If I had to pick one word to describe my friend Josi, it would be PASSIONATE. Josi lives her life fearlessly and with a fervor I don’t know I’ve ever seen before; she lives hard, loves hard, plays hard – but does so with intention, not recklessly. I first met Josi as a student in one of my Barre classes at Pursue Movement Studio. My first thought was “this girl knows how to work” and second “she knows how to move.” Because despite what some may say or think, there is a rhythm, a flow if you will, that exists in a (good) barre class – similar to the “flow” one would find in a mindful yoga practice or even a dance. This was actually one of the main reasons I was drawn to the barre practice; as someone who spent their life dancing, I appreciated the intelligent sequencing, the targeting of specific muscle groups – while at the same time the focus on maintaining posture and alignment within the movement. And Josi, well, this girl got me from day one!

You want to know how to become a fitness instructors “teacher’s pet”? Take their corrections and apply, then come back the next week for more. You want to get better at your practice? Seek humility – do things that challenge you and that maybe don’t look so pretty, and keep coming back week after week – willing to fail and to fall. This is what makes a great student, and this is the type of person Josi is and the type of student she is.

Beyond our mutual appreciation for movement, we also share a love for music. You see barre can, quite frankly, really suck sometimes. Like when you are really “in it”, struggling, shaking, everything in your body trembling and crying out to “quit” – that’s where the importance of a really good, blood pumping, push-you-past-your-edge song comes into play! If you’ve ever taken a barre class, a good one, you know what I’m talking about! I always love seeing my students, and especially Josi, get lost in a song while doing the work; they close their eyes, they are breathing, they are usually dripping with sweat, and sometimes even mouthing the words to the song – if they know it! It’s as if something primal takes over and the human connection to music, to sound, carries you through! If you’ve experienced it, it’s pretty powerful! I know Josi both experienced and appreciated it because a few months into attending my classes she started sending me song links from Spotify with a text that said something like “Wouldn’t this be a great song for thigh set?”, or “What about this for the stretch?”.  Or we would chat after class and she would ask me “What’s that song you played for second seat set?”. And so our relationship blossomed out of an appreciation for hard work and a love of really good music!

After some time Josi decided she wanted to go a little bit deeper with her health and wellness, than just a few barre classes every week, so she signed up to participate in one of my monthly virtual Bootcamps. At the time she shared with me that she was struggling with the nutrition component of her health and wellness and needed some direction and accountability. I remember she said to me “just tell me what to do and I will do it.” And I knew she would. So we embarked on a 30 day journey together and now I want to share Josi’s experience with you in her own words:

“It has taken all of my life to understand that fitness and thoughtful living aren’t a punishment or a task to struggle through but a gift that I can give to myself. In fact, I have learned that there is no greater act of self love than treating your body as you would a temple. My journey to this place has been one of self-loathing and countless false starts; to me, my body was this enemy that trapped me inside of a shell that I hated and barely understood. We didn’t work together, this body and me. And then one day I walked through the doors of a movement studio and in to one of Jen’s barre classes. I was suffering from a broken heart and all the self-loathing that comes with it. So to say that I arrived broken and beaten at her feet is not an understatement. It was kind of my “Hail Mary” moment; I had completely given up on myself. Somehow I just kept going and thank God I did. A few classes in and I was totally hooked. Not just on the small, mindful movements, but on Jen and her conscientious way of shaping our bodies. Little by little she gained my trust and I found myself looking to her for confidence and advice. I knew that putting my physical self in her hands would be worthwhile. And it was. I joined one of her private virtual Bootcamps and watched my body change into something new, something that I looked at with love. The most surprising thing about it all was that she truly cares about my progress. Daily texts to check in on me and my progress kept me honest, while her words of advice kept me on track. Jen continues to go so far above and beyond for me and all of her students, I always know that I can go to her for anything, including my upcoming knee surgery and my fears that I will lose what I have gained. Her faith, knowledge and kindness have helped me bridge the gap between myself and this body that I now love so very much. As I continue to grow, Jen is with me every step of the way and for that I will be forever grateful.”

Today Josi underwent knee surgery from an old injury. She went into surgery stronger than I have ever seen her before and with an unmatched confidence and focus! I know this surgery, while just a minor bump along her health and fitness journey, will bring her back stronger than ever! Join me in praying for this beautiful, fierce, strong woman tonight and that she makes a swift and full recovery! Love you girl!!!