My primary fitness goal is to simply keep moving and feeling comfortable in my body. For me, comfortable means “athletic”; constantly challenging what I’m physically capable of. Plus, exercise energizes me, inspires my creativity, sparks my productivity and puts me in a much better mood. And it makes me a more confident and better version of myself. That alone is #goals

If I could gain one superpower via exercise, I’d wanna teleport like Nightcrawler. I mean, how badass would that be? But that’s more mental than physical, right? So I guess I’d “settle”for Wolverine’s strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, dexterity, and reaction time. Plus his keen senses and regenerative skills! 

Believe it or not, having super-hero aspirations is a major motivator behind my regular exercise routine. I mean, who doesn’t wanna feel ageless and invincible?

Physical fitness is important to me because I’ve witnessed the effects of a sedentary life. Physical decline seems to spiral into mental and emotional decline. And I’ve observed what it looks like when you let life happen instead of moving through it with purpose, a sense of adventure, and self-care. But, I’ve also seen what aging can look like if you continue to 1. move your body and 2. nurture your body. It adds quality years to your life. I want that!

I have students up to 80 years old; some of whom are doing advanced Pilates work! It’s no surprise that they also also have active lives.

I know I’m under the heavy influence of Joseph Pilates but I’ve gotta agree with his statement that “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness”. My fitness level is so deeply tied to my emotional state because, without my health and mobility, I couldn’t do the things that I love with “zest and pleasure” (also Joe’s words). I’m a mover by nature. A dancer. An aerialist. A performer. A Pilates practitioner. And, anyone that knows me, knows that I’ve still got super-hero aspirations. Call it mid-life crisis. I call it optimism.