It Gets Better

I was going through some old emails this morning and came across the emails between Jen (owner of Pure Barre Charleston) and I as we were getting ready to head to Vail, Colorado for training FOUR years ago. Ok, so clearly I was going through some emails from quite a while ago.

I realized that I had posted this (see below) a little under a year ago, but never shared it via NPSS, so thought I would share…

I went to my first Pure Barre class in April 2010.  I found out about Pure Barre from a coworker who started teaching it in Alabama. When I saw a studio opening in Charlotte, I was really excited to give it a try. Five minutes into it, I wondered if I would make it out of the room alive.  I walked out of the class after 55 minutes of tucking, pulsing and circling, wondering what the heck just happened and why anyone would put themselves through that willingly. Naturally, I bought the New Client Special and went as many times as I could in that 30 day period.

Soon after, I relocated to the Pure Barre-less Charleston, SC.  A few months after moving further South the Charleston studio was announced and I immediately reached out to the owner and inquired about teaching. Several months later I found myself heading to Vail, Colorado for training.

The first and third photos are snapshots that Jen (owner) captured at training.  I used to make Jen promise that she would never post these pictures anywhere. The first photo could be described best as “the stank face” meets pure pain. Training was one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever had and I remember thinking WHAT did I get myself into.

Three years later (almost to the day) I was able to take a slightly different direction career wise and make Pure Barre my full time job.  Over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with so many amazing clients and teachers from all over the country and can honestly say each day seems to get better and better.

I remember being at a networking event about a year ago and had someone ask me “What is your passion?”  I had just met this individual and found myself without an immediate response.  When meeting people I’ve gotten so used to being asked “What do you?” or “Where are you from?” but had never been asked “What is your passion?” I had plenty of things that I was passionATE about, but what was MY passion? The more I started to think about it I realized that my passion was to be able to make a positive impact on other people’s lives.  I am so grateful that I have been able to combine my passion with my job.

So, why am I blabbing on and on about all this? For me, Pure Barre has been the most important “thing” for me over the past three years.  When Jen, the owner of PB Charleston, reached out to me about meeting to discuss the possibility of teaching, I was at home in Massachusetts for my sister’s services.  More than ever, I felt like I needed to be a part of this amazing community that I stumbled upon a year before. Taking class meant I could leave any problems, issues or concerns at the door and have 55 minutes of mental clarity.  Teaching class gave me a chance to help serve as a positive influence for the clients that were leaving their own problems, issues and concerns at the door.

My legs still shake when I take class. I still look at the teacher who is teaching the class that I am in and think all the lovely thoughts that run through client’s heads when it’s my turn to teach.  Since the flow of the class stays consistent, but no two classes are exactly the same, I’ve never gotten bored or even considered it be a typical workout. The second and fourth photos are from today.  Just like any of the clients I’ve had the pleasure to interact with and teach over the years – no two journeys are exactly the same.  Most of the time, we don’t always know what our coworkers, friends and family are REALLY going through.  Life is messy and finding a way to balance it all can sometime seem impossible. There will always be obstacles with family, friends and careers. For each of our own fitness and health choices the ups and downs often seem never ending.

“It’s going to get harder before it gets easier, but it will get better. You have to make it through the hard stuff first.”

For anyone who has ever taken a Pure Barre class, you know that once you get the technique down it definitely gets harder before it gets easier… but it DOES get “better”. It gets better because you get stronger physically and mentally. It gets better because the first time you hold your plank for the first time you’ll feel like high fiving everyone in the room. It gets better because you’ve noticed you’re able to keep your heels lifted just an inch higher or stay in the most challenging position for the whole time.  It gets better because you’re making time for yourself to improve you. It gets better because you’ll meet some amazing people in the midst of it all.

Even if you’re never taken a Pure Barre class, there’s a good chance that there’s some aspect in your life in which this quote is relatable to. I hope that anyone reading this finds a way for their passion to become their career or at least for their career to allow enough time for their passion.  Either way, just remember no matter where you’re at – it always get better – don’t worry.

Written on October 20, 2014. Since then, I’ve relocated to Greenville, SC (April 2015) when I decided to accept a full time position at Pure Barre Corporate. I’m still teaching. I’m still taking. And I am most definitely still shaking. ❤