Before her | After her - Jenny

Before her | After her — Sharing the stories of amazing her Elevated clients and their personal words of how attending her Elevated has “elevated’ their lives…

Jenny is here sharing her story with us!

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In November, I turned 50. 🤍

As a little girl, I never imagined this milestone would be attainable. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it this far…it just didn’t seem like part of my future. Weird, right? And when I did think about it, I assumed 50 meant being an “old lady” with a full head of white hair, unable to do much for herself. But life has a way of surprising you. Thankfully, I’ve been provided with role models who’ve shown me that with patience, perseverance, awareness and determination, anything is possible.

In my 50 years, I’ve done far more than I ever thought I could - more than anyone thought I could. If you know me well, you know…no one, myself included, expected little Jenny to grow into the woman she is today: the strongest, most elevated version of herself…so far. 

🌀Before her Elevated…
When I first moved to Sacramento, I was looking for… well, everything. I felt like I was in a strange transition and a bit lost - still commuting between the Bay Area and Central Valley, drowning in a rough work-life balance. My overall health and weight weren’t great at all, and I was coping in ways I knew weren’t good for me (or anyone else). I’d become deeply uncomfortable in my own skin and unhappy with who I was seeing in the mirror every day.

For years, I’d cycled through countless health programs, trying to stick with mindful eating and movement. None of it ever stuck. My attempts at exercise included sporadic programs in my garage, light walks, and wasting money on gyms I didn’t like and rarely visited. Nothing felt consistent, fun, or like it was truly working.

Then, in the spring of 2022, I stumbled across her Elevated on Instagram. For months (yes, I’m a slow starter), I watched Katie and the community from afar. I perused the photos, the reels, and learned about how it all started. One day, I finally got the courage to send her a message. For context, this was probably my first-ever Instagram communication with a total stranger - I’m a late bloomer like that!

As a naturally curious human, I had a lot of questions! Supporting women-owned businesses is important to me, and so is inclusivity. Finding a place that was comfortable and not judgmental was important to me. Katie was all these things, as well as, incredibly inspiring and patient, encouraging me to take my time. She told me her Elevated would be there whenever I was ready.
And then, in December 2022 - while going through radiation treatment for breast cancer, I finally took the leap. I walked in, nervous but hopeful, and before I even stepped inside, I felt welcomed.  

🌀A space that just felt right…

I’d tried group fitness classes before as part of my many failed gym memberships. But her Elevated was different. From the moment I walked in, I felt comfortable in my skin - welcomed, encouraged, surrounded by beautiful plant friends, and kindly nudged to move my body in ways I’d never really wanted to try before. Plus, it was just really fun!

Life, of course, continued to happen, and my consistency ebbed and flowed. But Katie and the community at her Elevated never gave up on me. They called me back, encouraged me, and became my family. Now, she’s love, support, and strength. She makes movement fun. It all just feels right.

For the first time, I found both a place of comfort to push myself and a sense of community in an exercise space. The group of badass women I’ve met here have become a part of my life and I’m grateful to call them friends - can’t wait to grow together even more!

🌀After Her Elevated…

Much of my transformation has been about more than physical strength - it’s about confidence, courage, and learning to accept all of myself fully. Shortly after joining her Elevated, I found the strength & courage to pursue yoga teacher training. And as my body, mind & spirit grew more balanced & stronger, I took on something I’d never imagined…stand-up paddleboard yoga teacher training.
That experience was a turning point. It wasn’t just about learning yoga - it was about learning rescue techniques, lots of swimming & treading water, flipping giant paddle boards over, pulling people out of the water, getting them on their boards and swimming them to safety. Before her Elevated, I would not have had the physical strength - or the balance of heart & mind - to even paddle board in that way, much less teach yoga on one and handle rescue scenarios.  
But her Elevated gave me something I didn’t know I was missing: confidence, persistence, and the knowledge that I am physically (and mentally) capable of so much more than I thought!

🌀The strength I’ve found…

At 50, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. Physically, I can do things confidently and surprise myself all the time! When I doubt myself, my community is there. Mentally, I am able to embrace movement as a way to curb my stress, and can push myself in new ways. Emotionally, I feel full with a community I wasn’t expecting to find. I’m continuing to learn about myself and my body – to love all of me - and am building more trust in myself with all that comes with 50 & fabulous Jenny :). 

But most importantly, I’ve found joy in movement and a community I never knew was possible. her Elevated has given me so much more than fitness - it’s given me a home here in Sacramento, a group of supportive women, and a version of myself I’m proud to celebrate.

We are her Elevated.