What Actually Made a Difference in My Health & Fitness

From a Celiac Diagnosis to Finding Movement That Feels Good

Julia here. I’ve always been an active person. From the age of three through college, I danced, moving seamlessly between ballet and jazz. But once that structured routine ended, I struggled to find a workout that felt both sustainable and enjoyable.

In San Francisco, I became hooked on Barry’s Bootcamp and SoulCycle, pushing myself through intense workouts while adhering to what I thought was a “clean and healthy” diet. Yet, despite my efforts, I constantly battled inflammation, never felt my best, and didn’t see the results I expected. For years, I jumped between high-intensity workouts, convinced that working out harder would yield better results. When it didn’t, I felt defeated. I’d go months without exercising, feeling as though it didn’t matter since nothing was progressing.