Anyone looking to get started with a fitness routine knows that its notquiteas easy as it sounds.

Theyre stroke survivors, poets, foster cat rescuers, activists, and flat-out inspirers.

I wanted to see more barre teachers like me.

Everyday Athletes collage

Katie Thompson

Its a way of training that supports clients for the long haul.

It was magical and inspiring to witness and be around, he says.

Its about taking thatsecondstep, Ryan says.

Lauren doing barbell split squat

Katie Thompson

You cant fully assess a fitness facility or coach or experience without having data.

The same benefits hold true for people in a lower age bracket as well.

Zach Bergfelt first fell in love with fitness as a dance major in college.

kettlebell front squat

Katie Thompson

The best way to foster it?

If you hate running, dont run, he says.

But after becoming an orthopedic physical therapist, she realized that it didnt have to be that way.

Amber doing a sumo squat

Katie Thompson

Heart Gardener got his start in yoga from an early agebefore he was even born, you may say.

My mom did yoga when she was pregnant with me, he tells SELF.

But it wasnt until his early 20s when he started to take the practice more seriously.

Zach doing side plank rotation

Katie Thompson

I was looking for healing.

Still, he acknowledges it was often difficult to find instructors who shared his identities.

Ive just been setting timers for 10 minutes, he says.

Winnie doing runner’s lunge

Katie Thompson

Then I just get on my yoga mat and move my body.

It doesnt have to look a certain way; I dont even need to stand up.

It feels good to move and kind of play around, sometimes I dance and get funky with it.

Heart doing kneeling triangle pose

Katie Thompson

Then she fell in love with weightlifting.

Form Fitness also emphasizes functional strengthas does Delgado-Lugo in her own workouts.

Fitness is life, she says.

Francine doing a triceps kickback

Katie Thompson

Whats more, it provides the me time a lot of folks are lacking.

Fitness shows me that I can trust myself, rely on myself, and love myself.

Ive been in an active body my entire life, she tells SELF.

Jessie doing dance workout

Katie Thompson

For Diaz-Herrerra, its also been a lifesaver.

In 2022, she experienced a major stroke that left the right side of her body paralyzed.

Movement, paired with pouring myself into PPW, became my path to recovery, she says.

Natalia doing side angle pose

Katie Thompson

It healed my body and mind, and it reminded me just how precious life truly is.

Its not about how you look in your body, but how youfeelin your body.

So much breeds from that idea implanting itself in the mind: I still can try, she says.

Photography: Katie Thompson.

Creative direction: Amber Venerable.

Wardrobe styling: Samantha Gasmer.

Hair: Charles McNair and Damian Monzillo.

Makeup: Monica Alvarez.

Production: Melissa Kramer.