We have been lucky enough to meet up with Rachel Kerr several times in the last couple of months.  We first met over coffee and have since collaborated on some fun fitness projects.

A little bit about Rachel…    

Rachel grew up in West Virginia and has lived in Columbus for the last ten years.  She’s spent years working in marketing & events, yet recently realized she’d be much happier working in her yoga pants!  Rachel followed her passion and sought out to complete her 200 hour YTT certification, while planning The Beauty Barre, a space for women to be empowered.  Her BB site has plenty of goodies for the fitness lover including healthy recipes, powerful workouts, killer retreats and a daily dose of happiness.

When she isn’t planning events or teaching yoga classes, Rachel spends time with family & friends.  She loves all things healthy, including yoga, barre, hiking, biking, boating and anything involving the outdoors.  We keep hoping she’ll join us for a run sometime!

As of this interview, she is busy teaching at VUE Columbus, V Power Yoga, Bend Active, System of Strength and Fair Trade Yoga Studios.

TOUR OF COLUMBUS

We’ve been touring Columbus to visit Rachel at various locations.  Our first class with her was a hot Vinyasa Power Flow at VUE Columbus.  It was a beautiful venue and surprisingly, heated right up, even in the middle of winter.  We enjoyed her 60 minute flow and all [of course] headed for coffee after.

 

Our latest collaboration was a RUN + YOGA event at Bend Active. The runners met at Bend for a 3.1 mile loop around Upper Arlington – check out our route HERE.

After the run, Rachel led us in a 30 minute YOGA FOR RUNNERS class, focusing on stretching, hip openers and specific poses & sequences great for runners looking to cross-train, gain flexibility and/or prevent injury.  Check out our previous post on Running, Yoga & Hips and check out our flow below!

 

FIT SPOTLIGHT

We did a little Q & A with Rachel on all things FIT.  Here is what she had to say…

What is your motivation for LIVING FIT?

I want to feel good and live life to the full potential. It’s hard to do that when you feel sluggish, mentally unhealthy, or just unhappy in your skin.

What does your daily diet look like?

I eat ALOT. A past roommate once told me it’s funny how much I eat. Due to that I try to eat pretty healthy, but I don’t prohibit myself from anything. I typically have a protein shake and coffee in the morning, mid morning snack of apple and peanut butter, salad with pita for lunch, mid evening snack of randomness and dinner to include veggies, fish and some type of potato. I believe red wine and chocolate should definitely be included in the food pyramid.

We definitely agree!

What are your favorite ways to sweat?   

Power Vinyasa Yoga or some type of boot camp class. It’s really hard for me to workout alone so I love the energy and atmosphere a class and instructor bring.

We are big on meeting for coffee after runs.  What is your go-to coffee shop beverage?

I’m pretty plain jane…I just love good old fashioned coffee.

Some of your favorite FIT things?

• FIT place around Columbus:  System of Strength & Native Cold Pressed

• Healthy eat(s): Chocolate Banana Protein Shake ~ chocolate powder, organic peanut butter, almond milk, banana, ice

• Inspirational mantra: Live the life you’d be envious of if you saw someone else living it

Tell us more about The Beauty Barre!  

It’s a space for women to come to be empowered, healthy and beautiful. We do this through awesome workouts, restorative retreats, accountability partners, health and life coaching while surrounding you with a community of inspiring and like-minded women.

Any words of wisdom for others who want to begin or continue a FIT lifestyle?

Just start somewhere; you don’t have to wake up at 5am with a green juice or be able to run a marathon. Healthy looks different for everyone.

Anything else you would want us to know?

I love traveling [Guatemala and Aruba recently] and exploring new adventures!

We have really enjoyed getting to know Rachel and look forward to many future fitness encounters. 

Most photos taken by Living Fit Columbus.  Other photo and info credits to The Beauty Barre.