The Real Meaning of Strong

(And Why You Don’t Have to Hustle to Find It)

I’ve come to a different, more profound definition of the real meaning of strong. For most of my life, “strong” meant pushing beyond my means.

Pushing too much weight.
Pushing through pain.
Pushing past tiredness.
Pushing to keep up with routines that looked good on paper, even when they felt all wrong in my body.

There was a time when I thought being strong meant never skipping a workout, never modifying, never resting. The only “good” workout was the one that left me dripping in sweat and totally spent. And if I didn’t feel wrecked after? I assumed it didn’t count.

Sound familiar?

So many of us carry that same story. We were raised in a culture that links strength with suffering. You’ve heard the adage—no pain, no gain. Hustle culture taught us that doing more = being more — and that taking care of ourselves was indulgent, selfish.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to know; not just in theory, but in my bones:

The real meaning of strong doesn’t mean you push through. It’s what you come home to, into your beingness. You are a human being, after all.

When I Stopped Pushing, I Finally Felt Strong

I remember a few years ago, I was navigating one of those invisible fall seasons — the kind where nothing looks too dramatic on the outside, but everything on the inside feels tender. I was recovering from a long stretch of burnout. My energy was low, damn near lethargic, my joints were aching, and I couldn’t stomach another “no excuses” motivational message.

One morning, begrudgingly, I unrolled my mat with no plan, no playlist, no pressure. I moved slowly, intuitively. A few small dips here and there. A little more mindful movement. Some gentle breathwork. A stretch that lingered longer than usual. Movement that was a much-needed salve.

And afterward? I didn’t feel “crushed” or “shredded.”
I felt clear. I felt whole. I felt strong.

That was the moment I knew I needed to change how I moved — and how I taught fitness.

That’s Why SWEAT Was Born

The SWEAT program isn’t about punishing your body into shape. It’s about waking up what’s already inside you.

These fast-paced, heart-pumping workouts blend Barre with strength circuits, interval training, and cardio work — yes, it’s fierce, but they’re sequenced with sustainability in mind. Each class is 20–30 minutes long, intentionally designed to fit into your real life.

You’ll see heavier weights and some jumping this month. I wear shoes to help with the impact; feel free to go barefoot. But, as always, we honor the fullness of you — your joints, your nervous system, and your energy.

The thing is, if strength comes at the cost of your enthusiasm and well-being, that’s not strength. That’s a performative, inauthentic, wear-you-down type of movement that is more detrimental than it is healing in the long run. Frankly, we’re not here for performative movement anymore. We’re here to reclaim our bodies, call back our resilience, and recall our power through movement.

Experience the Real Meaning of Strong Inside SWEAT

Here’s what this month-long program delivers:

• 🔥 4 weeks of fiery fusion—high-intensity Barre + Intervals with intelligent sequencing
• 🧘 Built-in stretch and recovery days to support longevity
• ✍️ Journal prompts to help you reconnect to your “why”
• 🧠 A deep focus on nervous system resilience, not overwhelm (we get breathy, but not exhausted)
• 💡 Clear, body-affirming cues that empower, not fix or correct

And the best part? You have complete autonomy to choose what feels right each day. Want to modify? Please do. Need a break? It’s built in, but feel free to press pause. Want to go all in and lift heavy? Let’s go.

This is your practice. Your body. Your rules.

Because, You Are Already Enough

So often we ask ourselves: “Am I doing enough?” “Am I strong enough?” “Is this enough to make a difference?”

What if our self-inquiry were rephrased a bit? Such as asking something more like: “What actually supports me?” “How am I feeling today?” 

If your workouts have left you feeling depleted, disconnected, or like you’re chasing a version of yourself that no longer exists — it’s time for something new.

SWEAT is here to remind you that you don’t need to hustle for your worth. You don’t need to prove anything. You don’t need to get smaller or push harder to feel like you’ve “earned” your rest.

You are enough.
Your strength is still here — it just might look different now.
And that’s not just okay — your evolutionary self is powerful.

So, Redefine Strength With Me

Let September be a refresh. Sweat it out and discover your real meaning of strong.

Not the kind that demands you “get back on track” or “shed summer indulgences” — but the kind that returns you to your beingness; yourself. The kind that invites you to move in a way that’s expressive, intelligent, and aligned with who you are now.

Because strength isn’t about how hard you push.
It’s about how deeply you trust.
And when you trust your body, everything changes.

✨ Ready to barre hotter and heavier than ever? ✨

SWEAT isn’t about doing more. This program redefines strength and celebrates the vibrant, impressive parts that already live inside you. After this month, you’ll feel more capable in your day-to-day physical demands and empowered in going after exactly what you want. 

Start the SWEAT program today and feel more capable in your body — and your life — than ever before.

— Adrienne

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Get to know Barre Eclipse 🌙

Ready to explore more? Then visit our blog for body-affirming tips and refreshing insights that help you break free from diet and fitness culture. 

Or perhaps you want to feel what a body-affirming Barre Eclipse class is like? If so, join the SWEAT Program.

Additionally, follow Adrienne on Instagram or TikTok to get to know the founder on a personal level.

Finally, lead your own Barre Eclipse revolution with our Teacher Training. Download the free curriculum now.