Category: J Stories

What inspired you to start Intuitive Training? 

Intuitive Training started pretty unexpectedly. I was a personal trainer before becoming a mom, and while I was pregnant, I became a certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist because I wanted to better understand how to support women through this season. 

But even with all of my knowledge, experience, and love of movement, it was incredibly difficult for me to muster the motivation or energy to workout regularly after having my baby. My body felt unfamiliar, tired, weak, and depleted, and something that had always brought me so much joy felt not only daunting, it felt impossible. 

So I changed my approach – I figured that if I was struggling to find my way back to movement, maybe other moms were too. 

At nine months postpartum, I offered a small postpartum-focused exercise class where babies were welcome. We did exercises together, but we also openly discussed the complexity of motherhood, the changes our bodies & pelvic floors went through during pregnancy & birth, and what we could do to support our healing. It was really beautiful, and it really showed me that returning to exercise postpartum is about a whole lot more than just exercise – being in community with other moms allowed us to heal together, on a multitude of levels. 

Five moms showed up to that first class, and something really special sparked. What started as a small gathering has grown into a rich community. 

Why is it important for moms to have a dedicated fitness space? 

This is such an important question, and there are so many layers to unpack here. 

First, we all know that the changes we go through when we become mothers are profound, and while our bodies are not fragile, there’s a better path forward than simply jumping back into what we were doing pre-motherhood and just hoping for the best. 

By tailoring classes specifically to moms, we can recover smarter by approaching workouts with awareness and knowledge of pelvic floor and core health, birth injuries, and the physical and physiological changes of pregnancy and postpartum at the forefront (not an afterthought!). 

Beyond perinatal-specific coaching, being in a fitness space specifically for moms means that you’re face-to-face with other women and birthing people, which is absolutely priceless in the age of social media. 

Being in-person together means that we get real insight into what postpartum recovery looks like, making us all feel a little more normal when we don’t “bounce back” the way it looks like someone online may have appeared to do. Instead, we can destigmatize pelvic floor symptoms, ask each other questions, share resources, and learn from each other. 

When you’re in an Intuitive Training class, no one bats an eye if your baby is fussy, if you need to nurse mid-workout, if your toddler spills their snack, or if your kids are having a tough time sharing. There are always enough toys to go around, and you’re literally always next to another mom who knows what the hard days are like and may even be able to lend a hand or a hug when you need it. 

What can attendees expect from your classes? 

When someone comes to class, they’re invited to meet their body exactly where it is that day and to make the workout their own. We acknowledge that we all have different goals, injury histories, sleep(less) situations, and energy levels, which means you may be doing different exercises than the person next to you. And not only is that ok, it’s encouraged. 

Attendees can expect thoughtful coaching, with modifications and progressions offered for every exercise, babywearing-friendly movement options, and pelvic floor and core-focused coaching cues interwoven throughout the warmup and workout. 

While children and babies are not required to attend, many people bring their kiddos. This means that sometimes classes get noisy, and sometimes we have to shift plans mid-workout. We practice a lot of mental flexibility and creativity in our workouts, which makes us stronger and more resilient both in and out of class. 

If you could define your wellness philosophy in one phrase or quote, what would it be? 

“All movement counts. All bodies are good bodies. Let movement evolve with your life.” 

Those three ideas really capture my philosophy. I want people to know that “fitness” isn’t all or nothing. It’s about showing up for yourself in ways that are sustainable, compassionate, and realistic for the chapter you’re in. And hopefully experiencing a little joy while doing it! 

Why did you decide to partner with the Tucson J? 

The J has such a strong reputation in Tucson for welcoming everyone and being committed to supporting health throughout every stage of life, which feels completely in alignment with Intuitive Training. 

Early motherhood can be an incredibly vulnerable season. A lot of moms hesitate to even leave their homes because of anxieties surrounding their baby crying, a toddler meltdown, or feeling like they don’t belong. The J creates the opposite experience. It’s a place where families are already gathering and where people are accepted as they are. It’s exactly the type of environment I want our moms to walk into every week. 

The Tucson J is focused on building a community where everyone belongs. What does community mean to you? 

At this point in my life, community means being together, face-to-face, with people walking a similar path or navigating similar chapters. I believe community is co-created, and every person who shows up contributes to the energy, intention, and direction of the group (consciously and unconsciously). And that’s what makes a community rich: connecting through our similarities and being strengthened by the things that make us different. 

Community has always been at the heart of what I do. It enriches our lives in such an essential way, and I couldn’t be more excited for Intuitive Training to join and contribute to the incredible multigenerational community the J has built.