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How barre3 Helped Sarah Broussard Rebuild Her Life—and Embrace Every Challenge
When life takes an unexpected turn, finding stability can feel out of reach. For Sarah Broussard, that moment came after a life-altering accident forced a complete reset—physically, mentally, and personally. What started as a search for a job during recovery led her to barre3 New Orleans, where she found not only work, but also a community that would change the trajectory of her healing.
From her very first day at the studio, Sarah showed up with passion and energy. She connected with clients by name, shared stories and laughter at the front desk, and leaned into the sense of belonging so many others have discovered at barre3. Over time, that same community became her anchor, offering structure, stability, and joy during a period of transition.
Nearly five years later, Sarah has become a cornerstone of barre3 New Orleans—leading with compassion, supporting her teammates, and inspiring clients with her authenticity. Her story is a reminder that movement can be more than exercise: it can be a way back to yourself, and a way forward into something even stronger.
You first came to barre3 while navigating a major life shift. What drew you to the studio, and how did it support you during that time?
Major is definitely the right word! I was recovering from a life-changing boat accident that was all over the local news, and I had just come back to New Orleans after having to move home with my parents due to my injuries.
I actually found barre3 through an Indeed post. I was trying to find a job while still recovering both physically and mentally, and Morgan [barre3 New Orleans studio owner] was the first—and really only—person to give me a chance. She really saw me as a person versus just another employee. It gave me a sense of community when everything I had planned for my life suddenly changed. Barre3 helped me realize I can always navigate a workout with modifications that feel good in my body while still challenging me.
What does the barre3 New Orleans community mean to you?
Truly, I don’t know where I would be without barre3. The structure and stability it provided me when my life was turned upside down is something I can never really explain. I have come to know almost all of my Uptown studio clients by name and love seeing them walk through the door. We share travel tips and tell each other about the best local restaurants and new shops. It has become a pivotal part of my life that makes me feel so grounded, and my clients feel the same.
How have you built a strong and connected front desk team?
I wouldn’t ask my front desk co-workers to do anything that I am not willing to do myself, and I think that makes them trust me. When issues arise during a shift, they know they can reach out to me for support and guidance.
I try to show up for them the same way they do for me, lead by example, and maintain strong communication. I know how hard it can be when you have five new clients walk through the door a minute before class and you still have to get everyone settled… Sometimes, it can be chaos, but when the staff feels supported it makes all the difference in the client’s experience.
What is it about barre3 that makes new clients want to come back?
The way you feel when leaving a class. I always tell both my new and long-time clients that you never regret taking a class, but you always regret missing one. I’m amazed by the range of styles we have among our instructors. Especially now that we offer extension classes, we really have something for everyone.
How has your relationship to fitness evolved since discovering barre3?
Our clients know I am always the first one to take a modification if it feels better for my body. I never want them to feel bad about having to adjust a workout so that it better serves them, and the instructors know they can point to me for examples when needed. It’s one of my favorite things about our workouts: they are made for every type of body.
What has surprised you about stepping into this role—not just as a team member, but as a leader?
The growth that I have been able to have within this community is the thing that surprised me the most. At first, I thought it would be just an easy part-time front desk job to help me while I applied to Occupational Therapy schools. But once I stepped into the role, it happened naturally. Morgan would ask me for help and I never turned any opportunity down.
I’ve surprised myself by becoming more outgoing. Sales was never really my strong point, but I learned that when you love what you’re selling, it doesn’t feel like sales. That is how I connect best with my clients, and they trust I will always make sure they are getting the best value when coming to our studios.
What motivates you to keep showing up with such purpose and passion every day?
Honestly, some days I can’t and that’s just the brutal truth. I used to put so much pressure on myself to give 150% all the time and that if something went wrong I should have done better. But the longer I have stayed at barre3, I’ve found a balance that allows me to no longer burn myself out and focus my efforts on the things that I believe will help the studio to grow and thrive.
My team helps each other out tremendously when one of us is facing a hard time. We show up for each other every day, and that makes me want to do the same for them.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the barre3 team?
Just take the leap and do it. It has taken me nearly five years to begin my instructor journey after working the desk for so long. But the support I received from everyone is so encouraging. I feel that the community is what makes it so easy to show up whether as a client or employee. You feel the need to check in with everyone and want to see each other succeed.
If you had to describe what barre3 means to you in one sentence, what would you say?
To me, barre3 means being able to be your true authentic self in a community that will always be there for you.
Your path to strength, joy, and deeper self-trust starts here. Find your local studio and sign up for your first class today.
When life takes an unexpected turn, finding stability can feel out of reach. For Sarah Broussard, that moment came after a life-altering accident forced a complete reset—physically, mentally, and personally. What started as a search for a job during recovery led her to barre3 New Orleans, where she found not only work, but also a community that would change the trajectory of her healing.
From her very first day at the studio, Sarah showed up with passion and energy. She connected with clients by name, shared stories and laughter at the front desk, and leaned into the sense of belonging so many others have discovered at barre3. Over time, that same community became her anchor, offering structure, stability, and joy during a period of transition.
Nearly five years later, Sarah has become a cornerstone of barre3 New Orleans—leading with compassion, supporting her teammates, and inspiring clients with her authenticity. Her story is a reminder that movement can be more than exercise: it can be a way back to yourself, and a way forward into something even stronger.
You first came to barre3 while navigating a major life shift. What drew you to the studio, and how did it support you during that time?
Major is definitely the right word! I was recovering from a life-changing boat accident that was all over the local news, and I had just come back to New Orleans after having to move home with my parents due to my injuries.
I actually found barre3 through an Indeed post. I was trying to find a job while still recovering both physically and mentally, and Morgan [barre3 New Orleans studio owner] was the first—and really only—person to give me a chance. She really saw me as a person versus just another employee. It gave me a sense of community when everything I had planned for my life suddenly changed. Barre3 helped me realize I can always navigate a workout with modifications that feel good in my body while still challenging me.
What does the barre3 New Orleans community mean to you?
Truly, I don’t know where I would be without barre3. The structure and stability it provided me when my life was turned upside down is something I can never really explain. I have come to know almost all of my Uptown studio clients by name and love seeing them walk through the door. We share travel tips and tell each other about the best local restaurants and new shops. It has become a pivotal part of my life that makes me feel so grounded, and my clients feel the same.
How have you built a strong and connected front desk team?
I wouldn’t ask my front desk co-workers to do anything that I am not willing to do myself, and I think that makes them trust me. When issues arise during a shift, they know they can reach out to me for support and guidance.
I try to show up for them the same way they do for me, lead by example, and maintain strong communication. I know how hard it can be when you have five new clients walk through the door a minute before class and you still have to get everyone settled… Sometimes, it can be chaos, but when the staff feels supported it makes all the difference in the client’s experience.
What is it about barre3 that makes new clients want to come back?
The way you feel when leaving a class. I always tell both my new and long-time clients that you never regret taking a class, but you always regret missing one. I’m amazed by the range of styles we have among our instructors. Especially now that we offer extension classes, we really have something for everyone.
How has your relationship to fitness evolved since discovering barre3?
Our clients know I am always the first one to take a modification if it feels better for my body. I never want them to feel bad about having to adjust a workout so that it better serves them, and the instructors know they can point to me for examples when needed. It’s one of my favorite things about our workouts: they are made for every type of body.
What has surprised you about stepping into this role—not just as a team member, but as a leader?
The growth that I have been able to have within this community is the thing that surprised me the most. At first, I thought it would be just an easy part-time front desk job to help me while I applied to Occupational Therapy schools. But once I stepped into the role, it happened naturally. Morgan would ask me for help and I never turned any opportunity down.
I’ve surprised myself by becoming more outgoing. Sales was never really my strong point, but I learned that when you love what you’re selling, it doesn’t feel like sales. That is how I connect best with my clients, and they trust I will always make sure they are getting the best value when coming to our studios.
What motivates you to keep showing up with such purpose and passion every day?
Honestly, some days I can’t and that’s just the brutal truth. I used to put so much pressure on myself to give 150% all the time and that if something went wrong I should have done better. But the longer I have stayed at barre3, I’ve found a balance that allows me to no longer burn myself out and focus my efforts on the things that I believe will help the studio to grow and thrive.
My team helps each other out tremendously when one of us is facing a hard time. We show up for each other every day, and that makes me want to do the same for them.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the barre3 team?
Just take the leap and do it. It has taken me nearly five years to begin my instructor journey after working the desk for so long. But the support I received from everyone is so encouraging. I feel that the community is what makes it so easy to show up whether as a client or employee. You feel the need to check in with everyone and want to see each other succeed.
If you had to describe what barre3 means to you in one sentence, what would you say?
To me, barre3 means being able to be your true authentic self in a community that will always be there for you.
Your path to strength, joy, and deeper self-trust starts here. Find your local studio and sign up for your first class today.
