02/03/2025
We Know What Fascism Does—And We Will Never Stand for It
I have built my life and career on the belief that movement can transform people—not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and even socially. At Performance Fit Pilates, here in Nuremberg, Germany, we create a space where everyone is welcome, where every body is valued, and where truth, science, and inclusion are non-negotiable.
And because we are based in Nuremberg, we are acutely aware of what happens when fascism takes hold.
We are a city that still bears the scars of history. A city that has seen, firsthand, how authoritarianism, propaganda, and scapegoating lead to destruction, suffering, and shame. A city where people once said, “This could never happen here”—until it did.
This is why I refuse to stand by silently while we watch history attempt to repeat itself. The MAGA movement in the U.S. and the rise of the AfD in Germany are part of the same dangerous pattern—the normalization of extremism, the rejection of democracy, and the steady erosion of human rights.
Let me be absolutely clear: The values I hold, the work I do, and the community I build are fundamentally opposed to MAGA, to AfD, and to everything they represent.
Science Is Not Optional
I have dedicated my life to movement science—to understanding how the body functions, heals, and grows stronger. Science is the foundation of everything I do.
MAGA and AfD thrive on anti-science rhetoric. They deny climate change. They spread disinformation about vaccines and public health. They promote pseudoscience and conspiracy theories over actual research. This isn’t just ignorance—it’s willful, dangerous deception, and it costs lives.
I stand for truth. I stand for knowledge over fear. And I will never align with movements that deliberately reject facts in favor of propaganda.
Inclusion Is Non-Negotiable
My studio is built on the principle that every person deserves to feel safe and supported in their pursuit of movement. Whether you are young or old, fit or injured, neurodiverse or neurotypical, LGBTQ+, a person of color, or anyone who has ever felt excluded—we welcome you.
AfD and MAGA, however, are built on division, exclusion, and hate. They openly attack minorities, women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and anyone who doesn’t fit their narrow, nationalistic ideal. In Germany, the AfD pushes racist, xenophobic policies, glorifies N**i rhetoric, and seeks to erase the painful lessons of our past. In the U.S., MAGA does the same, encouraging white supremacy, voter suppression, and the stripping of reproductive rights.
We have seen where this road leads. We will not walk it again.
Truth Matters—Lies Destroy
As a teacher, my job is to empower people with knowledge. Understanding movement—just like understanding history—allows us to make better choices and move through the world with strength and awareness.
But MAGA and AfD do not want informed, empowered people. They thrive on disinformation, historical revisionism, and outright lies. They distort history, whitewash atrocities, and gaslight the public into thinking that they are the victims, while they actively dismantle democracy.
Rejecting the truth is a dangerous path, and I refuse to be silent about it.
Fascism Always Ends in Violence
One of the greatest lessons of history—especially right here in Nuremberg—is that fascism doesn’t stop at words.
The rise of extremism always leads to real-world violence. We have already seen it:
• Charlottesville, the Capitol insurrection, the rise in hate crimes in the U.S.—all fueled by MAGA rhetoric.
• The AfD’s ties to violent far-right groups, attacks on immigrants, and its plan to deport German citizens based on ethnicity.
This is not hypothetical. This is not “just politics.” This is a deliberate, organized, and deadly attempt to seize power through fear and oppression.
I will never be neutral in the face of this. I cannot be.
If This Offends You, Ask Yourself Why
Some will say, “I just voted Republican” or “I just want to protect Germany’s borders.” But when your vote supports a movement that thrives on dehumanization, control, and lies, you are choosing to stand on the wrong side of history.
I am not interested in debating whether bigotry, authoritarianism, or scientific denialism should be tolerated.
I am not interested in excusing ignorance when history has already given us the answers.
I am not interested in pretending that this is just another policy disagreement.
At Performance Fit Pilates, we stand for science, truth, inclusion, and human dignity. If that makes us “political,” then so be it. Some values are too important to compromise.
