Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Herron.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was never really into fitness growing up; in fact, I avoided at all costs! It wasn’t until I had both of my boys, 13 months apart and dealing with postpartum depression, that fitness came into my life. As cliché as it sounds, it was truly a lifesaver! Six months after having my youngest son Jaxon, I was at my lowest point. While looking for solutions for my postpartum depression, I found my saving grace, Tone It Up (TIU). I found them on social media and started doing their free workouts on YouTube, starting with 5-10 mins and moving to 15-20 mins. It was exactly what I needed, I was doing something for myself little by little getting better. After a few months doing these videos, I started an Instagram account for accountability. TIU had created such a great community and it motivated me to push myself harder in my workouts. My Instagram account slowly started to build with a like-minded stay at home moms trying to find time for themselves as well. I knew about a year into it that I wanted to do something in fitness, but at that time had no idea what. I quickly realized that the mental benefits of fitness are what kept me coming back, sure the physical benefits are great and such a bonus, but fitness literally helped me get over my depression.
I used my social media account, and still do to this day, to show my real authentic self. I want to show you that I’m having a rough day, had a bad run, ate pizza, my kids driving me crazy, the real life stuff. I pride myself on that. Two years after documenting my workout journey, the good, the bad and ugly, I was contacted by The Barre Code. They were opening up a studio close to me and wanted me to be their brand ambassador. I jumped at the chance, again something in the back of my mind was saying do something in fitness but still didn’t know what. Cut to a few months later they asked me to audition to be an instructor! I said yes of course, but little did I know, how much work goes into being an instructor. It wasn’t easy but I put in the work day in and day out.
I loved being an instructor but I couldn’t help but feel like this wasn’t where I was supposed to be. Cut to September 2016, I found Barrys. I went to my first class and I have been obsessed with that red room ever since. I went 5-6 days a week, never missed. It challenged me in ways that I had never been challenged. I was running at speeds I never thought I could, I was lifting weights I never thought I could. A few months into it, I was approached by Gui, master trainer at Barry’s and whose classes I was going to daily, to think about being an instructor there. I thought he was out of his mind. But, he believed in me and saw my passion, I auditioned. Hardest audition ever, and being an instructor at Barry’s is like no other. I loved it. It put me completely out of my comfort zone. Two years later, I am still an instructor at Barry’s and still document my real authentic self on social media. It’s not often people can say wholeheartedly that they love what they do, but I can. Motivating and inspiring people, mostly women, is my passion. Giving them that extra push to get up and move, to run faster, lift heavier is what I love.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have most definitely had challenges, I had to prove myself to clients, colleagues, and myself. This was unlike anything I had done in the past. I doubted myself at times, was too hard on myself at times, but I kept at it. Taking a class, learning from fellow instructors, and taking the feedback they give and applying it. The learning doesn’t end, and it is all about being humble and soaking in any and all info. I don’t think as an instructor or in any job you should stop learning. I feel like especially in fitness you need to have knowledge and apply it.
I will say that one of the biggest obstacles I went through was in 2017, my youngest son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 11 months after, I became an instructor at Barry’s. It was the hardest time for him, myself, and my family. Getting him the help he needed was my number one priority. I broke down on more occasions than I care to admit but what helped me was being so open about it. Also, that hour that I taught helped me so much, I didn’t have to think about what was going on but to focus 100% on my clients and getting them through their workout. What also helped was I used my social media account, and still do, to talk about it. I show the good days, bad days, and in between. My friends (I hate saying followers) on my Instagram account have seen the progress in him and they celebrate his victories right alongside me. I leaned on my husband, friends both in real life and “on the internet” to pick me up. I say this to anyone going through something like this, TALK ABOUT IT, I did, to anyone that would listen. I didn’t want to fall into the same pattern as I did with my postpartum depression keeping everything to myself.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I feel like having this platform means you have to be honest. I want to empower women, I don’t want women to think you have to wear a size 2 or look or act a certain way. Just like I mentioned before, I pride myself in showing all aspects, I’ve cried on social media, it’s not pretty but it was how I felt at the time. I wasn’t always fit, its important for everyone to know that those people you look up to or “wish” for their body started at a different point. When I started this fitness journey, I wish someone would have told me that. I wish they would have said that slow and steady wins the race, one day of “splurging” won’t erase all the hard work you have already put in. Most importantly, I need for women to know and understand that those teas, wraps and quick fixes don’t work… HARD WORK DOES!
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I have so many but right now, I am currently reading Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop. It’s an amazing book about negative self-talk and how thinking positive gets you where you want to go.
I also am also loving the podcast The Anxious Therapist by Jaclyn Amys. She tells it like it is and I love that her podcasts are short and to the point, 15 mins of no-nonsense or rambling.
As far as inspiration for fitness I always love going on my friend Aldo’s Instagram, @iron_university! He is an amazing trainer and shows the correct way to execute exercises.
Pricing:
- $30 single class at Barrys (Midtown // Aventura)
Contact Info:
- Email: marisa.herron08@gmail.com
- Instagram: marisa_herron
Image Credit:
Isaac Mead-Long, Matt Roy, World Red Eye, Chris Birnie-Visscher, Ally Schmaling
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
