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WE ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE SUPERHEROES. HERE’S THE PROOF.
We’ve been asking you to submit your #B3STRONG stories, and we’re blown away by all the submissions! Last week we published our first round-up of stories, and this week we’re back with round two. Read on for some major inspiration. Have your own #B3STRONG story? Share it with us here!
“For years, I’ve done various exercise regimens, gym classes, and diets, but none ever stuck. When it came to exercising, most of the time I would end the workout being completely depleted. Either I would melt onto the floor and lie there for a while to catch my breath, or I would hobble off concerned about how the high-impact exercises affected my knees. When it came to trying out new diets, I always felt like I was sacrificing taste. So then, I would begrudgingly eat healthier meals only to gorge on some sweet snack later.
One summer, a friend introduced to me B3 Online at the height of my dissatisfaction in my fitness and diet. I tried an online class and quickly fell in love. Unlike my previous exercises, barre3 left me feeling energized. I also have to add that the energy was consistently sustaining. As a first-grade teacher who doesn’t consume caffeine, I needed something that would wake me up and keep me alert the whole day. I found that in barre3.
I recently completed the B3 ALL IN program. By the end, I was most proud (and surprised) that I had the mental capacity, tenacity, and strength to follow through with the commitments involved in B3 ALL IN. I never thought I would have the stamina or the fortitude to commit to something like this. What’s great is that even after B3 ALL IN, I’ve still maintained the healthy habits after the program was over! My main takeaways from B3 ALL IN were: 1) Progress over perfection; 2) It’s about connecting with people; relationships; 3) Eat whole foods! I am so grateful for the joy and balance I’ve found in barre3.” – Nga Lam
“The most amazing thing about choosing bravery and strength and opting into B3 isn’t the improvement to my body. It’s the fact that now, on really tough days when I’m struggling to help my daughter, who suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder, find her calm mind, I can hear the phrases the instructors use, the ones that get me through the work: “This is hard, it’s okay.” “Breathe deep; try to find some grace.” “This is only a moment. Stay with it.” These internal voices bring deep breaths and new moments of trust. We are all going to get there.” – Sheila
“I started barre3 after a coworker mentioned loving the workouts. I was a bit hesitant because I had been a hardcore runner for a while, but I had to take a break from running to heal an injury. I’d also had a recent breakup that left me in a pretty bad place.
I didn’t automatically fall in love with the workouts, because my go-go-go running mentality was not used to being gentle on my body and being present (outside of being on a long run). But after a few months I started noticing my abs and glutes feeling stronger and my posture improving. There were also times where the workouts were so restorative that they felt like a healing balm for my aching heart. Sometimes the sweat mixed with tears, but each time I felt more grounded and started really embracing the idea of self-love and compassion.
The cherry on the top was that at some point in the past two years I met someone, and he happened to live near the studio. I jokingly said the relationship had now a higher chance of success since I would stop by his house on my way to the studio for a kiss and to change into my workout outfit. We are getting married in September, and he’s always supportive of me setting time aside to refill my cup. I have an 11-year-old daughter, and I can’t wait for her to be old enough to try the classes with me and experience this community of supportive, inspiring, and strong women.” – Dulce Carrillo
“I found barre3 a little over a year ago during a particularly chaotic time in my life. I had recently come back to work from maternity leave into a new leadership role as charge RN in a busy clinic. I was adjusting to life as a mom of two and trying to figure out how to be a leader for a group of people I had never worked with before. I quickly became overwhelmed and filled with self doubt. I basically felt like I wasn’t doing a good enough job in every area of my life. I felt depleted in mind, body, and spirit.
A friend of mine introduced me to barre3 class one day, and it was love at first Sumo Squat. I became an online member first, doing the workouts on my lunch break. I’d push play at home on the weekends, and my kids and I would do them together. A few months ago, I decided to take the plunge and become a studio member. And what a blessing it has been in my life! I’m now going to class 4-5 days a week and still doing 1-2 online classes per week.
As expected, I’ve noticed positive changes in my body. My arms are more firm and my belly looks more toned post two kids, and my booty hasn’t been this perky since college. Most importantly, my mindset is improving every day. I used to frequently feed myself messages such as “you are failing, do better.” Now my mental chatter has shifted to, “you can do hard things, be kind to yourself.” Of course there are still hard days…juggling the working mom thing is tough work but I now have the barre3 arsenal to help keep me trucking. I’m so grateful for this beautiful community!” – Sydney
“I grew up in a very close-knit family, so when I lost my dad to an extremely rare cancer, I felt paralyzed. There was no way I could navigate life without him without him. I didn’t have a community of support here in Portland and missed dancing (after retiring the year before). I started barre3, and most days it was the only thing that got me out of bed. It saved my life in so many ways. I found resilience through strength in classes at time when I felt so weak. Each time I walked through the studio doors any smile was appreciated, it was hope. Hope that maybe I could get through one of the most devastating times in my life. I was able to honor the fear and sadness, while finding my strength. Barre3 is more than a workout, it’s strength, resilience, support and hope. I’m forever grateful for B3 always being there when I need it the most. – Elizabeth
“I’m a psychotherapist, radio show host, speaker, and author of three books. I was always passionate about my work, but today I have an even deeper purpose and motivation because four years ago, my husband and soul mate of 42 years took his life.
Mike was a very successful dentist, pilot, and activist in the community. He got sick quickly with a mental illness and a lot of lie-based thinking. As a clinician, I have seen how destructive thought patterns have dismantled the hearts and lives of so many of my clients, causing them to hide, feel shame, and believe they are unlovable and inadequate. I’ve seen them withdraw, isolate, self-harm, become addicted, and shut down their hearts. I’ve been privy to the lies they’ve believed about themselves, others, and the world around them, and how those lies have kept them from doing the one thing necessary to move toward healing–tell their stories.
So after this tragedy, I go around speaking telling my story in the hopes that it will be a catalyst for strength, resiliency, and healing for others. As I emerged from my dark night of the soul ( I had PTSD as a result of the trauma), I finished my second book, continued my radio show, and had the awesome privilege of doing TV and radio interviews.
The other key ingredient: exercise! Always an avid exerciser, I couldn’t do one push up for five months. Then, slowly, I began to challenge myself to do just one. Then five. Each day, I pressed on until I was back up to my 20. I started doing yoga, which led me to barre3. So now, I incorporate the research data on how exercise raises the endorphins and enkephalins in the brain to help spur people on to strong physical health.” – Rita
We’d love to hear your #B3STRONG story! Tell us all about it here.
We’ve been asking you to submit your #B3STRONG stories, and we’re blown away by all the submissions! Last week we published our first round-up of stories, and this week we’re back with round two. Read on for some major inspiration. Have your own #B3STRONG story? Share it with us here!
“For years, I’ve done various exercise regimens, gym classes, and diets, but none ever stuck. When it came to exercising, most of the time I would end the workout being completely depleted. Either I would melt onto the floor and lie there for a while to catch my breath, or I would hobble off concerned about how the high-impact exercises affected my knees. When it came to trying out new diets, I always felt like I was sacrificing taste. So then, I would begrudgingly eat healthier meals only to gorge on some sweet snack later.
One summer, a friend introduced to me B3 Online at the height of my dissatisfaction in my fitness and diet. I tried an online class and quickly fell in love. Unlike my previous exercises, barre3 left me feeling energized. I also have to add that the energy was consistently sustaining. As a first-grade teacher who doesn’t consume caffeine, I needed something that would wake me up and keep me alert the whole day. I found that in barre3.
I recently completed the B3 ALL IN program. By the end, I was most proud (and surprised) that I had the mental capacity, tenacity, and strength to follow through with the commitments involved in B3 ALL IN. I never thought I would have the stamina or the fortitude to commit to something like this. What’s great is that even after B3 ALL IN, I’ve still maintained the healthy habits after the program was over! My main takeaways from B3 ALL IN were: 1) Progress over perfection; 2) It’s about connecting with people; relationships; 3) Eat whole foods! I am so grateful for the joy and balance I’ve found in barre3.” – Nga Lam
“The most amazing thing about choosing bravery and strength and opting into B3 isn’t the improvement to my body. It’s the fact that now, on really tough days when I’m struggling to help my daughter, who suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder, find her calm mind, I can hear the phrases the instructors use, the ones that get me through the work: “This is hard, it’s okay.” “Breathe deep; try to find some grace.” “This is only a moment. Stay with it.” These internal voices bring deep breaths and new moments of trust. We are all going to get there.” – Sheila
“I started barre3 after a coworker mentioned loving the workouts. I was a bit hesitant because I had been a hardcore runner for a while, but I had to take a break from running to heal an injury. I’d also had a recent breakup that left me in a pretty bad place.
I didn’t automatically fall in love with the workouts, because my go-go-go running mentality was not used to being gentle on my body and being present (outside of being on a long run). But after a few months I started noticing my abs and glutes feeling stronger and my posture improving. There were also times where the workouts were so restorative that they felt like a healing balm for my aching heart. Sometimes the sweat mixed with tears, but each time I felt more grounded and started really embracing the idea of self-love and compassion.
The cherry on the top was that at some point in the past two years I met someone, and he happened to live near the studio. I jokingly said the relationship had now a higher chance of success since I would stop by his house on my way to the studio for a kiss and to change into my workout outfit. We are getting married in September, and he’s always supportive of me setting time aside to refill my cup. I have an 11-year-old daughter, and I can’t wait for her to be old enough to try the classes with me and experience this community of supportive, inspiring, and strong women.” – Dulce Carrillo
“I found barre3 a little over a year ago during a particularly chaotic time in my life. I had recently come back to work from maternity leave into a new leadership role as charge RN in a busy clinic. I was adjusting to life as a mom of two and trying to figure out how to be a leader for a group of people I had never worked with before. I quickly became overwhelmed and filled with self doubt. I basically felt like I wasn’t doing a good enough job in every area of my life. I felt depleted in mind, body, and spirit.
A friend of mine introduced me to barre3 class one day, and it was love at first Sumo Squat. I became an online member first, doing the workouts on my lunch break. I’d push play at home on the weekends, and my kids and I would do them together. A few months ago, I decided to take the plunge and become a studio member. And what a blessing it has been in my life! I’m now going to class 4-5 days a week and still doing 1-2 online classes per week.
As expected, I’ve noticed positive changes in my body. My arms are more firm and my belly looks more toned post two kids, and my booty hasn’t been this perky since college. Most importantly, my mindset is improving every day. I used to frequently feed myself messages such as “you are failing, do better.” Now my mental chatter has shifted to, “you can do hard things, be kind to yourself.” Of course there are still hard days…juggling the working mom thing is tough work but I now have the barre3 arsenal to help keep me trucking. I’m so grateful for this beautiful community!” – Sydney
“I grew up in a very close-knit family, so when I lost my dad to an extremely rare cancer, I felt paralyzed. There was no way I could navigate life without him without him. I didn’t have a community of support here in Portland and missed dancing (after retiring the year before). I started barre3, and most days it was the only thing that got me out of bed. It saved my life in so many ways. I found resilience through strength in classes at time when I felt so weak. Each time I walked through the studio doors any smile was appreciated, it was hope. Hope that maybe I could get through one of the most devastating times in my life. I was able to honor the fear and sadness, while finding my strength. Barre3 is more than a workout, it’s strength, resilience, support and hope. I’m forever grateful for B3 always being there when I need it the most. – Elizabeth
“I’m a psychotherapist, radio show host, speaker, and author of three books. I was always passionate about my work, but today I have an even deeper purpose and motivation because four years ago, my husband and soul mate of 42 years took his life.
Mike was a very successful dentist, pilot, and activist in the community. He got sick quickly with a mental illness and a lot of lie-based thinking. As a clinician, I have seen how destructive thought patterns have dismantled the hearts and lives of so many of my clients, causing them to hide, feel shame, and believe they are unlovable and inadequate. I’ve seen them withdraw, isolate, self-harm, become addicted, and shut down their hearts. I’ve been privy to the lies they’ve believed about themselves, others, and the world around them, and how those lies have kept them from doing the one thing necessary to move toward healing–tell their stories.
So after this tragedy, I go around speaking telling my story in the hopes that it will be a catalyst for strength, resiliency, and healing for others. As I emerged from my dark night of the soul ( I had PTSD as a result of the trauma), I finished my second book, continued my radio show, and had the awesome privilege of doing TV and radio interviews.
The other key ingredient: exercise! Always an avid exerciser, I couldn’t do one push up for five months. Then, slowly, I began to challenge myself to do just one. Then five. Each day, I pressed on until I was back up to my 20. I started doing yoga, which led me to barre3. So now, I incorporate the research data on how exercise raises the endorphins and enkephalins in the brain to help spur people on to strong physical health.” – Rita
We’d love to hear your #B3STRONG story! Tell us all about it here.
