From Dreading Workouts to Competing in Powerlifting: How Jane Found Fitness That Actually Fit

Jane knew she needed to work out. With a family history of chronic illness and cancer, staying active wasn't about looking a certain way—it was about staying healthy for the long haul.

So throughout her twenties, she did what she thought she was “supposed to do.” She signed up for group fitness classes. Hot yoga. Cycling. HIIT. She showed up, she pushed through, but she didn't enjoy any of it.

"I thought that is how you worked out," Jane says.

As she entered her thirties, she knew something had to change. If fitness was going to be part of her life long-term, she needed to find a version she actually enjoyed.

But life had other plans.

A job with constant domestic travel. Pursuing a master's degree. Moving cross-country twice. A demanding work schedule that left little time or energy for anything else. Eventually, working out fell to the bottom of the list—not because she didn't care, but because nothing she'd tried felt sustainable.

When Jane moved back to Minneapolis in 2023, she hit what she calls a "life reset button."

And this time, she knew she needed help.

Jane celebrating a PR at Studio ME

Finding Studio ME

Jane's biggest barrier wasn't motivation—it was knowing what to do and how to do it. She “wanted to work out and enjoy fitness” and "I knew that I wasn't going to be successful in this goal if I just went to a normal gym and tried working out," she says. "I wanted help and guidance."

So she turned to Google, searching for structured group fitness or semi-private training. That's when she found Studio ME.

After reading through the website, the philosophy resonated with her immediately. She decided to reach out.

When Jane started her first semi-private sessions with Coach Billy, her goal was simple: just show up and don't skip sessions.

That's it.

"Luckily I had Coach Billy on my side," she says. "I found it super easy to get to the gym, and I started enjoying the workouts and the challenges."

For the first time in years, fitness didn't feel like something she had to force.

The Moment Everything Clicked

A few months into training at Studio ME, Jane started working with the barbell.

Squats. Deadlifts. Bench press.

"I felt like I finally found something I really enjoyed doing," she says.

With encouragement from Coach Billy and Coach Luke, Jane signed up for Mighty ME—Studio ME's powerlifting competition. That's when she discovered that powerlifting was the fitness thing she'd been looking for the whole time.

A sport she'd never even heard of before became the thing that changed everything.

"With all the support of Studio ME, I've been able to learn about the sport of powerlifting," Jane says. "I even recently competed in a USA Powerlifting competition."

Before starting at Studio ME, Jane had never imagined she'd be competing or calling herself an athlete.

"Studio ME helped me find a new version of myself," she says.

Jane competing in the 2025 Battle of the Frozen Tundra Powerlifting Competition

What's Next

Now, Jane is excited to keep working toward her powerlifting goals, getting stronger, and competing in more competitions in 2026. She's already looking forward to Mighty ME Powerlifting Competition 2026 and everything that's ahead.

The version of Jane who used to force herself through workouts she hated feels like a different person. Because now, fitness isn't something she has to push through—it's something she genuinely loves.

When we asked what she's liked best about Studio ME, her answer was this:

"The support and the environment. All of the coaches, staff, and other clients are incredibly welcoming and fun to be with. Going to Studio ME never feels like a chore—even in the dead of winter."

For anyone looking to start or restart their fitness journey, Jane's advice is simple:

"I can't recommend Studio ME enough."

Congrats, Jane—our January Member of the Month. We're so proud to celebrate your strength, your journey, and the athlete you've become.