This episode includes discussions of body image, divorce, and major life transitions.

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Brandy, a downtown Toronto professional who once believed she wasn’t a “fit person.” After years of IVF treatments, medications that caused weight gain, and a painful divorce, Brandy felt like her spark was gone.

What started as one free class turned into a full lifestyle transformation.

In this episode, Brandy shares:
– How she went from working out once a week to 3–4x per week
– The mindset shift that came during SHINE’s 6-Week Challenge
– The confidence boost of her first sports-bra workout
– How SHINE’s women-supporting-women community helped her rebuild self-worth
– The celebration class that marked her new beginning

“You’re not here to take up less space. Take up more.”

If you’ve ever felt like it’s “not the right time” to start or worried you don’t belong in a fitness space, Brandy’s story will inspire you to put yourself first and reclaim your spark.

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with our Content and Marking Manager, Emma C, who moved to Toronto just over a year ago. With no friends in the city and no clear routine, they were searching for both consistency and community.

Before SHINE, Emma’s relationship with fitness was inconsistent. They loved biking and swimming but never saw themself as “athletic.”

What started as “I’ll just try one intro offer” turned into a 13-month journey of strength, confidence, and friendship.

In this episode, Emma shares:– Why exercise always felt like a chore growing up– How biking a marathon during COVID changed her mindset– The story of almost canceling their first class (and why they showed up anyway)– Their progress from struggling with burpees to jumping every rep– Why SHINE became one of the main reasons they chose to stay in Toronto

This is a story about showing up, finding your people, and proving to yourself what’s possible when you stay consistent. If you’ve ever felt like fitness “wasn’t for you” or are worried about starting over in a new city, Emma’s journey is a must-listen.

This episode includes discussions of body image, disordered eating, and chronic health issues.

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Michelle, a veterinary assistant originally from Ireland, who shares her powerful transformation story—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Before SHINE, Michelle struggled with consistency. She tried spin, Muay Thai, early morning gym sessions, and even crash diets—none of it stuck. After being diagnosed with gallstones and fatty liver disease and undergoing surgery, she knew she needed a lasting change.

What started as one free class turned into a full lifestyle transformation.

In this episode, Michelle shares:– Why traditional workouts never worked for her– How she healed her relationship with food and movement– The moment she realized her body deserved fuel, not punishment– How SHINE helped her lower her cholesterol, inflammation, and liver markers– Why she now works out 4x/week—because she wants to

This is one of the most honest and inspiring episodes we’ve ever recorded. If you’ve ever felt like nothing works, like you’re too far gone, or like it’s “just not for you”—Michelle’s story is a must-listen.

You can connect with Michelle on Instagram @michelleoconnor23

SHINE Stories: Chantel’s Journey from Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Self-Doubt to Empowerment and Instructor in Training

Content warning: This episode contains open discussion of body image, mental health, and disordered eating.

In this episode of SHINE Stories, Jess sits down with Chantel (she/her), a SHINE FIT member and registered nurse whose journey over the past year has been nothing short of transformational.

Chantel opens up about the toxic fitness habits and food restrictions that shaped her early adulthood — from fearing the treadmill to measuring her self-worth by how long she could last on it. Paralyzed by perfectionism and gym anxiety, she never thought she could feel confident in her body, let alone enjoy movement.

Then she found SHINE through a TikTok, took a chance on a giveaway, and booked her first class. That one decision changed everything.

Today, she’s not only thriving in her own fitness journey — she’s also training to become a SHINE FIT instructor.

Highlights of this episode:
💙 How movement and therapy helped her heal her anxiety
💙 Letting go of food rules and learning to love pizza again
💙 From being terrified to enter a class… to leading one
💙 The massive life shifts she made after joining SHINE: new apartment, new job, new degree
💙 What she’d tell her younger self (and anyone who doesn’t think they belong in a fitness studio)

Connect with Chantel on Instagram: @chantel.cody
Listen in and get ready to be inspired by her honesty, resilience, and the joy she brings to every room she walks into.

SHINE Stories: Emma K’s Journey to Finding Strength, Community, and Herself

Content warning: This episode contains open discussion of body image, mental health, and disordered eating.

In this episode of SHINE Stories, Jess sits down with Emma K (she/her), a SHINE FIT member who shares her incredible transformation — from using the stairmaster as punishment to commuting hours by GO Train just to attend a 45-minute SHINE class that made her feel alive again.

Emma opens up about her past struggles with mental health, her history with food and exercise, and how she spent years stuck in a cycle of guilt, avoidance, and pretending she was “fine.” It wasn’t until a birthday class hosted by her best friend (and SHINE coach!) Naomi that Emma discovered something different — joyful movement, a supportive community, and the first real spark of motivation she’d felt in years.

From that one class, everything changed. Within two months, Emma moved to Toronto, joined the SHINE Energy Exchange team, and found a fitness routine she could actually stick to. A year later, SHINE is no longer just a workout — it’s her anchor, her happy place, and the reason she finally feels at home in her body and in her life.

Highlights of this episode:
💙 Rebuilding a relationship with fitness after injury and burnout
💙 Why Emma commuted over 2 hours to attend SHINE classes
💙 Moving to a new city and finding community through movement
💙 The surprising moment that made her realize: “This is the best thing I’ve done for myself”
💙 What she’d tell her younger self now — and what’s next in her story

Connect with Emma on Instagram: @ekalverda

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast.
Please note this episode discusses topics including eating disorders, body image, and mental health.

This week, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Julie-Anne (she/her) to talk about her inspiring journey from competitive figure skating and disordered eating — to finding true strength, joy, and community through movement.

For years, Julie-Anne struggled with an all-or-nothing relationship with exercise. She went from rigid, structured training to avoiding movement completely in recovery from a clinical eating disorder. Trying to reintroduce fitness felt impossible — until she found SHINE FIT.

In this conversation, Julie-Anne shares what it was like searching for a space that wasn’t steeped in toxic diet culture. She opens up about rebuilding her relationship with food, movement, and her own body — and how SHINE became the first studio where she felt seen, supported, and celebrated.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
– What it’s like to recover from an eating disorder while reintroducing movement
– The struggle of finding an inclusive, non-toxic fitness space in Toronto
– How SHINE helped her go from hiding in the back to leading with confidence
– The mindset shift from punishment to fueling for joy and strength
– Her advice for anyone navigating recovery, self-doubt, or starting over

You can connect with Julie-Anne on Slack or @callherjam on Instagram!

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast.

Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as depression, loneliness, and mental health.

In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Lexi (she/her), who shares her deeply honest story of navigating depression, moving to a new city alone, and finding connection through movement.

When Lexi moved to Toronto for grad school, she didn’t know anyone. Her program was fully online. Her depression made even leaving the apartment feel impossible. But after one Instagram ad led her to SHINE FIT, everything began to change.

She didn’t come looking for a gym.She came looking for something to help her feel like herself again.

In this conversation, Lexi opens up about the emotional lows, the tiny victories, and the community that helped pull her out of isolation. From crying at the studio to being embraced by fellow members, this story is a beautiful reminder of how powerful it is to simply show up.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
– What it’s like starting over in a new city without a support system
– How SHINE helped Lexi move from all-or-nothing thinking to consistency
– The role of community in supporting mental health
– Why showing up — even when you don’t work out — still counts
– Lexi’s advice for anyone struggling with motivation or depression

💙 This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt stuck, alone, or unsure how to begin again.

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as body image, loneliness, and mental health.In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Ina, who opens up about her journey of starting over in a new country—and how one class at SHINE changed everything.When Ina first moved to Canada, she felt isolated, unmotivated, and unsure of where she belonged. But after saying “yes” to a free trial class at SHINE FIT, she found more than a workout—she found joy, confidence, and a community that helped her rediscover herself.Ina shares how SHINE helped her shift from working out alone at a gym (where she never felt inspired) to moving with purpose, consistency, and connection. She talks about the power of community, the joy of music and movement, and the mindset shift that helped her feel seen and strong again.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:- What it felt like moving to a new country and starting from scratch- How a free class changed her entire relationship with fitness- The power of music, movement, and community in creating belonging- Letting go of pressure and embracing joy in workouts- Advice for anyone new to the city, starting over, or feeling stuck💙 This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt like you were on your own.

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please note this episode contains discussions of body image, PCOS, medical weight loss surgery, and self-esteem.

In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Raven to talk about her extraordinary 2-year journey—from avoiding movement entirely to reclaiming her confidence, health, and joy.

Before SHINE, Raven didn’t believe she belonged in fitness spaces. She had been dismissed by doctors for years, told to “just lose weight,” and internalized the shame around her body. But the moment she walked into SHINE, everything changed.

With the support of her coaches, her new friends, and a lot of self-love, Raven advocated for her health and received a long-overdue PCOS diagnosis, found the courage to undergo gastric bypass surgery, from a place of love, not shame, rebuilt her confidence one class at a time, and rediscovered the joyful, radiant version of herself she thought was long gone.

“It feels like I’m back to that little girl who used to love herself—and believed she could have more.”

Raven’s story is emotional, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be valid.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

💬 The emotional impact of being overlooked in fitness and healthcare

💬 Why SHINE felt different from the moment she walked in

💬 Her decision to pursue surgery—and how SHINE helped her get there

💬 Healing body image and reclaiming joy after years of shame💬 Overflowing self-love, post-op recovery, and what’s next for Raven

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the SHINE Stories Podcast. Please be advised that our show discusses topics such as body image, mental health, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating.

In this episode, Jess sits down with SHINE FIT member Val to share her incredible transformation — from avoiding movement and battling body dysmorphia to rediscovering joy, confidence, and connection through fitness.

Before SHINE, Val saw exercise as punishment. Struggling with self-worth and depression, she believed workouts were something she had to do to change her body, not something she could ever enjoy. That mindset left her disconnected from movement — and from herself.

Everything changed when she took a chance on SHINE FIT. Through mindset coaching, accountability, and community, Val shifted her relationship with fitness from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.” She went from skipping classes to training 4–5 times a week, creating friendships, and even getting a SHINE-inspired tattoo as a symbol of how far she’s come.

Val opens up about overcoming body dysmorphia, learning to take up space, and how SHINE gave her back a part of herself she thought was lost forever. If you’ve ever felt like working out wasn’t for you or struggled with negative self-image, this episode will remind you: you are worthy of movement, joy, and community—right now.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

💙 Why Val used to skip workouts — and how she broke the cycle
💙 How mindset coaching and accountability calls rewired her relationship with fitness
💙 The powerful moment she finally felt worthy of taking the bow after class
💙 How SHINE FIT became her third space and gave her deep friendships
💙 Why she got a tattoo to carry her SHINE journey with her as she moves overseas

You can connect with Val on Instagram @val_hernandez30 !