How Barry's Bootcamp Changed My Perspective on Running

This morning, I hit 300 classes at Barry’s Bootcamp. I am so proud of myself and grateful for the gifts my journey at Barry’s has given me. If you do any sort of fitness class, you know how exciting the milestones are! Barry’s is a 50-minute HIIT style class that combines strength and cardio exercises. These classes take place in their studio called the Red Room, which consist of red mood lighting and loud music. Classes usually consists of 12–15-minute running and floor round, then a 6-8-minute round, but rounds vary based on instructor. The treadmill portion consists of sprints or endurance with a few walks in between. It’s fast paced, pushes your body, and never gets easier. Depending on the day of the week it’s either leg day, upper body day, or full body day. I have gotten an absolute dump truck from Barry’s which I am very grateful for too, of course!

Barry’s means a lot to me because it has helped me to challenge my narrative of feeling like I'm not athletic and “I can’t run.” It’s even more special that I found my love for running again through these classes. Barry’s has become a staple of my life, and I don’t know how I ever lived without it. And yes, most days it does feel like the hardest work out in the world.

Growing up, I always felt like a ‘bigger girl.’ I had rolls when I sat, I was embarrassed when girls would talk about their weight at the lunch table, and I struggled to fit in. When it came time to run the mile in gym class, Charty was always last. I hated running, but deep down I sort of loved it? Running made me feel strong, it made me feel connected to my dad and made me feel unstoppable. I wanted to find a sport that I could feel this, so I found my love for lacrosse. I did travel and local teams from ages 8-13 and loved it. Still, I felt inferior due to the girls who could sprint up and down a field, versus me trying to run 5 feet and being winded. Why was I bigger? Why couldn’t I run as fast? I was always on defense because I was slower. It sucked. I kept pushing through regardless of these thoughts and made the modified lacrosse team in 6th grade. I loved playing with all my friends and being a part of something. It made me feel worthy and like I was as strong as all the other girls.

When 7th grade came, I tried out again for our lacrosse team. Our coach said he wasn’t planning on cutting too many people, so I felt I’d be fine. I worked hard at try outs and practiced at home to make sure I was ready. When it came time for cuts, I was the first one called in his office. And this man said to me something like “Charlotte…when I was cut from the football team, it was sad, but it made me better and run faster.” Then he told me I wasn’t making the team. I knew it wasn’t because of my lack of lacrosse skills, but that I ‘couldn’t’ run. I couldn't be on his team if I was a slow runner. Leaving his office, hearing the girls ask if I made it, and crying my eyes out on the way to my parent’s car. What a heartbreaking moment for sweet 13-year-old me. One that would define who she was for so many years.

I never picked up a lacrosse stick again. A sport I loved, dropped because of what I was told. Despite this, I didn’t want this man to decide my self-worth or that I couldn’t run. I wanted to prove myself. In the years to follow, my mom and I joined a running group and did the couch potato to 5k training with wonderful women. I ran two 5ks, and I loved them so much. (Flo Rida on repeat for 3 miles) I joined the club at our high school to plan our 5k fundraising event, which was so rewarding. I ran the 5k’s we planned each year, and it was always so inspiring and fun.

Somewhere between the end of high school and college, I stopped running. I decided I wasn’t cut out for it after all. I made jokes at my own expense and made sure to cut myself down before someone else could do it. I continued to ride horses (my first and forever love) and found other ways to feel athletic. I was captain of the equestrian team and then ended up teaching spin in college. I loved teaching spin and riding; they gave me confidence and strength. Riding and spin felt like the only modalities that fit who I was. Until I moved to Boston.

I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge or opportunity to be strong, and I had heard about Barry’s after moving to Boston. In 2021, I finally decided to go try it for myself! Class was in a parking lot due to COVID restrictions, and immediately, I fell in love (with the class and the hot Chesnut Hill men). I brought all my friends and encouraged people who also don’t love to run try it. (Shoutout to my friends who visit me and get dragged to Barry's!) Something about the workout, the energy, and the different modality was amazing. I continued going to Barry’s weekly outside, but I’d only do double floor, or weights for the class. I never wanted to run because I was intimidated. I continued to take different instructors, became stronger, and eventually we were back inside the Red Room.

I hadn’t had a desire to try running during class as I still felt it wasn’t for me. I told myself I could never keep up with the insanely talented marathon runners in class. They were athletic, I wasn’t. As I continued my Barry’s journey, I became close with one of the trainers, Kelly Whittaker-Cummings. To know Kelly is to love her. Kelly is 44-time marathon runner, one of the best people I know, and the most supportive coach and friend. No one else can hit 15 mph on a treadmill like she can! About a year into doing Barry’s, I texted Kelly saying I had a dream she had made me run in class. She believed in me and told me I should really run in the next class she was teaching. Lo and behold, the next Barry’s, I got on a tread and ran for a 5-minute round. And of course, Kelly made the class pause and applaud me for doing it. I felt invincible. That runner’s high feeling had returned, and the wall down of feeling not worthy enough to run was gone.

I continue to run each class and build up my stamina, hitting sprints and endurance runs with less effort. Thanks to Kelly, Meg, Ryan, Maddy, Mike, Maddie B, and so many others, I feel strong and reframed this history I had with the sport. Running is hard. It owes you nothing, but it gives you everything. I run because I can, because I’m capable. I run for my family members with bad ACLs, and I run for that little girl who was told she couldn't run.

300 Barry’s classes today, 300 early mornings of choosing me. Of sprinting and overcoming the narrative of not being a runner and the ‘bigger girl'. I was always just as strong as the other girls. And you know, I’m good never being a marathoner as a few miles a week is everything I need! This reframe has made me less negative about my self-image and think before I cut myself down. And yeah, I still hate running! But as they say- “If you don't hate running a little, you don't love running enough”. 

Thank you, Barry’s. Thank you, Red Room. Thank you KJWC for believing in me.

Love,

Charty

If you're thinking about trying Barry's, please do it! First timers get a few classes for a really discounted price. And I promise it's not as scary as you think.

Kelly's Instagram is linked here! She's a running coach, Barry's instructor, and a mental health advocate. She is the very best.