Spending time with Sherry Zunker and Esther Jeles in Cozumel quickly makes one thing clear:
Their story isn’t about leaving a place.
It’s about rethinking how work and life can function together, without losing direction or scale.
From this small island, an idea found its voice on the international stage.
We visited them to understand how their model evolved, what decisions actually mattered, and how they’ve been able to continue growing from a location that, at first glance, seems far from traditional business hubs.
We spent time with them in their space in Cozumel, talking through their process, their decisions, and how their work continues to evolve.
The conversation naturally moved between business, lifestyle, and execution.
And at some point, it shifted from talking about movement… to actually moving.
Sherry brings over 50 years of extraordinary experience as a dancer, choreographer, and director, with a career that has spanned and shaped the world of dance.
Esther brings 25 years of experience as an executive coach, with a strong reach into the arts, guiding teams, organizations, and leaders in environments where presence, connection, and communication are essential.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they were challenged to refocus and quickly decided to bring their separate careers together into a unified passion: dance. “Both of our businesses dealt with large groups… and suddenly being with people wasn’t possible anymore.” For many, COVID created uncertainty. For them, it opened the door to adapt.
During the COVID period, fitness and Movement programs were forced to move to On-Demand services.
People were experimenting with virtual formats. That is when BeMoved in-person classes began to include BeMoved On-Demand, connecting with a global network of people who shared the same passions and a deep desire to dance, BeMoved.
“We realized we could do this anywhere.”
If classes could be delivered digitally, then location would become flexible. Once the location becomes flexible, we could then reconsider everything else.Instead of overanalyzing, they focused on what was already happening around them.
The decision to move to Cozumel wasn’t driven by a long-term master plan.
It was based on practicality and ease of execution.
“It just became the easiest place to make it work.”
The island offered what they needed at that moment:
What started as a functional choice gradually became a stable base.
And honestly, how could anyone not be convinced by the island’s multicultural spirit, its closeness, its warmth, and those spectacular sunsets, every single day.
BeMoved It’s not just about choreography, it’s about how people experience movement over time.
Each session follows a progression:
warm-up, continuous movement, guided choreography, and a structured close.
“You learn through movement, not through stopping and correcting.”
That approach reduces intimidation and keeps participants happy and engaged.
It also shifts the focus from performance to experience
which makes it easier for a wider audience to participate consistently.
Anywhere, you can have this experience, the online connection brings us together no matter the distance, but it can also be fully lived and experienced in person.
One of the strongest aspects of the program is its accessibility without losing structure.
“It’s built for people who may not see themselves as dancers.”
If you thought you didn’t have the dance ability, there’s no problem, everyone can do BeMoved.
The beauty of BeMoved lies in its inclusive philosophy.
The choreography is thoughtfully crafted, drawing on various dance styles, and can be easily modified to accommodate individual needs or physical limitations.
Even for a seasoned dancer looking for a new form of expression, BeMoved offers a positive and uplifting environment where you can discover the dancer within you.
From their base in Cozumel, they’ve built and maintained a digital platform with a large and growing library of classes.
“We film here, and people from all over the world, take classes.”
A consistent system underpins the relatively simple physical setup. This clarity in the framework for content production, class structure, and delivery is what enables a local operation to effectively serve a global audience.
And the truth is, Cozumel is a platform. It excites us to think that in every BeMoved session, people are carrying a small piece of the island with them.
As it has evolved, BeMoved has even found its way onto cruise ships, reaching thousands of travelers each year.
And the more people who join, the farther it can go, opening up even more possibilities.
Can you imagine having your own live BeMoved class in your city?
Chances are, it might already exist.
BeMoved also certifies instructors for its programs, for anyone who wants to become part of the team.
Through dedicated courses, participants are trained and specialized to confidently lead their own classes, what makes it even more meaningful is that this is exactly how BeMoved continues to grow, through the people who carry it forward.
“If someone wants to teach, they can complete the entire training online.”
The program is structured and layered:
Pre-recorded modules
Coursework and assignments
Defined teaching methodology
Personal mentorship throughout the process
This creates continuity.
Instead of depending solely on their direct involvement, they’ve built a way to extend the method through other instructors, while maintaining standards.
Over the past two years, they’ve expanded a lot!
“We send instructors out, so people can take classes while traveling.”
This move is strategic.
Cruise environments already bring together:
Large groups
Open schedules
A mindset oriented toward experience
Which aligns naturally with what BeMoved offers.
A company in motion, where you can move, grow, and build at your own pace, for every kind of mobility.
That’s BeMoved!
Why Cozumel was a choice: Day-to-day operations are influenced by the scale of the island.
That level of proximity reduces time spent on logistics.
It also changes how the day feels.
“There’s a quietness and stillness that lets you be present.”
Even with full workloads, that environment creates a different rhythm, one that supports focus without the constant friction of larger cities.
“You can be anywhere in minutes… the ocean, the airport, everything.”
Despite their chosen base, their operations maintain high mobility. A key factor is:
“The airport is close, and you can go anywhere.”
This strategic proximity ensures that operating from a smaller location remains viable by preserving global access. Their current setup strikes a clear balance:
The Enduring Appeal: Community
When asked about the most important factor keeping them in their current location, the response is simple and direct: “The people.”
The strong personal and professional relationships they have developed over time have integrated community, collaboration, and familiarity into their daily lives. This deep connection is what has transformed a practical business move into a long-term commitment.
Now, every time they travel to Cozumel, they say, “we’re going home.”
You can see the full conversation, their story, and part of the class in our latest episode of Cozumel Today.
It’s a closer look at how Sherry Zunker and Esther Jeles have adapted their work, expanded their reach, and built a model that continues to grow from Cozumel.
Don’t miss it!
