Move30 Brings Confidence and Empowerment

By: Cameron Addertion ‘20 communications

Have you ever felt like you didn’t have a place in the gym? Katherine Mansfield ‘20 was once in the same position. Since then, she has transitioned from not knowing her place in the gym to teaching and inspiring others as a group fitness instructor. Motivating herself to dedicate time every day to physical activity, her wellness journey brought a new confidence, empowerment and stress relief that she is now able to share with others.

Mansfield’s Wellness Journey

Mansfield’s wellness journey began six years ago as a freshman in high school. “I was intimidated and insecure in the gym. I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Mansfield. As a female, she felt an added pressure because the gym was predominately male.

When Mansfield began college her freshman year at NC State she did not prioritize physical activity and found it hard to make time for the gym with the new stress of beginning college. Instead of relieving stress at Carmichael, she felt she didn’t have the time. Reflecting back on this time, she realizes not being active brought her down.

It wasn’t until her sophomore year that Mansfield decided to make fitness a priority. She began taking group fitness classes, seeing them as a convenient way to stay active especially for someone who was unsure of how to correctly implement a workout. Mansfield’s favorite part of group fitness classes is that they are pre-made for you. “It is your job to show up and give it your all,” said Mansfield.

Mansfield enjoyed group cycling as a participant. She loved the uplifting atmosphere of encouragement and the feeling of community of completing a workout with others. Inspired by an urging passion to become an instructor to motivate others herself, she began cycling four times a week to train in hopes of reaching this goal.

Mansfield trained with other group fitness instructors before teaching classes on her own learning the basics by taking other instructor’s classes and shadowing other trainers, while building her own distinct style.

Mansfield keeps the workout fun and energized by making jokes to appeal to her participants’ sense of humor. She wants her participants’ to know she may be a fitness instructor but she still feels the burn with them. She wants the class to be a stress reliever for her students, both new and returning.

“My goal is to encourage. My class may be someone’s first time in the gym. I want exercise to be something they feel comfortable at and want to return to,” said Mansfield. Each class Mansfield teaches, she keeps in mind that someone in her class could be a nervous, first-time participant. She can relate to the pressure some students are under, as she felt a similar pressure during her freshman year. She tries to connect with her participants to ensure they have a positive experience and want to return to her class.

Move 30 benefits Surpass Physical Well-Being

Mansfield found that being active daily brought her benefits that surpassed exercise. Exercise not only helps her physical well-being but mental well-being, too. Now she feels more confident in herself, sleeps better, is motivated to eat a well-balanced diet and handles stress better.

Move 30 Brings a New Confidence

Being active daily not only helps Mansfield’s physical well-being but has also provided her with a new found confidence. “After a workout, I am proud of myself. I know I took care of my body,” said Mansfield.

Move 30 for Academic Stress Relief

Being active helps Mansfield handle her academic stress. “Dedicating thirty minutes to physical activity makes me more productive with my schoolwork,” said Mansfield. Knowing that physical activity makes her more alert and organized, Mansfield prefers to workout prior to studying to be more focused and prepared. Her confidence from physical activity eases her test anxiety.

Mansfield’s Wellness Habits

When asked her definition of wellness Mansfield responded, “Wellness is taking care of yourself in whatever way you may need, and everyone has different needs”. Mansfield manages her time and thinks about her actions beforehand to ensure she is taking the best care of herself. She makes time for exercise, is mindful of her diet, she makes sure to gets enough sleep, plans ahead study time and makes time for herself.

[pullquote cite=”Katherine Mansfield ’20” color=”wolfpackred” align=”aligncenter”]I Move 30 for my health, confidence and to be a better version of myself.[/pullquote]