The Heart Behind The Shed

I’ve always believed movement is about so much more than exercise. It’s about feeling strong enough to do the things we love, being present for the people who matter most, and taking care of the one body we’ve been given.

But I’ve also learned that life doesn’t always make taking care of ourselves easy.

Sometimes we’re juggling careers and raising families. Sometimes our bodies don’t move quite like they used to. Sometimes we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or simply trying to get through the day.

And sometimes life throws us a curveball we never could have imagined.

I believe there should be a place for movement in all of those moments.

That’s why I created The Shed Studio Collective.

How It All Began

Movement has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

From competitive swimming as a child to running, triathlons, and gym classes as an adult, I’ve always loved being active. But as life changed, so did my body and what I needed from movement.

Arthritis in my knees made running increasingly difficult. Motherhood brought a whole new kind of busy, along with a greater need for those precious moments of self-care. And after years of trying different workouts, I found myself searching for something that made me feel strong, capable, and genuinely excited to move again.

Then my sister introduced me to reformer Pilates.

One class was all it took.

I loved that I could build strength, improve flexibility, and challenge myself without the discomfort I’d experienced with other forms of exercise. Even better, Pilates was something I could see myself doing for years to come.

It wasn’t about pushing harder or doing more.

It was about finding movement I could keep coming back to.

A few years later, after moving to Williams Bay, Wisconsin, I found myself struggling to access Pilates classes that fit my schedule. Rather than give up something I loved, I purchased my own reformer and pursued my Pilates certification.

Around that same time, I was feeling burned out after nearly 18 years working in the corporate tech world. I wanted more time with my husband and son, more purpose in my days, and an opportunity to share something that had made such a difference in my own life.

So I took a leap of faith.

And The Shed Studio was born.

A Little Studio With a Bigger Purpose

I opened my small reformer Pilates studio in my hometown of Williams Bay with one simple belief:

Movement should be for every body, every stage, and every goal.

What I discovered was that so many people were looking for the same thing.

People who wanted to get stronger but didn’t enjoy the gym. People navigating injuries or changes in their bodies. Busy moms trying to carve out time for themselves. People who wanted to move but didn’t know where to begin.

And people who simply wanted somewhere they could show up exactly as they were, without judgment.

The Shed became more than a place to exercise.

It became a place to connect, build confidence, celebrate progress, and feel cared for.

I began to wonder how I could bring that same feeling to people who couldn’t physically walk through my studio doors.

That’s when the idea for The Shed Studio Collective began to take shape.

I wanted to create an online boutique Pilates experience that felt personal and welcoming. A place where you wouldn’t have to scroll through endless workouts, follow an unrealistic schedule, or feel guilty when life interrupted your plans.

A place where movement could meet you exactly where you were.

Bringing The Shed Experience Home to You

One of my favorite things about working one-on-one with clients at The Shed Studio is that no two sessions are ever exactly alike.

I begin every session with one simple question:

“How is your body feeling today?”

Some days we need a little extra stretching, mobility, or care for a specific part of the body. Other days, we’re feeling like rock stars, ready to kick some butt and embrace that Pilates shake.

And sometimes, just showing up is enough.

Every session is thoughtfully tailored to the person standing in front of me — how they’re feeling, what their body needs, and what they’re capable of that day.

I believe movement should meet you where you are, not where you think you should be.

When I began creating The Shed Studio Collective, I knew I wanted to bring that same personal experience into your home.

That’s why I built the Collective around the very question I ask my clients every day.

Rather than giving you another workout schedule to keep up with, I wanted to create a place where you could check in with yourself, choose how you’re feeling, and find movement that fits.

Whether life feels messy, you’re finding your rhythm, your body needs a little extra attention, or you’re ready for a challenge, there’s a practice for you.

While an online studio can’t replace every aspect of working together one-on-one, my hope is that you’ll feel that same sense of care, encouragement, and connection each time you show up.

Because you deserve movement that feels like it was made for you.

And that’s exactly what I hope you’ll find here.

Then Life Threw Me a Curveball

While I was creating The Shed Studio Collective, I was diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Suddenly, everything changed.

The person who loved movement, taught Pilates, and believed so strongly in taking care of her body was now navigating chemotherapy, exhaustion, hair loss, and days when simply getting through life felt like enough.

There were times when I didn’t have the energy for much. Times when I didn’t feel like myself. And times when being in a crowded gym was the very last thing I wanted.

But one thing remained incredibly important to me:

Movement.

Not because I was trying to achieve a fitness goal or maintain a certain appearance.

But because moving, even for a few minutes, helped me reconnect with myself.

Some days that meant a short, gentle practice. Other days I felt strong enough to do more. And some days, a little stretching or walking was exactly what I needed.

There was no perfect schedule. No expectation that every day should look the same.

Just the opportunity to show up for myself in whatever way I could.

And I almost always felt better for having done it.

Throughout treatment, movement became one of the ways I cared for both my body and mind. It gave me a sense of strength, normalcy, and purpose during a time when so much felt beyond my control.

I’m incredibly grateful to have reached remission before launching the Collective, and that experience changed the meaning of this project for me.

I wasn’t just creating something I thought people needed anymore. I was creating something I knew firsthand could make a difference in someone’s life.

Why The Collective Is Different

Here’s what I’ve learned through all the different seasons of my life:

Consistency isn’t about doing the same amount every day. It’s about finding a way to keep coming back.

Some days you have 30 minutes and energy to spare.

Other days you have five minutes before your child wakes up, a body that needs extra care, or a mind that’s simply exhausted.

And sometimes life brings something much bigger — an injury, an illness, a loss, or a season that looks nothing like the one you planned.

I don’t believe you should have to start over every time life happens.

That’s why The Shed Studio Collective offers four ways to meet yourself where you are:

There’s no falling behind. No catching up. No starting over on Monday.

There’s simply movement for the day you’re having.

And the freedom to show up again tomorrow.

It’s About So Much More Than Pilates

My husband and son are two of my biggest reasons for wanting to stay strong and healthy.

I want to have the energy to travel, explore new places, enjoy time on the water, cook in my kitchen, and make memories with the people I love.

I want to keep doing those things for as many years as I’m blessed to have.

And I want that for you, too.

Because ultimately, we’re not moving just to become better at Pilates.

We’re moving so we can be present for the moments that matter.

To play with our children or grandchildren. To travel. To garden. To walk with a friend. To get up off the floor with confidence. To continue doing the things that bring us joy.

To feel capable in our bodies and live the lives we’re called to live.

That’s the bigger purpose behind The Shed Studio Collective.

Come As You Are. There’s a Place for You Here.

Maybe you’ve tried fitness programs before and couldn’t stick with them.

Maybe you’re tired of starting over.

Maybe your body is changing, your schedule is unpredictable, or you’re navigating something difficult that no one else can see.

Maybe you simply want to feel stronger, healthier, and more like yourself again.

Whatever brought you here, I want you to know something:

You don’t have to be in a different season of life to begin taking care of yourself.

You don’t have to have more energy, more time, or a perfect plan.

You can start right where you are.

My hope is that The Shed Studio Collective becomes a familiar place you can return to. A little corner of your day where you’re encouraged, supported, and reminded that every bit of movement matters.

Not another thing to keep up with.

A place to keep coming back to.

Because you deserve to feel strong, capable, and cared for through every season of life.

And because taking care of yourself helps you show up for everything and everyone that matters most.

I’m so glad you’re here. Come on in.

Practice is progress. Consistency is your superpower.

Join the Collective →