Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Morin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kimberly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up as a dancer – jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, just about everything except acro – my body never seemed to want to flip and fly, I did, but my body, not so much. I was absolutely madly in love with dance – the music, the heart, the soul, the sweat, I loved everything about it. It was definitely the best emotional outlet I could ever imagine. I danced competitively until I injured my knee at 14. I think I was just afraid of not being good anymore, and at that time, I would rather not do it at all than not be good (note the beginning of the lifelong process of learning to check my ego LOL). I took up swimming instead, which was great exercise, but it was not the same soul-fulfilling expression and release that dance had been for me.
Around the age of 16 I was diagnosed with depression, and I’ve been living with it ever since. I’m pretty lucky – for me, it’s fairly mild and it comes and goes. As I moved through my late teenage years and into adulthood, I did plenty of experimenting to try and find ways to feel better. But nothing ever quite did the trick, usually quite the opposite, just made me feel worse.
Fast forward to age 30, I found myself back in a “hole,” in a new marriage, weighing more than I ever had before. (FYI, I am 5/1″ and was barely keeping it under 200lbs.) Big props to my husband who has always told me how beautiful I am no matter what the scale said that morning. I could feel that I was getting sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I awoke one morning, around that time, and checked my e-mail to find a Groupon for a local barre studio in my inbox. I figured, it might not be exactly dance, but if there was some similar movement involved then it was at least worth a shot. So, I purchased the Groupon. Absolutely terrified, I signed up for my first barre class. The women were so lovely and encouraging, the class was challenging and the music was loud and motivating. It was an instant love affair! At first, there were definitely movements that I had to modify. Because of my weight, it felt like my boobs and my belly were always in the way, and if we were doing anything cardio, I had to take multiple breaks. But I kept going, and after a couple of years as a client and several pounds later, when the studio sent out an e-mail looking for new instructors, I responded. I can still remember my hands shaking trying to type that e-mail. Well, it turned out there was nothing to be nervous about, and I was certified as a Mind Body Barre Instructor.
I went on to teach at MBB for a couple of years, becoming an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor in the process, as well as obtaining certifications in POUND and Buti® Yoga. However, in the spring of 2016, my husband and I moved further away from the studios, and I added another location of my family business, making it too challenging to continue teaching at MBB. That’s when I had that the thought that if the studios were too far away to fit into my life, perhaps other people in the area were having the same problem. So, I decided to roll the dice and open one myself. Since I have always had a love of the water, and have learned the importance of grounding myself wherever I am, something I aim to help others do, Anchor Barre was born.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been about as smooth as sandpaper! LOL First, it was a matter of finding the right location. When I thought I had found it, I signed a lease and got rolling. As soon as the first class was underway, we all knew it had been a mistake. You see, I had chosen a space in a building that was mixed use, apartments as well as commercial, with an apartment immediately above the studio. We thought that the building had been designed to keep the noise from being an issue, but that turned out not to be the case. So, only 3 months into this brand new venture, I was forced to shut down in order to relocate the studio. I am extremely fortunate that a wonderful space turned out to be available just down the street, and beyond grateful to my incredible instructors and our amazing clients for sticking out the ordeal.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Anchor Barre Fitness & Wellness Studio – what should we know?
Anchor Barre is a boutique fitness and wellness studio offering a variety of empowering fitness classes and inspiring workshops. From signature Anchor Barre to Buti® Yoga, POUND® to Vinyasa Yoga and more, Anchor Barre welcomes clients of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and fitness levels, who are looking to feel more grounded, calm and connected through movement.
The mission at Anchor Barre is to provide our clients with a place to let go of all their “stuff” from the day and find a moment to themselves to connect, sweat and strengthen – physically, mentally and emotionally – ultimately becoming more, well…anchored.
Anchor Barre currently has 7 instructors in addition to a host of wellness professionals who provide personal training, nutritional coaching, meditation instruction and Reiki. We offer group classes as well as private lessons, small group sessions and parties.
We are all warm and welcoming and happy to have everyone as a part of the crew; whether they eat cake or kale (or both) – animal, vegetable or mineral (or all of the above)! Come as you are, be a kind human, and if you’re really sweating, shaking and burning, and an F-bomb slips out – we’re right there with ya!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Certainly, first and foremost, my desire to want to do something good in the world, to want to help people feel good. Starting from a place of passion and love makes all the difference. One of the few childlike qualities about me (I think most people will tell you even as a kid, I was 3 going on 30) is that I will always believe that when you are a good human, doing good things, the universe will support you. Call it naive, immature, or woo-woo, but I’m stickin’ with it.
Second, my perseverance has played a huge role. When the first space didn’t work out, it would have been easy to throw in the towel. But, for me, that simply was not an option. People had already grown to love the studio and the instructors, and I had grown to love what we built, truly the manifestation of a dream. I had to do everything in my power not to let them (or myself) down.
Third, is probably my willingness to take a risk and to trust my intuition. I chose to do this on a dream and a prayer. I did not then nor do I now have deep pockets, but I do have deep roots and a support system through my friends and family (both blood related and Anchor Barre) that I know will not let me fail.
Last, but definitely not least, my ability to be a total goober. It makes classes so much more fun when you can laugh at yourself and just stop worrying what you look like or what people think.
Pricing:
- New clients can always choose buy one class get one class free for $16 or an Unlimited Month for $99
- Classes can be purchased in packs of 5 classes for $75, 10 classes for $130 or 20 classes for $250
- Recurring, unlimited memberships are available for 3mos. $169/mo., 6mos. $149/mo., or 1yr. $129/mo.
- We currently have a summer special – 3 unlimited months of classes for one payment of $375 or 3 auto-pays of $130/mo.
Contact Info:
- Address: Anchor Barre Fitness & Wellness Studio
306 Winthrop Street
Taunton, MA 02780 - Website: http://www.anchorbarre.com
- Phone: 508-618-1310
- Email: kim@anchorbarre.com
- Instagram: @anchorbarre
- Facebook: @anchorbarre
Image Credit:
Melissa Washburn Photography
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