From IT to Zumba: Cork woman Tara Tait on changing careers

Cork woman Tara Tait took a career leap earlier this year and hasn’t looked back.

After graduating from college, Tara worked in operations, IT, and manufacturing industries.

“Unfortunately, in the IT industry, there are no options for part-time work and few options of similar jobs in other industries, making it very challenging for parents to balance career and family life,” says Tara.

After being made redundant from her IT role, Tara assessed her options.

“When I was made redundant, I had plans to start a different type of business,” says Tara.

“2024 wasn’t a great time in the IT industry.”

“I had an idea about building a website and an app.

“I found that there was no unless the business was ready to go. There was no government funding or affordable childcare options. My business idea had to be put on the back-burner.”

In a significant career move, in January, Tara started teaching Zumba and has a new lease of life.

“The reason I started teaching Zumba classes was for my personal physical health,” says Tara, who is mum to Sophie, 6, and Linna, 3.

“I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my kneecaps in 2018 and I suffered from regular knee pain. Doing daily activities such as climbing stairs or sitting down hurt a lot. This worsened during pregnancy.”

Tara, then only 32, was relatively young to have serious t problems, wasn’t she?

“I think it could be genetic or just wear and tear,” she says.

“I didn’t have an active lifestyle and was sedentary most of the time at work.”

Tara, who lives in Rostellan, decided to take action to relieve her painful symptoms.

“In 2020, I did yoga teaching training and began to attend regular yoga classes, but it’s only since I have started doing regular Zumba classes and as a result do a lot of leg strengthening exercises such as squats twice per week that in the last few months my knee pain has hugely improved.”

Tara its that not working regular full-time hours has been a huge adjustment.

“I am hoping when my three-year-old starts pre-school in September, I will have more time to spend on building a business.”

Tara has spent time doing nice things with her husband of 10 years, Tristan.

“We’ve been together for 20 years and we are married for ten years,” she says.

“For our 10th anniversary, we renewed our wedding vows in the Maldives.”

Family is important to Tara.

“My sister-in-law Lavinia did the Zumba training with me,” she says.

“She was great for .”

Being in front of a class can be nerve-racking.

“I put hours and hours of practice into it,” says Tara.

“Being in front of a class for 60 minutes watching your every move can be nerve-racking. Your mind could go blank!”

What happens if Tara’s mind goes blank during class?

“I try to improvise!” she says.

“Brain memory is a big part of Zumba.”

Dancing was always a big part of Tara’s life.

“In my younger days, I loved going dancing with my friends,” says Tara, who grew up in Cork’s city centre.

“We went to the Savoy and to Club 1. I think dancing is an Irish cultural thing.”

Apart from the leg-strengthening benefits and good memory motivation, what else prompted Tara to take up Zumba?

“I started teaching Zumba because I knew there wasn’t much else that would motivate me to do squats regularly and actually enjoy it,” says Tara.

What does she enjoy most?

“It’s the music, the people, and the atmosphere of community, and the challenge of the choreography that keeps my mind engaged. Zumba makes me happy,” says Tara.

“It makes other people happy. There is a great buzz around it.”

Can anyone do it, even if one has two left feet?

Tara laughs.

“Anyone can do Zumba,” she says.

“From the warm-up to doing the dance routine, to following a sequence, to getting into the moves, to the sense of freedom Zumba offers, people find their feet after a week or two, even if they tell me at first that they have no co-ordination.”

People of all ages come to Tara’s Zumba classes at the Marina Market and at the Grain store in Ballymaloe.

“Nobody finds Zumba intimidating. They enjoy the challenge and the positive benefits.”

Tara has discovered the positive benefits of practising Zumba.

“Zumba for me has been life-changing,” she says.

“Once you get into it, you don’t even realise that you are doing it. At nearly 40, my osteo condition has greatly improved. I had difficulty going up the stairs when the knee pain was so bad. I have strength in my quads and in my glutes. It’s possible to do 30 squats in one song.

“Zumba provides a different hormone release to that of yoga,” says Tara.

“After yoga, you feel more zen. After Zumba, you feel the buzz. People love that. Zumba is like traditional aerobics that gets the heart rate up. You can reach up to 7,000 steps in one hour.”

People love the sociability of Zumba.

“We love the chats before and after the class,” says Tara.

“People of all ages and from all walks of life come together and have fun.

“Nobody feels awkward. It’s all about expressing yourself in a way that feels good for you.”

Giving Zumba classes makes Tara feel good.

“Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces after class is really special,” she says.

“It’s clear to see the positive impact of dance, music and exercise together.”

Building a business from scratch isn’t all fun and games.

“It will take a few years to build up,” says Tara.

“I am just about breaking even now. But I am giving 150% to it.”

What must I bring to Zumba class when I sign up?

“Comfortable clothes, runners, and water,” says Tara.

And there is one more important thing.

“A sense of humour!” says Tara.

“That is the most important thing!”