05/05/2026
“Before Burn, I had always been active in some way, mostly relying on running because it was the only thing that really made me sweat. That worked—until it didn’t. At 38, I found myself in a new city as a wife and a mom to a newborn and an 8-year-old after moving from Massachusetts for work. We didn’t have family or friends nearby, and I was struggling with my weight after my second baby. It wasn’t coming off easily, and that led to a lot of self-doubt. I tried diet after diet and just felt more defeated. I remember crying in dressing rooms, having to buy bigger and bigger clothes. From the moment I found Burn, it spoke to my competitive nature, and even five years later, it still challenges me and makes me stronger both physically and mentally.
Getting started was hard. My biggest obstacle was self-doubt. I walked in thinking there was no way I could do it. Over time, that mindset shifted. Now I look at every exercise as an opportunity to push myself and even find ways to level up. While I’m very outgoing in my work life, I tend to be more reserved around people I don’t know, so building connections took time. But now, I have an incredible group of friends from Burn Newnan who feel like family. I truly can’t imagine my life without them or Burn.
I’ve seen so many changes in myself, both physically and mentally. I’ve built a strong community, and I’ve learned to prioritize my time at Burn because I know I can’t be my best self without it. As a working mom, those 45 minutes are everything—they’re my time to leave stress, worry, and everything else on the floor. It’s something I won’t sacrifice. I’ve gone from attending three noon camps a week to consistently showing up six times a week. I even get up earlier now to add in walks, stay after for extra reps, go heavier, or even do burpees for fun. If I can get up for 5:30 a.m. camp five days a week, I truly feel like I can do anything.
The results I’ve seen have been life-changing. I’ve lost over 70 pounds, inches all over, and I’m mentally stronger than I ever thought possible. But more than anything, I’m proud of my strength progress. I used to be afraid of strength days—now they’re my favorite. I love challenging myself, finding the heaviest weights in the room, and pushing to see what I’m capable of. Sometimes I’m chasing someone else’s strength, and sometimes I’m the one setting the pace. I thrive on that challenge. Programs like the January challenge really put into perspective how far I’ve come. My relationship with food is still a work in progress after years of dieting, but I’ve made big strides by focusing on hitting my protein goals and understanding what my body needs.
If I could tell someone new one thing, it would be to keep showing up. It’s hard in the beginning—there’s no way around that—but it’s the kind of hard that changes you in the best way. It can feel intimidating at first, but every single person in that room wants to see you succeed. Before you know it, you start recognizing faces, building connections, and finding motivation all around you. I also can’t recommend focus meetings enough. The trainers truly get to know you—both in your workouts and your nutrition—and help you find what works best for you in a sustainable way.
My favorite part of this journey has been the strength I’ve built and the community I’ve found. I went from being scared of weights to confidently chest pressing 50 pounds, and now I’m always thinking about what I can lift next. Living without family nearby has been incredibly hard, but Burn Newnan has filled that space in ways I never expected. They’ve embraced not just me, but my entire family. My kids have spent so much time in kid watch and love being there. During one of the hardest seasons of my life, when my husband was battling cancer, the Burn community showed up for us in ways I’ll never forget—checking in, offering help, and making sure we were okay. The friendships I’ve built here, especially with other women on similar journeys, have become some of the most meaningful relationships in my life.”
