You’re never alone when you’re doing the barre3 Challenge. The entire barre3 team – home office staff, front desk, childcare workers, instructors, studio owners – is doing it with you and dealing with the same questions and experiencing the same successes. We’ll be highlighting ten of our team members on the blog throughout the month and sharing their experiences with you here. Take a peek below to get to know the team, and check back every Thursday throughout the barre3 Challenge for an update!
First Name: Andrew
Job Title at barre3: Producer and Instructor Trainer
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Why are you doing the Challenge?: I’m always up for a challenge, but the truth is lately I haven’t been working out as much as I should or eating right. I always have excuses like “I’m tired” or “I’ve been working all day.” It’s not wrong to have those days off, but I’ve been making it a habit. Every barre3 Challenge gives me the kick in the pants I need to ditch the excuses, take responsibility, and WORK! Once a challenge is over I feel invigorated, balanced, and accomplished. I’m ready to feel my best again!
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to?
It seems elementary, but when I get to put my sticker up on the challenge board, it excites me more than it should for a grown man.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)?
I’m anxious for the challenge to start. I’ve been feeling really tired lately, which comes from a lack of sleep, teaching a ton of classes, juggling work and a social life, and not working out. I find when I work out more, I sleep better.
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about?
I’m not really nervous about the challenge, but I know that the one recipe a week is going to throw me off. I need to practice a lot of restraint when shopping at the grocery store, and actually schedule time in my week to make meals instead of ordering Thai to go.
Instagram Handle: @andrewashmusic
First Name: Peter
Job Title at barre3: Director of Technology
Location: Portland
Why are you doing the Challenge?: To motivate myself to work out consistently so I can be stronger for my favorite winter sports (skiing and basketball).
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to?: I’m excited to not have to deliberate what to do for my workouts each week and to be reminded how great a consistent barre3 practice can feel.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)?: Ready to rebound from holiday excess.
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about?: I’m nervous about my wife, Kait, not teaching at her usual time on Mondays. It may be more difficult to start the week out strong without the pressure to attend her class!
Instagram Handle: @occasion_vibration
First Name: Tracey
Job Title at barre3 Marketing Manager
Location Portland, OR
Why are you doing the Challenge? I want to feel good for my wedding in April!
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? I’m looking forward to making my health and fitness routine a major priority rather than an afterthought.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? Too. Many. Bagels. I’m just wrapping up the holidays with family back East, and Jan 4th can’t come soon enough!
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? I’m going to attempt ‘dry January’ and am worried about how hard it will be to give up that Friday-night beer.
First Name: Catie
Job Title at barre3: Corporate Master Trainer
Location: PDX
Why are you doing the Challenge? I’ve traveled a ton in December for both work and vacation, and while it’s been super fun, but I am looking forward to a “reset”. Different time zones and eating out every day messes up my sleep and energy. Also, my mom, aunt, and cousins do barre3 in California (at Willow Glen and San Mateo), and we always love doing the challenges together!!
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? So many reasons! I totally love trying the new recipes. I also love scheduling time to take class from an instructor that I usually can’t take from, or booking time on my calendar for an online workout with the peeps in the office! Office workouts are my jam.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? At this moment…jet lagged and sleep deprived. I haven’t been in my normal workout or cooking routine because I was just in Mexico with my boyfriend and his family for a ton of R&R, and then flew to San Francisco to be with my family for Christmas. My time in Mexico was full of physical activity but, frankly, some dirty eating. A girl can only eat so much chips and guac, you know? Luckily my mom’s fridge was stocked with whole foods, so it set me up to reset before the challenge. I’m ready now!
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? I enjoy a glass of wine here and there, but I also love the feeling of going all in and ditching alcohol for a few weeks. Hoping I can find the right balance with that. Sleep is crucial for me and scheduling it, I know, will be the key for my success with this challenge. If I’m tired, then I don’t have energy to plan and shop for meals, let alone prep them.
Instagram Handle @catiefahrner
First Name: Natalie
Job Title at barre3: Marketing Coordinator
Location: Portland
Why are you doing the Challenge? I’m doing the challenge because I’ve always wanted to do one the entire way through, no giving up, staying focused and seeing how much better I feel after.
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to?
I’m excited to have my workout routine basically made up for me—and I love that it incorporates a 10-minute workout once a week. The recipes are a big bonus for me because I know I can reuse my favorites throughout the month. I plan to get my friends and family to do the Challenge with me, which will make it even more fun.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? I’m SO ready for a reset! I’m at the point of the holiday season where I’m unabashedly reaching for a cookie or chocolate no matter what time of day. I am feeling groggier and ready to kick the sugar cravings asap!
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? I’m nervous about the healthy-eating portion. I usually eat pretty healthy, but coming off of the holidays my sweet tooth is a bit out of control. I think happy hours or parties full of indulgences will be my biggest hurdle. I’m excited to be mindful throughout the challenge and pick healthy options.
First name: Dino
Job title at barre3: Studio Director
Location: West Village, NYC
Why are you doing the Challenge? I’m doing the Challenge because it gives me the chance to start fresh in 2016 and to really ground my focus on whole-body health.
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? I love the way barre3 Challenges bring people together. From instructors to newer and seasoned clients, there’s a really strong sense of support. This support happens inside the classroom, but my favorite is the support outside of the classroom, during the other 23 hours of the day. We empower one another, and that’s my favorite part.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? After spending the holiday at home with my Italian mother, who is a chef, I feel super ready to dive into the Challenge. The holidays are a time filled with so much joy, but there’s a lot of work that goes into making it happen. I’m going to take the next few days to rest and really charge up for January 4th!
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? I’m opting to ditch alcohol during the Challenge, and that makes me nervous to be honest. I love my glass of wine with my dinner, and I know it’ll be difficult to dine with friends who aren’t participating and are enjoying their glasses of wine. But, I know I’m going to feel amazing.
Instagram handle: @dinomalvone
First Name: Tranica
Job Title at barre3: Front Desk Staff
Location: UTC La Jolla, CA
Why are you doing the Challenge? I love a good challenge, and every barre3 Challenge is a good one in my book! I’m facing this challenge on new territory as a new mom. I’m to find a new level of mental and physical strength!
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? I am most looking forward to the mental clarity that I easily find with a consistent barre3 practice. Confident decisiveness is such a peace-ushering tool in daily life! I am ready to silence the negative self-talk and lingering fears and embrace the hope of being boundless.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? I am feeling such great expectation in the days leading up to the challenge. There is something so beautiful about anticipation. I’m excited for a great year ahead, and I’m loving the anticipation of a fresh beginning.
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? Full disclosure, I’m a little nervous about what my version of completing the challenge will look like. Finding the balance between outings that benefit this mama and precious baby-bonding moments can be a tender one at times. I’m so thankful I have the option to complete classes online when needed, and for the amazing childcare staff at my local studio who take such wonderful care of my little one while I take class. Neither of which I take for granted!
Instagram Handle @tranicaq
First Name: Colleen
Job Title at barre3: Front Desk Staff
Location: barre3 Druid Hills
Why are you doing the Challenge? I thought it would be a great way to kickstart my fitness goals for the New Year!
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? I am excited to grow stronger during these for weeks. I am also looking forward to connecting with the barre3 community as we experience the challenge together.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? Anxious, Excited, Determined
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? My sweet tooth getting in the way of eating clean.
First Name: Sarin
Job title at barre3: I’m part of the front desk welcome team at barre3 West Village, in New York City!
Why are you doing the Challenge? I’m doing the Challenge to strengthen my body and my form. Especially around the holidays, health can take a back seat, but I refuse! Since the Challenge starts first thing in 2016, I’ve incorporated it into my health and fitness aspirations for the new year!
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? I have a passion for leading by example and for inspiring others to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Living in the hustle of NYC, it can prove quite the challenge, but I am ready to tackle it!
Is there anything about the challenge you’re nervous about? Having the barre3 community hold me accountable is something I am equal parts excited and nervous about. It will be an honor to inspire my community as well as the barre3 community with my successes and failures during this challenge.
Instagram handle: @sarinmonae
First Name: Amy
Job Title at barre3: VP Sales + Marketing
Location: Portland, Or
Why are you doing the Challenge? I love the barre3 Challenges! January is a time to set my intention for the year and get clear. The structure and community aspect of a month-long challenge are key to sticking to it and reaping all the benefits. I consider this challenge a gift to myself. Focusing on the basics is something I am so ready for come January.
What excites you about doing the Challenge/What are you looking forward to? I’m looking forward to taking a ton of classes from different instructors! The Challenge forces me to get out of my usual routine and check out different studios and class times—I love this! I’m also happy to embrace clean eating. I’m pretty good about my eating habits in general, but getting serious about cooking whole foods for my family and planning meals will have huge impact on all of us.
How are you feeling right now (a few days out from the start)? Truthfully, I’m feeling worn-out. This holiday season has been nonstop. Lots of fun, but classic overcommitment syndrome over here. We’ve had a big year. I had a baby in April and life has been full of excitement as well as the natural stresses that come with being a working mom.
Is there anything about the Challenge you’re nervous about? I’m a coffee and wine gal. Not a lot of either, but they are definitely a part of my routine. I hit the Smith Tea hard during our Challenges, and Kombucha becomes a staple in my fridge. For me, it’s not so much about following the guidelines to the letter, but rather, committing to being more mindful about my choices.
Instagram Handle @amymarieleclerc
It’s not too late to join our team members. Sign up for the Challenge today!
