As my 36th birthday approached, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Months prior, I prayed relentlessly, asking God to remove anything and anyone who no longer served me. I prayed for clarity, peace, and simplicity. I yearned for serenity in my spirit, but I felt weighed down by clutter—relational, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Yes, I prayed that prayer. I didn’t know where this prayer came from or why it touched my heart so deeply, but I knew it was time for a change. So, with that, I pushed forward and not only said this prayer consistently, but I meditated on it day in and day out.
By the time my birthday rolled around, I felt spiritually unsettled. I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror—a woman stuck in a dead-end relationship, burdened by impostor syndrome, and not sure where my life or career was headed. I felt weighed down, literally and figuratively. I was lost, but I was living and navigating life one moment at a time.
And then, life shifted.
A New Road Ahead…
Two days after my birthday, my boyfriend of eight years left without warning and just vanished, leaving behind me, my child (not biologically his, but a child he had fathered in every way), our brand-new home that we had recently built from the ground up, all of his belongings, and one of his cars. While I wasn’t entirely shocked, I was unprepared.
To this day, I haven’t seen or spoken to him. Could you imagine?
Days later, my car broke down. Shortly after that, my new custom closet collapsed—yes, my entire closet came off the hinges in my brand-new home and collapsed in front of my face. A few days after that, my CPA of nearly 15 years, suddenly dropped me as a client.
Y’all following me?
God answered my prayers quickly and in ways I didn’t anticipate. While I faced one loss after another, I also began to experience unimaginable gains. I realized God was stripping me down to just myself, my child, my emotions, and a tiny mustard seed of faith and confidence.
Reclaiming My Time & Building A Better Relationship With Myself
I knew I needed change—not just on the surface level but a deep, transformational shift that would touch my spirit, mind, and body. It had to come from within, a journey that only God and I could undertake.
As a birthday gift to myself, I decided to prioritize self-care. I got a free one-day pass to a local gym. My goal? Find a space that offered circuit training, wasn’t too crowded, and felt comfortable. Circuit training had always been my thing—I loved how it transformed my body and lifted my spirit.
The search was frustrating until my brother suggested Vie Athletics, a women-owned gym just seven minutes from my house. A quick look at their website sold me. The rustic aesthetic and soulful brand messaging resonated deeply. Vie, founded by Amber French, was created to fill a void in the fitness world—a space where women could grow stronger together. It was about sisterhood, strength, and connection; I knew I had to experience it.
Strength In Sisterhood: My Experience At Vie Athletics
Walking into Vie for the first time, I was nervous and self-conscious. I’d felt defeated for so long that just stepping into this space felt overwhelming. I felt strong but not strong enough. But something shifted the moment I entered. The mental chaos quieted, and I began focusing on my inner strength and determination.
There’s something powerful about moving your body—lifting weights, pushing limits, and sweating out the stress. Whenever I work out, I feel like I’m shedding old fears and insecurities, leaving them at the gym. The angrier I feel, the stronger I push. The more emotional I am, the more resilient I become.
What stands out most is the women’s energy surrounding me while working out. Through encouraging words, smiles, and even silent nods of acknowledgment, I feel seen, heard, and valued. We don’t need to know each other’s names to feel connected. I see their strengths, stories, and resilience reflected in my journey.
When I want to quit, give up, and walk away because I feel weak and defeated, I hear a voice saying: “You’ve got this, girl! Just keep pushing. We’re strong. We’re in this together!”
Whether this comes from a coach or a woman next to me, they always lift me in the little ways with so much meaning and power that probably runs deeper than they even know. In these moments, I feel the essence of sisterhood. It’s not about competition or comparison. It’s about women encouraging one another to dig deeper and fight through challenges—in the gym and even in life.
That sense of encouragement matters, y’all. It matters.
Healing From The Inside-Out
Documenting this healing journey has been eye-opening. When I look back at the videos and pictures I’ve taken during workouts and my time at Vie, I see the pain and sadness on my face but also pure joy and determination. With every workout session, I’m one step closer to healing (and I’m shedding pounds along the way).
This gym has become more than a place to exercise—it’s become a sanctuary for me. It’s where I’m rediscovering my strength physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Every week, when I walk in feeling defeated, I leave feeling victorious. This healing journey is messy, hard, sometimes heartbreaking, and often never-ending. But it’s also beautiful. I’m still learning, making mistakes, and realizing that healing is a daily process that requires constant attention.
My Next Chapter
As human as I am, I still get in my feelings now and then. Meanwhile, God is still removing things from my life and pruning me for what’s ahead. I can feel it and see it happening.
I was—and still am—in need of something new, and I’m slowly finding this inside and outside the gym. I’m realizing that everything happening now is exactly what I asked God for. What I didn’t anticipate were the challenges and heartfelt emotions that would accompany this journey. Yet, it’s up to me to navigate it all and find my way through.
There’s no room for complaints. We often ask God for things we aren’t fully prepared to handle, but even in the midst of it all, He consistently blesses us.
While I haven’t formed close friendships at the gym yet, I’ve already witnessed the transformative power this gym holds for women based on shared experiences alone. This journey is only beginning, but I’m deeply grateful for the connections I’ve started to build at Vie. (A special thank you to Amber French, Coach Cam, Coach Tiffany, Coach Adrianne, and Coach Tammy for contributing to my healing journey!)
When women come together—despite our demanding schedules, life’s quirks, and challenges—it becomes about so much more than building physical strength. There’s a spiritual connection that empowers us to grow, thrive, and shine, even when we feel like we can’t or won’t. We often see reflections of ourselves in one another, finding solace and strength.
This is the essence of the sisterhood effect.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
