Rising Stars: Meet Courtney Boucher

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Boucher.

Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started in 2009 teaching dance fitness at a local gym in Greenville, MS.

I had always been active but never necessarily healthy or fit. During this time I was also attending a community obtaining an A.A.S degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. After graduating in 2014, I decided to move from Greenville, MS to Denver, CO. I had a one-year-old (born in 2013) and was 8 months pregnant with my second child during this transition.

I stopped going to the gym and was not active for about 6 months after my daughter was born. At this time I was 220 lbs and was now embarrassed and scared to go to the gym. I was nervous that I was being judged but no longer felt a connection to the person in the mirror. I decided to start walking, running, and taking group fitness classes around town.

Some of my favorites were indoor cycling because it was dark and I stayed seated, and barre because it was low impact yet still very intense. As I grew and challenged myself along my own personal health journey, I learned how to motivate and inspire others to do the same. I felt that my struggles were relatable and I could use this to help others! I had taught fitness classes before while in college, but I now had a completely different understanding of health and wellness and movement.

In my small hometown, chasing a full-time career never seemed plausible, however after moving to Denver my desire to stay in the fitness industry began to grow. The lifestyle was different and there were many opportunities to grow in my passion. I began by studying and gaining as many certifications as possible and spent most of my time LEARNING, OBSERVING, and working on my own health.

I began teaching as many classes as I could in the Denver Metro area and growing my connections in the health and wellness industry. After several years, I had lost over 90 pounds naturally (, secured a practically full-time job at a major health club teaching many classes throughout the week, and found home at a growing dance studio where I could grow my own programs and classes.

Once Covid hit, everything changed. I was furloughed and being a single mother in Denver became harder and harder. My children and I were lonely and once returning to work and school, nothing felt the same. I realized how important family and our time are and a hunger to move back to the south began to grow. I needed a new start for myself and my children.

We wanted to be closer to family, but didn’t necessarily want to move back “home”. I decided that Nashville would not only put us directly in the middle of all of our family, but the club that I worked for had a location in Franklin and was willing to transfer me. I made the decision to move to Franklin and transferred from Denver to LIFETIME FRANKLIN. Upon moving, I secured a job as a cycling instructor at QNTM in Downtown Nashville.

After remarrying, I moved North of Nashville to Clarksville and due to horrible traffic conditions made the decision to quit my jobs and open my own studio in Clarksville. I wanted to create a place that could house all of my favorite formats and classes under one roof.

A place where people would feel welcome no matter where they are on their fitness journey. The Studio opened in August of 2021, and is an ADULT ONLY fitness and dance boutique studio!!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has not been an easy road, but I find that just like health and fitness, there is not a straight line to reaching your goals and dreams.

It is a constant ever-changing journey, but remaining consistent and showing up every day can get you there.

Opening a community-based class after Covid presents many challenges, such as maintaining distances in a small studio or finding people that are even ready to join a group-based class.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and choreographer. I am known for high energy, upbeat classes, with flashing lights and loud music. My classes are about having fun, feeling welcome and comfortable so much that you are able to break OUT of that comfort zone and MOVE! I believe that consistency is the hardest, yet most important part of reaching your goals!

We specialize in ADULT FITNESS, not limited to, but mostly for adult women. Our classes range from barre, yoga, and dance fitness, to cycling, strength, and HIIT. I am really proud of the community that I have built by opening The Studio. Women who otherwise wouldn’t know each other come together every week and bond, encourage and motivate each other.

I am MOST proud of the women who show up for themselves and others every week and are putting in the work to make positive lifestyle changes. There are several things that set us apart: we are primarily WOMEN-focused. We are ADULT ONLY. We have an eclectic class schedule and even offer choreography dance classes.

We have complimentary towels, nutrition bars, and water at The Studio and do complimentary monthly assessments for all Unlimited members in our coaching app. In my FEMME (jazz+hiphop) clinics, I take what we would normally learn in a normal class and break it down over the course of several weeks. This is great for beginners or dancers who haven’t danced in many years.

It allows them the opportunity to learn the choreography and practice for several weeks and at the end of the clinic we shoot a “music video” of our choreography. This really helps build the confidence of women and gets them out of their comfort zone while trying something new.

Sometimes at the beginning of the clinic, some women are shy and timid, but by the time we record our video, they have a different glow about them and bravely shoot the video (even though it’s optional). This always makes me so proud because I want women to find their confidence!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important thing that I have learned is to keep going, be consistent, and always show up for myself.

Whether you can only give a little or A LOT, being consistent is very important in your health and fitness journey, as well as all parts of your life.

Just as with training, being flexible in your career is very important. You don’t have to wait until Monday to start, or New Year. Start Now. I was nervous to open The Studio because I was still new to the area and we all slightly doubt ourselves, but I learned to just start and you will learn along the way.

I have learned to pivot and change and grow throughout my career and health journey and to just take each day as it comes.

Pricing:

• UNLIMITED MEMBERSHIP $30
• VIRTUAL ONLY $20

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thestudioclarksville.com
• Instagram: @thestudio.clarksville