Dearest labarre community, Fall is here, another page turned towards a season of change. Some say it’s a time to prepare for the future. Others say it’s a time to enjoy the harvest, share with others, and save for the next season. We say, why not both? We are certain that you have seen the latest, amazing news as the studio has been transitioned into new ownership and is now owned and managed by my good friend and absolute rockstar, Julie Saccento! We are so proud of everyone at labarre studios for the efforts we put forth in supporting our guests and each other along our fitness & life journeys and none of that will change. After 8 years, I simply decided to transition from owner of labarre studios to passionate founder & observer! Many of you already know Julie Saccento, who has been with us since the genesis of the business as a member in the underground days who graduated to studio instructor, leader and manager. Julie will be taking over the reins and adding to labarre’s legacy, placing her indelible mark on a business she has helped foster and grow. You can read more HERE as she wrote compelling and heartfelt blog which only galvanized why she is THE one to carry on this torch!
When I walked into my first underground class at labarre back in 2017, I had no idea what to expect, or even what I was looking for. I knew that I needed to focus on taking care of my body and carving out a little time each week to focus on myself. As a mom to 3 children, a wife, a school administrator, a daughter, and a sister coming out of some of the darkest months of my life, I had very little time, space, or energy at the end of each day.
If you have been to labarre recently, then you know and love Morgan Goldstein. If you haven’t… well, here’s a chance to meet the student turned instructor and one of the studio's newest leaders on the floor! Morgan grew up in Fremont, California, however, she ventured to the east coast, attending school in upstate New York. Morgan graduated from Ithaca College, studying English and Theater, and continued her academic career in Boston where she continued to study Theater, specializing in Dramaturgy. Finally, to close out her academia, Morgan returned home to Northern California receiving a teaching credential at UC Davis where she put it to good work for nearly a decade, teaching for Fremont and San Jose schools. It’s no surprise to anyone who has spent time with her that Morgan’s creative and imaginative soul shines on in every conversation.
She’s been a part of the studio for a while now, but we wanted you to formally meet one of labarre’s newest instructors, Rae Sterk! Rae grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, a long way from the coast of California! She ventured even further for college as she attended Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI, where she met her husband, Landon, a Santa Clara native. They returned to California for work as Rae taught English at a nearby school while Landon was a software engineer in the heart of Silicon Valley. Growing up participating in sports as well as ballet and different genres of dance, Rae was active from the get-go. In high school she played softball, golfed and did synchronized swimming, however she wouldn’t define herself as an athlete and notes, “I was always terrified of the gym! But I liked certain forms of exercise, especially low impact ones. While I was in college, there was a barre studio that opened and it offered a student discount.” Always open to new things, Rae decided to try it and connected immediately with the routine.
If you’ve been to labarre studios recently you have certainly been welcomed by a smiling face that also wears many hats at 1445 The Alameda. Born in South Korea, Kellen Zunich was adopted by her lovely family that started her on a lifetime journey that brought her to the Bay Area. Spending her younger years in Eugene Oregon, Kellen called Ohio home for a little more than a decade before she headed west to live in Santa Clara. Her parents’ career in higher education was the catalyst for the move and her mom was the Dean of the Santa Clara University Law School as well as the acting President of the University for some time. A graduate of Santa Clara, Kellen majored in communications and has put her education to work in the marketing world as a writer, digital marketer, and more! (As a matter of fact, some of the brilliant imagery you see on our Instagram page is a byproduct of Kellen’s marketing chops! Labarre’s location, a mere mile and a half from the beautiful Santa Clara campus happens to also be Kellen’s connect to the equipe. It was at school where Kellen learned of the studio by way of our resident rockstar, instructor Sarah Hays !
Meet Nancy Moua, the newest addition to labarre studios as we introduce IV Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, and Aesthetics to our already robust wellness team. Nancy, who owns and operates RevIVe Therapy & Aesthetics , is driven and excited to bring her business to 1445 The Alameda for members and guests. “It’s been a long journey.” Nancy begins to tell her story as this California native, born in Orange County and made her way to the Bay Area via the Central Valley continues on. Her passion stemmed from when she was a young girl and watched her grandfather do what he did best, heal.
Confession: I’m afraid of makeup. I know, I know. I have two degrees in theatre and went through a major goth phase in high school; how can I be afraid of makeup? Perhaps it’s more accurate to say I’m afraid of regular makeup. If it’s not caked-on to counteract stage lights or provide an outward expression of the darkness of my (teenage) soul, then I’m utterly lost. As a result, my adult, everyday makeup routine consists of a tiny bit of eyeliner and some mascara. Sure, I’ve spent hours scrolling through Instagram, fascinated by the magic of contouring and intricacies of eyeshadow application, but I never believed I could do this myself. Then, I got engaged. I knew from my performing days I needed to wear makeup so that my features would be clear on camera, but my wedding was tiny - 14 people total - and in another state. Finding a makeup artist and using them without a trial seemed stressful, and, frankly, unnecessary. Still, I clearly needed some sort of help, so I turned to the place that I knew always had my back: Labarre Studios.
Labarre is a very special place for me. It has shaped me physically, in ways I never thought possible. I went from a student in the underground days, to an instructor shortly thereafter, and now serve as the Wellness Development Coordinator and Master Trainer. I used to teach doubles and triples when I could. It was thrilling to be in class or in front of the class; both brought me joy. I get that joy in everything I do at the studio, no task too big or small, but in the past year, I have struggled more with my Lupus and Fibromyalgia, even though I’ve lived with both for many years. They seem to be taking a bigger toll on my body when one of them decides to flare up, reminding me of all they are capable of doing to my muscles and joints, to the strange brain fog that can descend strangely and lingers, only to leave just as quickly. These diseases take a toll on my body, often in ways no one can see, and that I don’t like to talk about, except with my closest loved ones. But here is why I share this with you: because even when my body is rebelling against me, when I am teaching or taking a barre or HIIT class, I can still move my body, giving me a sense of control when everything is misfiring inside. Even on particularly bad days, I can still make it to, and through, class. I’m thinking of this in particular today, when my body seems determined to take over and remind me of my limitations— I didn’t grab the heaviest weights, and I had to dial back my energy, but I did it. And I can’t wait to go back again tomorrow morning and the morning after that to move, however much I can, so that my body knows I’m still in charge.
To our valued Members and Guests: I wanted to wait until Thanksgiving had past and we were steaming towards December so I could express my gratitude outside of the convenience of a holiday. Let’s face it… everyday should be a day to give thanks and I wanted to make time to focus on being grateful to those who have rallied to keep the labarre community thriving in even the most difficult of times and circumstances. Life is a blessing, and we can be reminded of this on a daily basis, somedays… multiple times! Making time to be truly thankful is real. We all live busy lives and the hustle and bustle of this world seemingly intensifies this time of the year.
It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since I became a certified barre instructor at labarre studios in San Jose, CA. I was invited by Lisa Alberino (Founder and Owner of the Studio) shortly after my instructor certification to write a blog post about my journey from a labarre guest to becoming a certified Instructor. Today I am sharing my story about how labarre saved me during one of the most difficult times in my life. Like so many others, COVID-19 made me pivot in 2020. I was getting ready to open a new apartment complex of nearly 600 units. I was focusing on my overall wellness, and just trying to survive and stay healthy during those truly uncertain times. Fast forward to the beginning of 2021, when someone very close to me started struggling with their mental health and addiction. Simply put, this was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever had to face. On the outside, I was keeping myself together, however, as I reflect on this, I now realize I had a great deal of fear, anxiety, and sadness. I remember coming to the studio in order to prepare to teach class or even times when I was a participant in class and just feeling like I wouldn’t be able to pull through the work. When the session wrapped up, I felt this sense of ease and peace and I took this as a reminder that I was stronger than I thought and I was going to be okay regardless of what the end result was. We have a popular saying in the studio,’You are stronger than you know’ and this was a truth that took me many years to accept.
