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IN A RUT? THIS WOMAN WILL INSPIRE YOU
What is strength? We’re exploring the concept all month long by talking to strong women who inspire us. From budding artists to retirees, these women couldn’t be more different on paper, but they all have one thing in common: Somewhere along their journey, they’ve discovered that real strength can only come from within.
Have you ever noticed someone from afar and instantly known you could learn from them? That’s how we felt about Pam Cook, a client at barre3 North Williams, in Portland. A regular in the Monday, Wednesday, Friday noon classes, she exudes a quiet confidence that intrigued us right away. This was a woman we needed to know.
Then we sat down with Pam, and she pretty much blew us away. Her sense of independence, her authenticity, her ability to trust her intuition, her openness to trying new things…it all added up to a remarkable—and remarkably strong—woman who, just as we suspected, has so much to teach all of us. We’re so excited to share some Pam knowledge-bombs with you today.
ON INDEPENDENCE
I believe I was born with an independent streak. I was an extremely defiant kid, and I have vivid early childhood memories of wanting—needing—to do things for myself. Self awareness and time continue to teach me who I am, but being fiercely independent is a constant.
ON CREATING CHANGE
Sometimes we can get so caught up in our own narratives that we miss the wonderful opportunities that show up as uniquely our own. In 1989 I was beginning to feel stuck. I had been working at the same company for 10 years, and even though I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I knew I didn’t want to work there for the rest of my life. A friend invited me to join a seminar on human achievement and transformation. One of the quotes, “Create your future from your future, not your past, ” piqued my interest. I took a couple of seminars locally, and then I eventually signed up for a six-day retreat in northern California. That experience changed my life. I found the courage to quit my job, move, go back to school, and start a new job. Twenty-nine years later, memories of that time still evoke powerful emotions.
ON INTUITION
For me, intuition is all about trust. Our minds and bodies transmit signals to us all the time. It’s a matter of paying attention, not ignoring the cues and signs. Being aware.
ON SLOWING DOWN—AND BEING OK WITH IT
I’m retired now, and after running around at breakneck speed for 25-plus years, I’m allowing myself all the time I need to figure out what’s next. The only true schedule I keep is barre3—I’m a Monday, Wednesday, Friday girl!
ON LISTENING TO YOUR BODY
When I started barre3 I thought I was in relatively good shape—only to find out otherwise. I had to modify many moves just to keep pace with the class. B3 Burpees were my nemesis. I absolutely hated doing them, so instead I would do squats or push-ups at the bar. As I’ve grown stronger and more confident, modification is a conscious decision to honor my body exactly where I am. Once my body is warm, I can sense where there is tightness or a sticky spot, and I’ll modify a move based on how I feel. If that means moving slower than the rest of the class, so be it. Yep, sometimes I’m the one offbeat! I also love the intention of moving slower, focusing on connectivity versus rushing through. Give yourself permission to move with pure abandon. Discover grace in finding your own rhythm.
If you’ve made it to class, leave all stress, preoccupation, self consciousness, and first-world problems at the door. Forget about who’s next to you and what they’re doing. Do you—and only you! Set an intention, find a focal point, take up space, sweat, let the music carry you, and find joy in those 60 minutes.
ON STRENGTH
I feel strong when I intentionally take the time to sit down, quiet my mind, and ask the question: Who am I? When we can momentarily stop the incessant chatter in our head, sometimes we glimpse our soul—and when that happens there is no way one cannot feel strong.
Stay tuned for more #B3STRONG stories throughout March, and share yours with us here.
What is strength? We’re exploring the concept all month long by talking to strong women who inspire us. From budding artists to retirees, these women couldn’t be more different on paper, but they all have one thing in common: Somewhere along their journey, they’ve discovered that real strength can only come from within.
Have you ever noticed someone from afar and instantly known you could learn from them? That’s how we felt about Pam Cook, a client at barre3 North Williams, in Portland. A regular in the Monday, Wednesday, Friday noon classes, she exudes a quiet confidence that intrigued us right away. This was a woman we needed to know.
Then we sat down with Pam, and she pretty much blew us away. Her sense of independence, her authenticity, her ability to trust her intuition, her openness to trying new things…it all added up to a remarkable—and remarkably strong—woman who, just as we suspected, has so much to teach all of us. We’re so excited to share some Pam knowledge-bombs with you today.
ON INDEPENDENCE
I believe I was born with an independent streak. I was an extremely defiant kid, and I have vivid early childhood memories of wanting—needing—to do things for myself. Self awareness and time continue to teach me who I am, but being fiercely independent is a constant.
ON CREATING CHANGE
Sometimes we can get so caught up in our own narratives that we miss the wonderful opportunities that show up as uniquely our own. In 1989 I was beginning to feel stuck. I had been working at the same company for 10 years, and even though I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I knew I didn’t want to work there for the rest of my life. A friend invited me to join a seminar on human achievement and transformation. One of the quotes, “Create your future from your future, not your past, ” piqued my interest. I took a couple of seminars locally, and then I eventually signed up for a six-day retreat in northern California. That experience changed my life. I found the courage to quit my job, move, go back to school, and start a new job. Twenty-nine years later, memories of that time still evoke powerful emotions.
ON INTUITION
For me, intuition is all about trust. Our minds and bodies transmit signals to us all the time. It’s a matter of paying attention, not ignoring the cues and signs. Being aware.
ON SLOWING DOWN—AND BEING OK WITH IT
I’m retired now, and after running around at breakneck speed for 25-plus years, I’m allowing myself all the time I need to figure out what’s next. The only true schedule I keep is barre3—I’m a Monday, Wednesday, Friday girl!
ON LISTENING TO YOUR BODY
When I started barre3 I thought I was in relatively good shape—only to find out otherwise. I had to modify many moves just to keep pace with the class. B3 Burpees were my nemesis. I absolutely hated doing them, so instead I would do squats or push-ups at the bar. As I’ve grown stronger and more confident, modification is a conscious decision to honor my body exactly where I am. Once my body is warm, I can sense where there is tightness or a sticky spot, and I’ll modify a move based on how I feel. If that means moving slower than the rest of the class, so be it. Yep, sometimes I’m the one offbeat! I also love the intention of moving slower, focusing on connectivity versus rushing through. Give yourself permission to move with pure abandon. Discover grace in finding your own rhythm.
If you’ve made it to class, leave all stress, preoccupation, self consciousness, and first-world problems at the door. Forget about who’s next to you and what they’re doing. Do you—and only you! Set an intention, find a focal point, take up space, sweat, let the music carry you, and find joy in those 60 minutes.
ON STRENGTH
I feel strong when I intentionally take the time to sit down, quiet my mind, and ask the question: Who am I? When we can momentarily stop the incessant chatter in our head, sometimes we glimpse our soul—and when that happens there is no way one cannot feel strong.
Stay tuned for more #B3STRONG stories throughout March, and share yours with us here.
