Deanna

I've always had an interest in fitness, but it wasn't until 2019, when I learned that both of my sons have a form of muscular dystrophy called myotonic dystrophy, that I truly committed to it. This progressive and degenerative disease, inherited from me, served as a powerful motivator to pursue fitness not just for myself but also to build the strength necessary to care for my children.

Undoubtedly, my biggest challenge was during my pregnancy with my third child. Finding the energy to attend classes was tough, but the supportive community of women in the 5 a.m./5:30 a.m. classes motivated me to keep going. Despite the hurdles, I continued with appropriate modifications until I was 38 weeks pregnant. The focused core work was instrumental in navigating my third postpartum journey and recovering smoothly from my third c-section. I was back on the reformer in the advanced class as soon as my doctor cleared me six weeks later.

Always remember that you can modify any exercise. When I first started at the studio mdr, I was intimidated by the seemingly effortless moves performed by others in the class. I started by modifying on my knees, gradually building up the strength to perform all of the moves on my toes. Even now, as a "seasoned" pilates enthusiast, there are still mornings I modify, and that's perfectly okay. As long as you activate your core and focus on the tempo, you can have a great workout regardless of modifications.

As a mother of three, finding time for myself isn't always easy. However, by showing up for myself and committing to my routine at the studio mdr, nearly every weekday, I am able to show up more fully for my family.

My children are my primary motivation, without a doubt. I want them to understand that adversities don't define us but rather how we face them. It's not about ‘if’ we face adversity but about ‘how’ we face it. Maintaining the strength gained through my journey with the studio mdr is my way of demonstrating resilience to them.

I'm currently training for my next marathon, something I never thought I'd attempt after my first in 2021. Thanks to the strength training and cardio work at the studio mdr, I feel confident I can go the distance once again.

Initially, the idea of a 5:30 a.m. class seemed daunting, but over time, my mindset has shifted from "I have to go" to "I get to go."

The Studio (MDR) has been instrumental in my transformation on both physical and mental levels. I feel like a completely different person since I first started—stronger, more confident, and overall happier.