Connect
FROM BRAIN SURGERY TO BARRE3: ONE CLIENT’S STORY
On Memorial Day weekend in 2016, I went out on a beautiful day, bought a shiny new bicycle, and went for a ride to a friend’s house. I lost control as I was riding downhill and took a spill, scraping my side and hitting my head (luckily I was wearing a helmet!). I walked my bike back home and drove to my friend’s house, and later my dad took me to the ER so I could get checked for a concussion.
After multiple scans, transfers, and endless waiting, I learned that I had a benign tumor growing from my vestibular nerves. It was roughly the size of a golf ball and was pushing my brain off center. I was scheduled to have it removed in July. In the span of a day, I went from a new bike to scheduled brain surgery.
Whose body is this?
Before the diagnosis, I had always been active, regularly running and doing online workouts at home. But learning about the tumor shook me to the core. Suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t trust my body anymore.
In retrospect, there had been warning signs—even some that I had asked my doctor about. I’d always had migraines, but for the past six months or so I had noticed a change in how they acted. I started getting auroras in my vision and even experienced numbness in my fingers and nose. I would also get light-headed very easily. When I’d turn my head upside down to put a towel over my hair and flip back up, I’d get dizzy. I told my doctor about these symptoms and she blamed my low blood pressure, told me to eat a pretzel for the salt, and gave me medicine to combat the symptoms.
The surgery, and the (wobbly) recovery
The surgery itself took about 12 hours. I was under the whole time, and I woke to learn that I had suffered total hearing loss on my left side. Considering some of the other risks associated with brain surgery—from facial “droop” to a fatal stroke—I considered hearing loss a victory.
I left the hospital two days later and stayed with my dad and his girlfriend for the next two months while I recovered. My eyes were literally shaking for the first several days after surgery, and if I tried to look straight ahead I felt like I’d vomit. I also struggled with focusing on small details (no adult coloring books for me). My biggest challenge, though, was walking. Your vestibular nerves are responsible for balance, and since mine were damaged during surgery, simply walking across the room was no easy task. I even felt a mild sense of vertigo while standing still. My dad and his girlfriend helped me a ton, and I relied a lot on walls to steady myself as I relearned how to walk.
Finding my fresh start
By September my doctors cleared me to resume life as normal. I had regained confidence in my feet and was eager to bring fitness back into my routine. I started with my at-home workouts and was quickly discouraged. My head was still sensitive, and it seemed like I could only last five minutes before it would ache. A few months later I saw the banner announcing that a barre3 studio was opening near my work. I had tried a barre class before and knew I liked the workout style, but I wasn’t familiar with barre3. Still, I went online and bought the founding-member package before ever having tried a class.
December came, I went to my first class. Justine, an Instructor and Mentor at barre3 Solon, taught that day, and she gave me direction and encouraged me. I was in love. I left ready to come back for more. I started taking about five to six classes per week, and before long, I noticed my body getting stronger, my balance getting better, and my confidence growing. A few months later I saw an announcement about an information session for anyone interested in becoming an instructor. I remember that the poster read something like “Do you glow when you talk about barre3?” and I knew I had to go. I GUSHED about barre3 to everyone who gave me an excuse to talk about it—and when they didn’t, I created a reason.
Despite my newfound confidence with my strength and balance, I was terrified about the instructor audition. I practiced like a madwoman. I even taped myself practicing and sent it to my mentor, Justine. I wasn’t really confident and wasn’t convinced I could look the part while talking, moving, and counting. I had been taking barre3 for almost a year at this point, and I played an instrument so I was confident in my musicality, but that was all the experience I really had. I think I did three or four tapings before Justine and I settled on one that was “just right.”
All my hard work paid off: In October I made my way to Portland for training and got certified as an instructor. Hearing made for a bit of a challenge—I wasn’t exactly aware of how loud or soft the music was and how my mic compared—but we came up with creative solutions. Justine put marks on the dial in our studio so I have an idea of where to turn it. When talking to clients, I always make sure to put myself on the correct side so I can actually hear how they’re feeling and provide assistance.
What a difference a year makes
Four weeks ago, I finished a half marathon—something I never dreamed of doing, even pre-surgery. I had never run more than six miles in my life, so training for a long run wasn’t something I thought about. And in fact, I didn’t train for this one—not officially, at least. Some of my friends were planning to run it, and one of them had brought an extra pair of shoes that happened to be in my size. I figured I’d run a bit and walk the rest. My only prep was the four classes I teach and the one or two I take each week. But thanks to all of the barre3 breathwork and the endurance I gained from teaching and taking classes, I was able to run the entire thing! I am so proud of that.
This week marks my one-year anniversary as an instructor, and I can’t imagine my life without barre3. This lifestyle has helped grow me into a woman I never knew I could become. I struggled with confidence throughout my life, but when I get to lead a class, I’m filled with a pride and confidence that has seeped into my personal life as well. I’ve achieved a sense of self I never knew before. I’m constantly surrounded by positive and powerful women who encourage and inspire every day, My studio team is my tribe, my family. Barre3 came into my life at a time when I needed it most. It’s been an essential part of my life’s journey, and I still gush about it to anyone and everyone who will listen.
On Memorial Day weekend in 2016, I went out on a beautiful day, bought a shiny new bicycle, and went for a ride to a friend’s house. I lost control as I was riding downhill and took a spill, scraping my side and hitting my head (luckily I was wearing a helmet!). I walked my bike back home and drove to my friend’s house, and later my dad took me to the ER so I could get checked for a concussion.
After multiple scans, transfers, and endless waiting, I learned that I had a benign tumor growing from my vestibular nerves. It was roughly the size of a golf ball and was pushing my brain off center. I was scheduled to have it removed in July. In the span of a day, I went from a new bike to scheduled brain surgery.
Whose body is this?
Before the diagnosis, I had always been active, regularly running and doing online workouts at home. But learning about the tumor shook me to the core. Suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t trust my body anymore.
In retrospect, there had been warning signs—even some that I had asked my doctor about. I’d always had migraines, but for the past six months or so I had noticed a change in how they acted. I started getting auroras in my vision and even experienced numbness in my fingers and nose. I would also get light-headed very easily. When I’d turn my head upside down to put a towel over my hair and flip back up, I’d get dizzy. I told my doctor about these symptoms and she blamed my low blood pressure, told me to eat a pretzel for the salt, and gave me medicine to combat the symptoms.
The surgery, and the (wobbly) recovery
The surgery itself took about 12 hours. I was under the whole time, and I woke to learn that I had suffered total hearing loss on my left side. Considering some of the other risks associated with brain surgery—from facial “droop” to a fatal stroke—I considered hearing loss a victory.
I left the hospital two days later and stayed with my dad and his girlfriend for the next two months while I recovered. My eyes were literally shaking for the first several days after surgery, and if I tried to look straight ahead I felt like I’d vomit. I also struggled with focusing on small details (no adult coloring books for me). My biggest challenge, though, was walking. Your vestibular nerves are responsible for balance, and since mine were damaged during surgery, simply walking across the room was no easy task. I even felt a mild sense of vertigo while standing still. My dad and his girlfriend helped me a ton, and I relied a lot on walls to steady myself as I relearned how to walk.
Finding my fresh start
By September my doctors cleared me to resume life as normal. I had regained confidence in my feet and was eager to bring fitness back into my routine. I started with my at-home workouts and was quickly discouraged. My head was still sensitive, and it seemed like I could only last five minutes before it would ache. A few months later I saw the banner announcing that a barre3 studio was opening near my work. I had tried a barre class before and knew I liked the workout style, but I wasn’t familiar with barre3. Still, I went online and bought the founding-member package before ever having tried a class.
December came, I went to my first class. Justine, an Instructor and Mentor at barre3 Solon, taught that day, and she gave me direction and encouraged me. I was in love. I left ready to come back for more. I started taking about five to six classes per week, and before long, I noticed my body getting stronger, my balance getting better, and my confidence growing. A few months later I saw an announcement about an information session for anyone interested in becoming an instructor. I remember that the poster read something like “Do you glow when you talk about barre3?” and I knew I had to go. I GUSHED about barre3 to everyone who gave me an excuse to talk about it—and when they didn’t, I created a reason.
Despite my newfound confidence with my strength and balance, I was terrified about the instructor audition. I practiced like a madwoman. I even taped myself practicing and sent it to my mentor, Justine. I wasn’t really confident and wasn’t convinced I could look the part while talking, moving, and counting. I had been taking barre3 for almost a year at this point, and I played an instrument so I was confident in my musicality, but that was all the experience I really had. I think I did three or four tapings before Justine and I settled on one that was “just right.”
All my hard work paid off: In October I made my way to Portland for training and got certified as an instructor. Hearing made for a bit of a challenge—I wasn’t exactly aware of how loud or soft the music was and how my mic compared—but we came up with creative solutions. Justine put marks on the dial in our studio so I have an idea of where to turn it. When talking to clients, I always make sure to put myself on the correct side so I can actually hear how they’re feeling and provide assistance.
What a difference a year makes
Four weeks ago, I finished a half marathon—something I never dreamed of doing, even pre-surgery. I had never run more than six miles in my life, so training for a long run wasn’t something I thought about. And in fact, I didn’t train for this one—not officially, at least. Some of my friends were planning to run it, and one of them had brought an extra pair of shoes that happened to be in my size. I figured I’d run a bit and walk the rest. My only prep was the four classes I teach and the one or two I take each week. But thanks to all of the barre3 breathwork and the endurance I gained from teaching and taking classes, I was able to run the entire thing! I am so proud of that.
This week marks my one-year anniversary as an instructor, and I can’t imagine my life without barre3. This lifestyle has helped grow me into a woman I never knew I could become. I struggled with confidence throughout my life, but when I get to lead a class, I’m filled with a pride and confidence that has seeped into my personal life as well. I’ve achieved a sense of self I never knew before. I’m constantly surrounded by positive and powerful women who encourage and inspire every day, My studio team is my tribe, my family. Barre3 came into my life at a time when I needed it most. It’s been an essential part of my life’s journey, and I still gush about it to anyone and everyone who will listen.
