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A Blogger Shares How barre3 Helped Her Emerge From Burnout and Find Hope Again
Rachel Werner is a writer, mother, content-marketing specialist, and fitness enthusiast. After years of pushing through life without stopping for rest and self-care, Rachel shares how barre3 offered her a new sense of hope and possibility.
Read on to discover Rachel’s story in her own words, including how she made the decision to leave a toxic work culture, follow her passion, and discover a new community in barre3.
A body is constantly in motion. This statement described every facet of my life for two decades, including my goals, my relationships, my career—even where I lived for a number of years as I country-hopped around the globe.
Why was I driven to stay in constant motion? Disillusionment coupled with a seemingly insatiable desire for more was an unwelcome neighbor obnoxiously pounding on the back door of my mind and spirit. After the loss of my parents, a 15-year battle with anorexia, and a tumultuous marriage annulment, I felt hopeless. This phase ended as significant moments in life tend to—at a distinctive crossroads. The initial weeks after my daughter was born were filled with infinite changes. Months flew by before the realization hit that every facet of my life had definitively and irreversibly been changed.
Little did I know, five years later I would again be emerging from a haze of imbalance as my perception of my professional and personal goals began to shift once again. Thankfully, becoming a mother had replenished my natural propensity for perseverance and tenacity.
After having spent almost five years working in the local media, in addition to a clocking regular hours on the side as a fitness instructor, I was burnt out—on an EPIC level.
The daily grind was really taking a toll on my physical and mental wellbeing. Unhealthy behavior patterns with eating and exercise began to resurface. I finally came to admit that the constant pressure to excel in my primary career was nonsensical, especially since the work culture was quite toxic. I was also growing restless being a magazine editor because I had less and less time to write—my true passion.
So a little over a year ago, I took a new day job as content-marketing specialist at an arts-centered nonprofit organization, which allowed me to infuse more self-care into my life again as well as to start teaching writing and marketing classes for other creatives. I finally had more free time to pursue my artistic endeavors, plus explore a more restorative path to maintaining an active lifestyle.
And then, this January, barre3 Madison invited me to an event for local influencers. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have had in 2020 so far.
The exercises were an ideal combo of cardio and strength conditioning. But even more striking to me was the sincere warmth of the barre3 staff.
The positive vibes lingered all night as we all stayed to hang out for more than an hour after the class was over.
So I came back again a few days later, and within a month, I was taking at least three classes a week. It wasn’t just the stellar workout that brought me back; it was also the centering breathwork at the end of each class. Even after having practiced yoga for more than 18 years, I had never been able to embrace a mindfulness practice until barre3.
And then, just two months later, my fitness options became significantly limited due to stay-at-home orders. But the barre3 online content is helping me stay strong holistically during this pandemic. I’ve become a part of the barre3 online community, and my gratitude for the company has only grown. I’m able to still feel physically challenged, yet I always feel more energized than depleted at the end. And my daughter (who is now 9 years old) really enjoys doing the mindful workouts with me, too.
I’ve loved connecting with the community on social media (anyone else dance their hearts out to Andrew’s dance party?). And our studio here in Madison has been hosting pop-up happy hours—virtually, of course.
I only want to deepen my connection to barre3, in particular when the health-care crisis has passed. I’m not sure what that looks like exactly moving forward. Perhaps I’ll explore teacher training. The beauty is I’m in no rush to figure every detail out. Being plugged in to barre3’s daily communal flow is helping me finally value process over product.
You can learn more and follow along with Rachel on Instagram.
Ready to start your barre3 journey? When you sign up for a 15-day free trial of barre3 online, you get unlimited access to hundreds of online workouts and more. Join today!
Feature image credit: Horizon Fitness.
Rachel Werner is a writer, mother, content-marketing specialist, and fitness enthusiast. After years of pushing through life without stopping for rest and self-care, Rachel shares how barre3 offered her a new sense of hope and possibility.
Read on to discover Rachel’s story in her own words, including how she made the decision to leave a toxic work culture, follow her passion, and discover a new community in barre3.
A body is constantly in motion. This statement described every facet of my life for two decades, including my goals, my relationships, my career—even where I lived for a number of years as I country-hopped around the globe.
Why was I driven to stay in constant motion? Disillusionment coupled with a seemingly insatiable desire for more was an unwelcome neighbor obnoxiously pounding on the back door of my mind and spirit. After the loss of my parents, a 15-year battle with anorexia, and a tumultuous marriage annulment, I felt hopeless. This phase ended as significant moments in life tend to—at a distinctive crossroads. The initial weeks after my daughter was born were filled with infinite changes. Months flew by before the realization hit that every facet of my life had definitively and irreversibly been changed.
Little did I know, five years later I would again be emerging from a haze of imbalance as my perception of my professional and personal goals began to shift once again. Thankfully, becoming a mother had replenished my natural propensity for perseverance and tenacity.
After having spent almost five years working in the local media, in addition to a clocking regular hours on the side as a fitness instructor, I was burnt out—on an EPIC level.
The daily grind was really taking a toll on my physical and mental wellbeing. Unhealthy behavior patterns with eating and exercise began to resurface. I finally came to admit that the constant pressure to excel in my primary career was nonsensical, especially since the work culture was quite toxic. I was also growing restless being a magazine editor because I had less and less time to write—my true passion.
So a little over a year ago, I took a new day job as content-marketing specialist at an arts-centered nonprofit organization, which allowed me to infuse more self-care into my life again as well as to start teaching writing and marketing classes for other creatives. I finally had more free time to pursue my artistic endeavors, plus explore a more restorative path to maintaining an active lifestyle.
And then, this January, barre3 Madison invited me to an event for local influencers. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have had in 2020 so far.
The exercises were an ideal combo of cardio and strength conditioning. But even more striking to me was the sincere warmth of the barre3 staff.
The positive vibes lingered all night as we all stayed to hang out for more than an hour after the class was over.
So I came back again a few days later, and within a month, I was taking at least three classes a week. It wasn’t just the stellar workout that brought me back; it was also the centering breathwork at the end of each class. Even after having practiced yoga for more than 18 years, I had never been able to embrace a mindfulness practice until barre3.
And then, just two months later, my fitness options became significantly limited due to stay-at-home orders. But the barre3 online content is helping me stay strong holistically during this pandemic. I’ve become a part of the barre3 online community, and my gratitude for the company has only grown. I’m able to still feel physically challenged, yet I always feel more energized than depleted at the end. And my daughter (who is now 9 years old) really enjoys doing the mindful workouts with me, too.
I’ve loved connecting with the community on social media (anyone else dance their hearts out to Andrew’s dance party?). And our studio here in Madison has been hosting pop-up happy hours—virtually, of course.
I only want to deepen my connection to barre3, in particular when the health-care crisis has passed. I’m not sure what that looks like exactly moving forward. Perhaps I’ll explore teacher training. The beauty is I’m in no rush to figure every detail out. Being plugged in to barre3’s daily communal flow is helping me finally value process over product.
You can learn more and follow along with Rachel on Instagram.
Ready to start your barre3 journey? When you sign up for a 15-day free trial of barre3 online, you get unlimited access to hundreds of online workouts and more. Join today!
Feature image credit: Horizon Fitness.
