Meet KaToya Sumner | POUND ICON + Group Fitness Instructor + FitFriend

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

Hi KaToya, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am originally from Sunny, South Dallas, Texas. I relocated to the beautiful city of Atlanta in 2009 with my husband, Damon Sumner, while pregnant with our first child.

I have always loved music and have sung in choirs all my life and can utilize my voice as an instrument at any moment (whether you want to hear it or not). Music has always been a large part of who I am, and so has movement. Sadly, my voice is the only instrument I know how to use, but I have always kept a mean beat. From beating on tables in high school at lunch to playing the tambourine during church service and simply loving every song when the beat drops – rhythm, tempo, bass, and beats speak to the essence of KATOYA. I have always wanted to learn to play the drums but never put that desire into action until….

Shortly after the birth of our third child, I was walking by Rose Circle Park on the Westside of Atlanta and heard loud music calling to me. Then, I saw glowing green drumsticks, and the instructor told me all about Pound.

POUND® is a cardio jam session inspired by the infectious, energizing, and sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums. Instead of listening to music, you become

the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and Pilates-inspired movements. Using Ripstix®, lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercise, POUND® transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out.

Designed for all fitness levels and easy to modify, POUND® provides the perfect atmosphere for letting loose, energizing, improving your health, and rocking out! POUND’s® alternative vibe and welcoming philosophy appeal to rockstars of all ages and abilities.

I had just finished a walk with a friend but signed up for the class immediately. That is where it all began. I felt the mashup of all things I enjoy singing, dancing, rhythm, and beat, all in one shared experience with others. I told more and more friends about the class. Before it was all said and done, the class was full of just the people I had invited!

The instructor stopped hosting classes in the park after a few months. I didn’t have any gym memberships at the time, but I missed the class. I missed the energy. That is when I thought to myself… you do not have to miss it… you can teach it! I became certified to teach. Pound in 2017 and since have become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. I also holed certification in Indoor Cycling and Xtreme Hip Hop Step.

I began to teach in studios around Atlanta and started introducing POUND to students at the school where I taught. The energy was contagious, and I have not looked back since; it has been utterly life-giving to me and my Pound Posse. I have continued to grow with POUND fitness as a POUND ICON – Master Trainer. I now not only teach POUND but get to share this amazing workout with others who want to teach and experience this with their community!

What should our readers know about your business?
I found my way through fitness, connecting with others, and encouraging movement. Most of what I enjoy are things from my childhood. I tapped back into the things that brought me joy. I skip rope today, just like I did on the blacktop at my elementary school. I road cycle today, just like I rode my bike as a kid. I am always a student and looking to enjoy new ventures by exploring more and more classes in the fitness world on the regular.

What sets me apart is my sheer passion and my energy that welcomes, warms, and encourages. I seek to engage and connect with all who participate in any class I lead. Whether there are 2 or 200 participants, I give you all I have. Once the beat drops, it’s a concert, where I am the audience to their show. In my classes, all are welcome at whatever stage! All workouts are adaptable and accessible to regress or progress in movements to make the workout work for you.

Working out as we get older can be a challenge. I seek to encourage others to tap into what they enjoy, things that are sustainable and effortless, because I believe that when we enjoy the movement, we are more likely to prioritize it. As much as I love POUND, it’s not about only attending my class but more about finding activities where we can be active, enjoy with others and make a steady practice of putting our physical activity and overall health and wellness as a high priority.

Also, equally important is snatching the dreams and making them a reality. Learning to let go of fear and opening my mind to endless possibilities of going after that passion and that enjoyment. Putting the people and their experience first keeps the rest of the success in line.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would always encourage us to go somewhere to move our bodies. See if any of the classes are of interest to them. Some of my favorite classes around the city are at Vibe Ride Grant Park (POUND + Indoor Cycling), EFFECT FITNESS (Bootcamp), and Free Fitness on the Beltline. I would also take them on a stroll to feel the life of the city on the Eastside Beltline Strip (Ponce). I’m always here for some healthy eating and would recommend Tassili’s Raw Vegan Restaurant, Gusto, or Upbeet, which are a few of my favorite lunch or dinner spots. I would also opt for some wind-down activities such as a massage at Sole Spa, Sauna at Perspire Sauna Studio, or the Korean Spa experience at JeJu. I’m always ready for a night out and would find a fun lounge to attend or just hang back and have a classic game night with laughter. These are just a few things I love to enjoy in the city. There is never a dull weekend here in Atlanta, and tons of attractions for all interests. I love searching Eventbrite and FB events to see what’s happening.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to my family. Damon, my amazing and supportive husband, and our three beautiful children – Mission (12), Liv (7), and Ever (6). They encourage me to be great. The culture of our family is SUPPORT. My husband and I married at 21 and had our first child the following year. All that to say, life moved quickly, but one thing our kids have experienced is our glow-up as adults and as parents. The fact that they know to celebrate the big and small wins and get a front-row seat to see their parents pursue their dreams means everything. They are our true motivation and already know how to say all the right things at the correct times, even as children.

My daughter asked me one day, “What’s a mom do?” I began to list off the usual, `she loves her husband, cooks, cleans, takes care of her family.” She then adds, “…and teaches Pound, rides her bike, and works out.” That moment meant the world to me as it showed me that she is watching. She is watching me pursue my dreams, enjoy life, and more than anyone else, I live to be an example to my children.

I have had the privilege to teach POUND to thousands of participants, locally, globally, and virtually! A class is only as good as those that enjoy it! A huge shoutout to all participants who have ever ventured out to try something new and experience POUND with me and all its glory.

While I am certified in multiple group fitness formats, POUND is my passion. I am thankful to the global community of POUND and to the Creator of POUND, Kirsten Potenza, and the team at HQ for creating an excellent format that bands so many together through a fun and cathartic workout.

In the words of the Great Snoop Dogg, “I want to thank me, for believing in me…. I want to thank me for being me at all times”. As a wife and mother, it was not until I began to see who I was for myself outside of those titles and responsibilities that I was able to embrace my inner rockstar! This journey began for me in 2017, and the exploration of self and passion has led me on a path to encourage, motivate and walk with others by taking back the power of our bodies through consistent physical activity and community.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Kdsumner

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kdsumner

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/katoyasumner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katoya.sumner

Other: www.sumhighfitness.com

Image Credits
@poundfit