When Karen’s youngest child left for college, she suddenly found herself with something she hadn’t had in years: time.
“I'd been in the mom role for so long,” she says. “When the kids went off to school, I realized I was an empty nester. I needed to do something other than just sit around and worry about them.”
Karen started small, joining a few dance fitness classes at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA. It wasn’t long before she was hooked on the energy and connection. What began as a way to fill quiet mornings became a new rhythm. “I loved everything about it, the music, the movement, the people. Everyone was so supportive.”
Discovering Strength
When a close friend, Jodi, encouraged her to try TRX and weight training, Karen was hesitant. “I told her, ’You'll never see me in the weight room.’ But Jodi explained the benefits of strength training, especially as we get older. So I gave it a try, and it completely changed my life.”
Her first TRX class was intimidating. The straps, the angles, and the balance challenges all felt new. But the more she showed up, the better she felt. Soon she was encouraging others the same way her friend had encouraged her. “TRX became my thing,” she says. “It made me feel strong, capable, and confident. I wanted other people to experience that too.”
Fitness quickly became part of Karen’s daily routine. The friendships she built at the Y turned into family. They held her accountable, cheered her on, and reminded her that showing up for herself was worth it.
Stepping to the Front
Encouraged by fellow instructors, Karen decided to take another leap by becoming certified to teach COMMIT Dance Fitness before she turned fifty. But her journey to the front of the room started years earlier in the very back row.
“I used to hide in the back,” she says with a laugh. “I just wanted to dance and have fun, but I didn't want anyone watching me.” Over time, her confidence grew. The instructors she admired became her friends, and soon they began encouraging her to take the next step. “I thought I was too old,” she says. “But they kept saying, 'You can do this.'”
When she taught her first class, the nerves quickly melted into joy.
She began as a substitute instructor, filling in for dance fitness classes and learning how to lead with energy and care. Each class taught her something new about connection and encouragement. Over time, members came to know her not just for her choreography but for her warmth, humor, and genuine support for everyone who walked through the door.
Leading with Heart
When the opportunity arose to lead her own TRX class, Karen took it and poured everything she had learned into creating a welcoming, empowering space. “I wanted to build the kind of class where no one feels intimidated,” she says. “TRX is so modifiable. You can make it as challenging or as gentle as you need. My goal is for people to walk out feeling proud of themselves.”
Over time, Karen found that her class became about much more than exercise. The people who worked out beside her became close friends who shared their lives beyond the gym. “We've celebrated birthdays, new babies, graduations, and weddings,” she says. “We're also there for each other through loss and hard days. It really feels like family.”
Her Saturday morning TRX class now fills up week after week, despite its early 8:15 am start time. The room hums with energy as regulars and new faces alike work through circuits together, offering encouragement and high fives between sets. For Karen, those moments capture what she loves most about the Y.
“I love it here,” she says. “This is my home away from home. We've laughed, cried, celebrated, and supported each other through everything. That is what keeps me coming back.”