From First Class to Ten Years Later: How Jess Found Strength and Community at Studio ME
When Jess first walked into Studio ME in 2015, she wasn't chasing a fitness goal or a dramatic transformation. She'd just moved to Minneapolis, didn't know many people, and was honestly just looking for a place that felt welcoming — somewhere to stay active and start building a life in a new city.
"I was looking for a friendly place to work out in my neighborhood where I could meet some new people while staying active," she says.
Fitness had always been a big part of her life, but it was never really about the workout itself. Back in Milwaukee, her best memories around movement were social ones — biking with friends, barre classes, bar league sports. Being active was fun because she was doing it with people she liked.
"It always made fitness easier for me when I was having fun and enjoying the company of the people I was doing it with."
Moving to a new city felt like a natural reset. A chance to build new habits and find her people.
Jess’s first nordic ski race - the 29K Kortelopet at the 2022 American Birkebeiner
Finding Her Spot
Like a lot of people new to a city, Jess started by exploring. She signed up for ClassPass to sample different studios and figure out what clicked.
Studio ME caught her eye at first for pretty practical reasons — it was right on her bus route home from work and had a variety of classes that seemed up her alley. But what actually sold her had nothing to do with logistics.
She showed up to a Thanksgiving morning class — one of those Studio ME traditions that somehow makes you work harder than usual and have a great time doing it.
"You all really sold me when I showed up for my first Thanksgiving morning class, and we were all going our hardest before celebrating with a mimosa together."
She was hooked.
"The environment was so fun and all the coaches and members seemed genuinely so happy to be there. I could really feel the community vibe and I decided that day that I was done shopping for a gym. I found the spot!"
Getting Stronger — In and Out of the Gym
Nearly ten years later, Jess says she feels stronger and more confident in her fitness than ever. And that shows up well beyond the gym walls.
On nice days she's jogging around Northeast or exploring Minneapolis's lakes. She's hiked Minnesota State Parks with friends and family. She picked up Nordic skiing in 2020 and has raced the Sisu and Birkie almost every year since — something she genuinely never saw coming. She's also traded long-distance road rides for mountain biking, which feels like a good symbol of how much her confidence has grown.
Jess hiking near Asheville
A Decade of Showing Up
Being part of a community for over ten years means living through a lot together, and Jess has had plenty of seasons — good and hard — during her time at Studio ME.
In the early years, it helped her build a social life in a city where she didn't know anyone. When she went back to graduate school while juggling multiple part-time jobs, the flexible class times and pricing helped her stay consistent when it would've been easy to fall off. When COVID hit, she kept showing up — from her basement, on Zoom. When she broke her thumb, Coach Chelsea helped her work through recovery with modified workouts and encouragement through a rough stretch of winter.
And most recently, she made another change — switching into morning Boot Camps, which she's been loving.
"I started coming to morning Bootcamp and have been loving the camaraderie and the challenges."
Sharing a beer after a StudioME bike ride
What Keeps Her Coming Back
Now in her mid-thirties, Jess thinks a lot about why fitness matters — not just now, but long-term. She's watched friends step away from their health as life gets busier, and she's seen firsthand how strength and mobility shape quality of life as people age.
"It's really important to me to be able to have full mobility and activity because fitness has become such a critical component of my wellbeing, especially my mental health."
When asked what she loves most about Studio ME, her answer is pretty simple: it's just fun.
"I love that Studio ME is fun and focused on long-term wellness and strength." She appreciates that coaches push you while still prioritizing longevity over burnout. And for her, a lot of the magic is in the small stuff — the goofy themed workouts, the holiday classes, the colorful art on the walls instead of mirrors, the group outings.
But really, it comes back to the people.
"It's really motivating to know that there is a group of people who know your name and your goals and that you'll be missed if you skip a class."
Jess with her 10 year Studio ME Anniversary shirt
Her Advice
Her advice for anyone thinking about joining? "Come join the crew! It's a really friendly environment to be in while you focus on your goals and overall wellness. There's something here for you, whether you're looking to make a big change or just get into a regular routine."
Congrats, Jess — our March Member of the Month. Thanks for being such a huge part of this community, and for showing what ten years of consistency, connection, and fun can really look like.