I’m extremely proud to have had my own show called Zumba with Nina on MATV UK. It’s safe to say my career has been filled with many proud moments.”
