Physical fitness is not just about lifting weights or running marathons; it's about discipline, resilience, and continuous self-improvement. Fitness champions help coach and inspire others to achieve their fitness goals. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kayla Ridenour
Kayla Ridenour owns Neighborhood barre Farragut, located in Turkey Creek. She is a wife and mom of two boys and has always had a love for helping others.
From her work as a local Kindergarten teacher, to now fitness maven, she enjoys walking alongside others in their journey called life.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
I began my barre journey in January of 2016 when I took my first class in Maryville. I was immediately hooked on how fun and effective the workout was and quickly decided I wanted to become an instructor. I taught my first class in July of 2016 and the rest is history. Barre was and is the only workout I have ever stuck with and continue to get results from, both physically and mentally. Fast forward to January 2024, I began to desire a shift in my career. Come to find out, the Farragut studio was looking for a new owner at the same time. After a couple of months of prayer and deliberation, I decided to take a leap of faith and follow this journey that has been so fulfilling to me throughout the last eight years.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
I am still early in my journey of being a small business owner, but my biggest takeaway so far has been that sometimes things are out of your control. Naturally, I wanted to step in the doors and see a change overnight, but it quickly became clear to me that this was going to take a lot of hard work, training, dedication, resilience, and patience. I try to take each challenge as a new opportunity to learn and become better as a person and an owner.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Patience- When I took over ownership, I was teaching at the time and as always, taking care of my family, so I needed a lot of patience during the training and my work-life balance.
Hard work- Unlike my previous job, owning a business is not a 9-5. You are always on call, working ahead, troubleshooting issues, building relationships, and so on.
Resilience- Owning a business often feels out of your hands. As an owner, you always need to be ready to pivot, make changes, and adapt to different situations. We provide a service to our clients and strive to always provide them with whatever they need. Just like in life, businesses have their challenge, and we as owners must adapt.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
I am currently working to improve our client experience. Starting in January, we will be incorporating a new barrestar program to further encourage and celebrate our client’s milestones.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What inspired you to pursue a career in fitness?
In early 2024, after almost 10 years in education, I found myself desiring a new path. Barre had always been something I was passionate about, and I wanted to seek more opportunities within that realm. Barre is the only workout program that has impacted me both physically and mentally, and one that I have always stuck with. Knowing my love for helping others, I felt this would be a great opportunity for me to walk alongside women and impact them in their wellness journey, just as I have been.
What unique strategies do you use to keep your clients motivated and engaged in their fitness journeys?
Neighborhood barre uses “barrestars” for client motivation and encouragement. We celebrate class milestones, taking 100 or 250 classes for example, by having them sign a corresponding start that is displayed in the studio. Apart from this, we pride ourselves in building relationships with our clients. We celebrate the highs and support during the lows and treat each client like family. Throughout the year we also have different challenges to help keep clients accountable and challenge in their barre journey. This could be taking 20 classes in 30 days or something fun like completing a Bingo card. We love a good friendly competition!
Can you share a particularly memorable success story of a client transformation that you’ve helped achieve?
At the studio I started at and am still a part of today, Neighborhood barre Maryvile, two clients just passed 1,000 classes! Knowing where they started and seeing the strength they now possess, is so special to be a part of.
How do you stay updated with the latest fitness trends and incorporate them into your coaching?
We have an amazing corporate team that keeps us up-to-date with the latest fitness trends! We utilize weekly and monthly training calls to keep us in the loop and at our best.
Here is our main question. Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things Anyone Can Do To Improve Their Fitness Routine”?
1. Set small, attainable goals: Often people look to meet huge goals whether it is weight loss or a lifestyle change, when in reality, non-scale victories can be just as important in their journeys. These could be as simple as not stopping during an exercise, trying a new style of class, drinking more water, or eating more protein. The list goes on and on! Small changes lead to bigger victories.
2. Stay consistent and committed: Consistency is key. We encourage clients to sign up for classes ahead of time. I say “Think of yourself as your own boss, bosses don’t cancel.” Sign up and show up for yourself. Sometimes showing up is the hardest part, but your mind and body will never regret it. Each class is one step closer to achieving a new goal.
3. Try new things: Barre is a one-stop shop for fitness goals. We offer a variety of different class formats, so whether you’re looking for toning, cardio, strength training, and more, we have you covered!
4. Stay hydrated, eat protein, and stretch: These things are listed on all of our new client cards- these are the most important, yet simplest ways you can support your fitness routine.
5. Give yourself grace: This is the most important one to me. Life happens, give yourself grace, sister. Be proud of where you have come from and what you have accomplished, no matter how small.
What role do you believe mental health plays in physical fitness, and how do you address this with your clients?
I believe that mental health goes hand in hand with physical fitness. One thing I love the most about barre is that it is just as impactful for your mind as it is for your body. Our methodology was crafted with whole body wellness in mind and embodies the mindfulness as yoga. We support clients in finding and enhancing what we call their “mind-body connection” in each and every class. We can take care of our bodies all we want, but our mind is the powerhouse of our wellness. I have always struggled with anxiety, and barre continues to be a great escape for me. The release of endorphins and connection with my inner self keeps me feeling strong and capable of doing great things.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I were to start a movement, it would be the "Community Wellness Connection," bringing together local fitness studios, health businesses, and wellness professionals to support both physical and mental health. Through community gardens, free outdoor fitness classes, and partnerships with mental health services, we can offer nourishment and emotional well-being while reducing stigma and fostering connection. My goal would be to make health accessible and fun to all ages, showing that wellness is about creating a balanced lifestyle supported by the whole community.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
Readers can follow us both on Instagram and Facebook, as well as visit our website, Neighborhoodbarre.com/Farragut.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
