The Citizen Way: Rae | 600 Classes Later
“I was 29 years old. I had just gotten married the year before and moved from Louisiana only a few months before joining Citizen. It was such an exciting and scary time. Going to a new city for the first time in my life, I was basically starting a completely new and different life. Citizen was there from the very beginning.”
New city. New marriage. New life.
And somewhere in the middle of all of that, she found her place.
Stronger in Every Way
“I am a completely different person than I was in 2018. I am completely and unapologetically self assured. I am so much stronger emotionally, mentally and, of course, physically than I used to ever be.”
Rae didn’t come in chasing perfection.
She came in searching for confidence.
“I grew up playing most sports and dancing for many years. I was never very good at any of it. That always took a toll on me. I wanted to be good at something.”
And she stayed long enough to become exactly that.
“Citizen has given me that physical confidence that I could be good at something really hard.”
But the transformation didn’t stop there.
“Pilates has also helped me ignore the number on the scale. My body is the strongest it’s ever been while also being the heaviest it’s ever been. And I love it!”
That’s the shift.
Not smaller. Not lighter. Stronger.
And proud of it.
“I never stopped showing up through two pregnancies and I came back as soon as I possibly could after two brutal C sections. I give Pilates the credit for helping me recover so quickly!”
Consistency Over Everything
“Pilates is part of my routine and I see it as a non negotiable.”
No drama. No negotiation.
Just a decision made over and over again.
“I grew up watching my mom move her body every single day while working full time and driving me an hour each way to and from school. She always found the time. It made such an impression on me. I want my kids to see me move and be strong every single day.”
This is how it gets passed down.
Not through words. Through example.
Rae also carries something else with her into every class.
“I struggle with 25+ years of lower back problems after two bad car accidents when I was younger. If I don’t stay on top of my strength and take care of my body, I will likely be in constant pain.”
For her, this isn’t optional.
“I love how Pilates is challenging while also being low impact.”
It’s not just a workout.
It’s how she stays out of pain.
It’s how she stays strong for her life.
Don’t Ever Quit
If Rae could go back and talk to the version of herself walking into her very first class, she wouldn’t overcomplicate it.
“Don’t ever quit. You will need this more than you know.”
Because what she didn’t know then was everything that was coming.
“You will hold back tears in Kyra’s class while waiting on a text that your mom’s cancer screening was clean this time.”
“You will put your leggings on over bruises while going through infertility and IVF.”
“You will take Citizen with you virtually to keep you sane during the dark times of Covid.”
“You will show up at 6 am, the morning after the election, accidentally fall into your machine and cry with Sara.”
“You will meet and say goodbye to some of the coolest, sweetest people as they move away, pursue different things, start families.”
Life doesn’t slow down.
But she didn’t stop showing up.
“But Citizen will remain here for you through all the good and bad times. One of my few constants.”
600 Classes Isn’t an Accident
It’s not luck.
It’s not motivation.
It’s a decision.
Made on the good days.
Made on the hard days.
Made when no one is watching.
Rae didn’t need a dramatic transformation to be worth celebrating.
She showed up.
And then she kept showing up.
Six hundred times.
Ready When You Are
Rae’s story isn’t about a quick transformation.
It’s about what happens when you stay.
When you build strength over time.
When you show up, even when life gets heavy.
When you decide this part of your life matters.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start, this is it.
Start where Rae did. One class.
