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From Rock Bottom to Radiant: How barre3 Helped Me Rebuild My Life From the Inside Out
When Kate Potterfield first walked into a barre3 studio in 2012, she was grieving the loss of her father and navigating a career that left her depleted. What began as a curious drop-in class became a turning point — one that reconnected her to joy, strength, and a deep sense of self.
Twelve years later, Kate is a longtime instructor, a new studio manager at barre3 DC 14th Street, and a wellness coach helping others live in alignment. In this reflection, she shares how barre3 became the foundation for a more balanced, fulfilling life — and why movement, when it’s rooted in mindfulness and community, can change everything.
Barre3 came into my life at a time that I desperately needed it. It was 2012. I was grieving the death of my father, who had been my hero and my best friend, and I was deeply unhappy in a demanding job that zapped all my energy. I was disconnected from what lit me up, made me “me,” and gave me purpose in life. Though I may have appeared “healthy” and “successful” on the outside, deep down I felt lost and unsatisfied. I didn’t have the energy or the vitality I knew I could have — and craved.
Images by Anna Meyer
A friend mentioned that a new barre3 studio had opened near my office. I’d never done barre, but given my affinity for yoga, I was curious! I remember stepping into the beautiful studio in Georgetown, with its exposed brick and ceiling beams, cork floors, and sleek blond wood accents. And I’ll never forget how that first class made me feel: challenged but successful. I found muscles I never knew existed and I felt excited by the new strength I could see in my future. Plus — and this was big — I wasn’t drained after the workout. Too many workouts left me feeling like a wet towel; barre3 gave me energy — and most importantly, it gave me joy. It reminded me how movement could feel GREAT and be fun, just as it had intuitively when I was a child.
And that was just the beginning.
Fast forward a few years: I had left that job, struck out on my own as a freelance consultant, and become a barre3 instructor. I was also learning to live with my grief over my dad’s passing, finding solace and hope in community and getting reattuned with my body. My life felt purposeful again — fulfilling, energizing, and healthy. I became “well” in a balanced, holistic way, and barre3 helped me do it. Here’s how.

The Foundation
The physical practice of barre3 plus the ethos behind it laid a foundation to come back to my body and back to my self. In class, I started to practice finding presence in my body and looking within myself for the answers I sought.
In barre3, we’re constantly checking in with ourselves: am I shaking because my muscles are healthfully challenged and getting stronger? Can I hold it for another breath to feel challenged but invigorated? Is it pain I should listen to or discomfort instead? And if it’s the latter, can I breathe through it to emerge anew?
These practices helped me reflect on my career path. Why did I feel so deeply drained by my day job? Did other people feel this way? Or was there another path for me, one that would more often give me energy and feed me rather than deplete me? Long story short, yes that path existed — and here I am today!
Barre3 helped me connect to this truth: the answers we seek are already within us. Our intuition, our deep inner knowing, is wise. We practice listening to it in class — and by doing so, we’re better equipped to trust ourselves beyond the studio.
It Should Feel Nourishing
Barre3 not only laid the foundation — it also nurtured my well-being with its core beliefs in balance and wholeness.
Movement should feel nourishing
Yes, it can feel challenging but in an invigorating, “oh my goodness, I can’t believe I did that and I’m getting stronger” kind of way. It feels amazing to build strength and endurance that is kind to my body and supports my life — how I walk my dog, hold my baby, sit at my computer, and show up for my loved ones.
Community should feel nourishing
I wasn’t much of a “joiner” before barre3. I had always preferred the comfort of my home and close friends to being part of a large group. But in barre3, I found a community that supported me and gave me the opportunity to show up for others. Because of that, I’ve become my most vibrant, engaged, and connected self.
How I talk to myself should feel nourishing
Barre3 taught me to speak to myself with kindness, based on the premise that I am already more than enough. I deserve to marvel in all my realness, my struggle, my dreams, and my perfectly imperfect present.

From Burned Out and Lost to a Life That Truly Lights Me Up
Today, I’ve been teaching barre3 for nearly a decade and I’m so excited to start a new position as our studio manager at barre3 DC 14th Street! I’m also a wellness and purpose coach, helping women reconnect to their core selves and a life that lights them up. I’m a good friend, a loving wife, and I’m a proud new mom to a precious, beautiful baby boy. Each of these identities are facets of my well-being — of living aligned to my true and best self. I’m continuing to grow and evolve in what that means, and thanks to barre3, I now have a framework that guides and supports it all.
Your path to balance, joy, and deeper self-trust starts here. Try barre3 online free for 14 days or find your local studio.
When Kate Potterfield first walked into a barre3 studio in 2012, she was grieving the loss of her father and navigating a career that left her depleted. What began as a curious drop-in class became a turning point — one that reconnected her to joy, strength, and a deep sense of self.
Twelve years later, Kate is a longtime instructor, a new studio manager at barre3 DC 14th Street, and a wellness coach helping others live in alignment. In this reflection, she shares how barre3 became the foundation for a more balanced, fulfilling life — and why movement, when it’s rooted in mindfulness and community, can change everything.
Barre3 came into my life at a time that I desperately needed it. It was 2012. I was grieving the death of my father, who had been my hero and my best friend, and I was deeply unhappy in a demanding job that zapped all my energy. I was disconnected from what lit me up, made me “me,” and gave me purpose in life. Though I may have appeared “healthy” and “successful” on the outside, deep down I felt lost and unsatisfied. I didn’t have the energy or the vitality I knew I could have — and craved.
Images by Anna Meyer
A friend mentioned that a new barre3 studio had opened near my office. I’d never done barre, but given my affinity for yoga, I was curious! I remember stepping into the beautiful studio in Georgetown, with its exposed brick and ceiling beams, cork floors, and sleek blond wood accents. And I’ll never forget how that first class made me feel: challenged but successful. I found muscles I never knew existed and I felt excited by the new strength I could see in my future. Plus — and this was big — I wasn’t drained after the workout. Too many workouts left me feeling like a wet towel; barre3 gave me energy — and most importantly, it gave me joy. It reminded me how movement could feel GREAT and be fun, just as it had intuitively when I was a child.
And that was just the beginning.
Fast forward a few years: I had left that job, struck out on my own as a freelance consultant, and become a barre3 instructor. I was also learning to live with my grief over my dad’s passing, finding solace and hope in community and getting reattuned with my body. My life felt purposeful again — fulfilling, energizing, and healthy. I became “well” in a balanced, holistic way, and barre3 helped me do it. Here’s how.

The Foundation
The physical practice of barre3 plus the ethos behind it laid a foundation to come back to my body and back to my self. In class, I started to practice finding presence in my body and looking within myself for the answers I sought.
In barre3, we’re constantly checking in with ourselves: am I shaking because my muscles are healthfully challenged and getting stronger? Can I hold it for another breath to feel challenged but invigorated? Is it pain I should listen to or discomfort instead? And if it’s the latter, can I breathe through it to emerge anew?
These practices helped me reflect on my career path. Why did I feel so deeply drained by my day job? Did other people feel this way? Or was there another path for me, one that would more often give me energy and feed me rather than deplete me? Long story short, yes that path existed — and here I am today!
Barre3 helped me connect to this truth: the answers we seek are already within us. Our intuition, our deep inner knowing, is wise. We practice listening to it in class — and by doing so, we’re better equipped to trust ourselves beyond the studio.
It Should Feel Nourishing
Barre3 not only laid the foundation — it also nurtured my well-being with its core beliefs in balance and wholeness.
Movement should feel nourishing
Yes, it can feel challenging but in an invigorating, “oh my goodness, I can’t believe I did that and I’m getting stronger” kind of way. It feels amazing to build strength and endurance that is kind to my body and supports my life — how I walk my dog, hold my baby, sit at my computer, and show up for my loved ones.
Community should feel nourishing
I wasn’t much of a “joiner” before barre3. I had always preferred the comfort of my home and close friends to being part of a large group. But in barre3, I found a community that supported me and gave me the opportunity to show up for others. Because of that, I’ve become my most vibrant, engaged, and connected self.
How I talk to myself should feel nourishing
Barre3 taught me to speak to myself with kindness, based on the premise that I am already more than enough. I deserve to marvel in all my realness, my struggle, my dreams, and my perfectly imperfect present.

From Burned Out and Lost to a Life That Truly Lights Me Up
Today, I’ve been teaching barre3 for nearly a decade and I’m so excited to start a new position as our studio manager at barre3 DC 14th Street! I’m also a wellness and purpose coach, helping women reconnect to their core selves and a life that lights them up. I’m a good friend, a loving wife, and I’m a proud new mom to a precious, beautiful baby boy. Each of these identities are facets of my well-being — of living aligned to my true and best self. I’m continuing to grow and evolve in what that means, and thanks to barre3, I now have a framework that guides and supports it all.
Your path to balance, joy, and deeper self-trust starts here. Try barre3 online free for 14 days or find your local studio.
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