Hidden Gems: Meet Ashton Roark of Revive

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashton Roark

Hi Ashton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My fitness journey began during my time at Lipscomb University, where I first taught a spin class. At that time, wellness was a new concept for me. As a fashion student, I had close friends who were D1 athletes. I admired their mental strength and discipline, which inspired them to continually push their boundaries. I experienced a similar feeling on the bike and came to appreciate the mental health benefits of physical fitness. This discipline served me years later when I was involved in a serious car accident and was a victim of domestic violence. The physical and mental toll was immense, and it took me years to recover mentally and physically.

I truly believe it was years of learning to push my endurance levels physically that allowed my mind, body, and willpower to pull me out of a circumstance that could have taken my life. The road to recovery was long, and I was forced to learn how to revive life & energy back into my physical body, as well as my mind and spirit.

This is where I became an advocate for workouts that are backed by science to do more than just get your endorphins going. My physical body was suffering blackouts, chronic fatigue, breaking bones, etc. Doctors were not able to do much; therefore, I had to be my own advocate. I found power plates, which are known to be one of the safest ways to build bone density, flush lymphatics, restore balance and mobility, decrease cortisol, and boost HGH. After 2 years of trying to restore my body’s physical state of normalcy, I was getting nowhere. After 4 months on the plate, I was no longer fighting that battle. I learned that workouts should feel good to the body. That doesn’t mean they are not rigorous and challenging to mind and body, but when a workout offers you numerous health benefits beyond a better physique, your body will thank you.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my 2 years of rehabilitating myself, I was forced to learn a valuable lesson. Movement is a gift, not a chore. A fitness studio is not a luxury; it’s a community of people that will push you to go beyond your own limitations. We will all face setbacks, trauma, and disappointments. But we are not all equally prepared mentally and physically for the “fall.” We all have thresholds and breaking points. Sometimes getting back up feels impossible. I know I was there. In my darkest moments, I remembered an instructor who really loved burpees way more than she should. I remember her standing beside me cheering me on when I wanted to quit. When I thought I might be taking my last breath at the hands of my abuser, it was that moment that I remembered that despite the fatigue I felt from fighting for my life, I needed to fight just a little bit harder. My body, my brain, and my willpower knew I was worth fighting for and that I had the power to get myself out of my circumstances alive. To this day, I value the quote, “fall seven times rise eight.” Its really about your willingness to get back up, not the fall.

As you know, we’re big fans of Revive . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Revive goes beyond physique because I wanted to create a safe space for people on their wellness journey to practice training their mental health by workouts that strategically challenge the brain as much as the body. Every class includes an element of detox because, whether we like it or not, our bodies have a habit of keeping score. At revive, we believe your body is made for strength, not storage. We also practice listening to your body, as it’s always speaking. We offer you a variety of methods to train the body and to relax the mind because your body doesn’t always need the same thing every day. Some days you need to push yourself, therefore we offer high-intensity training on the plate. Sometimes you need to connect mind and body on a deeper level, so we have a dimly lit, hot Pilates room where we intentionally do not use mirrors so you are forced to connect to yourself without distractions. We also offer recovery classes, as they are just vital in training your body.

My background is as a personal trainer who is also certified in Lagree, Pilates, spin, power plates, barre, and TRX. I have worked for spinning digital as one of their on-demand instructors and lead breath work and sound healing sessions. I don’t believe there is only one way to your best self. I believe everyone’s path is different. I have always specialized in what I call a “fitness map.” Most people overlook the role their mental health is playing in achieving their fitness goals. When I work with clients it’s to help them find a wellness routine that’s sustainable and makes them feel most alive.

As a trainer, I’m not just there to teach you fitness but instead to help you overcome a common obstacle we’ve all faced. The desire to quit. Studies have shown roughly 43% of people give up within a month. For me, this is proof that it’s more than just teaching people to move but instead teaching people how to love themselves enough to fight for an hour out of their day that they can devote to improving their health and reviving their mind, body, and willpower.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We host private lymphatic massages and sound bath sessions, a wonderful choice for cozy small groups, bridal parties, and so many other occasions. It’s a delightful way to spend time together.

Plus, we’re excited to offer special discounts to college students and businesses wishing to provide a wellness package for their hardworking employees. We’re all about promoting health and happiness!

For anyone who’s interested in using the power plate for rehabilitation, we warmly welcome you to register for a private session. If you’re new to fitness, we strongly recommend our “intro to form” private training package. It’s a great way to learn how to move safely and effectively with an experienced personal trainer!

Pricing:

• Intro Offer $99 unlimited session.
• Or, $10 first session.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.revivepilatesandplates.com
• Instagram: @revivenashville
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/revive-pilates-and-plates-nashville