Meet Winter Holbrook of Barre-Up Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Winter Holbrook.

Hi Winter, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always loved trying different movement modalities and studios, but when I discovered Barre-Up in 2013 (purely based on the proximity to my office at the time and a generous Groupon deal!), I knew I had found “my home”. I loved feeling the supportive and encouraging environment from the moment I walked up that green industrial staircase! I had found a studio that believed in supporting women on AND off the yoga mat and placed emphasis on showing up exactly as you are, wherever you are, without fear of judgment. This not only came from the instructors, but it also came from the other clients as well. Up until then, I had not found that type of environment in all my countless attempts at trying new places. After about 11 months of taking a mix of Barre, Mat Pilates and Buti Yoga classes 4-5x a week, I took the plunge to get a certification in Buti (a dynamic blend of cardio + primal movement + vinyasa). It came at the right time in my life of extreme personal growth and I needed this movement and the support system that surrounded it. I was hooked – I could tell my overall health and wellness was shifting. I could feel my body changing from the inside out, not to mention I was forging friendships with some of the most amazing women I’ve ever known and would later on be very impactful in my life. That subsequently led to a multitude of other certifications, including 200hr YTT, Barre, and Mat Pilates. During that time, we were all helping to build a solid tribe of women made up of both incredibly talented instructors AND clients.

Flash forward to 2017, I had just gotten remarried and was presented the opportunity to take over studio ownership with my bestie, Leah, who also started her Barre-Up journey at the same time as me and from early on, we became fast friends! We decided to take the plunge together despite both simultaneously holding down corporate jobs in the construction and finance industries and from that moment on, life has been a whirlwind!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For years now, Leah and I have worked together to maintain the solid foundation our studio has been built on and that’s how we are able to still be here today. It hasn’t always been easy and despite being in a pandemic for well over a year, we faced the odds because of our ability to change and pivot at a moment’s notice. We had to take an entire studio built on personal connection to a virtual and impersonal world, but with the help of our tribe, we managed to hold on to what was so important to us. Being in quarantine was a much needed reminder that we are more than just four walls.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since quarantine, our studio operates through a virtual platform and in-person. We provide an array of movement modalities including Barre, Vinyasa + Yin Yoga, Yoga HIIT, Mat Pilates, POP Pilates, POUND and BUTI Yoga. We lead smaller “boutique” sized classes when in-person and our wide variety of class formats are available for livestream, outdoors and in-studio. All livestream classes give 24hr access post-class to take at your convenience. We also offer a Barre-Up On Demand Library available on select packages.

There are many great studios in our community these days, but what sets us apart is our people. We are not just a fitness studio. We are a lifestyle. We are a support system. We are a true tribe that places equal importance on physical and mental wellness. We are always ready to hold space for whoever needs it. Both on and off your mat and in and out of the studio, your wellness journey is important to us!

What does success mean to you?
As a business owner, of course I want my studio to be successful, but to me, success is more measured by happiness and connectivity. Helping people has always been my passion, and when your days are filled doing what you love, you exude positive energy and are then able to spread that out to the world. I get to help women every day feel good about themselves from the inside out. That fuels me! I truly believe that empowered women empower women.

Pricing:

• All Access Unlimited Membership – $99 (monthly auto-renewing w/ six months commitment)
• Livestream Only + On Demand Library Access – $100 (monthly auto-renewing)
• Livestream Only – $90 (monthly auto-renewing)
• Student/Teacher/Nurses/First Responders Monthly Unlimited – $90 (monthly auto-renewing)
• New Client All Access Unlimited – One Week – $24

Contact Info:

• Email: winter@barre-up.com
• Website: www.barreupraleigh.com
• Instagram: @barreupraleigh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barreupraleigh

Image Credits
Caitlyn Nicole Photography Lucy Stefani Nally – LS Photo Video Fit Girl Photography