Team MightyFIT Spotlight: Natalie Strahorn
By: Christine Bean
Meet Natalie Strahorn, one of our Team MightyFIT Ambassadors, owner of The MVMNT Society, and busy mom of two. Learn how she discovered her passion for fitness and designed classes for women of all fitness levels to help them become their strongest self, inside and out.
How did you get your start in the fitness industry?
Natalie: My story is a perfect example of how it’s never too late to find your passion in life. I was 30 years old when I found my passion in fitness. I began my career in the fashion industry living in NYC, working on photoshoots, marketing, basically a jack-of-all-trades. A friend took me along with her to a fitness class in the Hamptons that I totally could not afford, and it was the first workout class that I really loved. For years, I had struggled to find a workout I loved and connected with, and this class opened my eyes to a new type of workout that wasn’t as slow-paced as yoga. Soon after, I moved back to the DC area with my now-husband and found a job at AOL in marketing, but I didn’t feel fulfilled. I took a barre workout class that had a crazy waitlist in Georgetown, and I said to my husband, “I could totally do this.” Barre was non-existent in D.C. and I knew the trend would be coming here soon, so I signed up to become certified to teach.
What’s the story behind The MVMNT Society?
Natalie: The MVMNT Society is a fitness studio fusing elements of pilates and dance with functional, full-body fitness techniques. Our classes include Sculpt, Bounce, Bosu, Sweat, and Pilates Stick. I opened my studio in June of 2014, so we are coming up on 7 years which is crazy to say! I first opened the studio via a franchise, and I didn’t feel that I was getting my money’s worth. I wanted to offer more than just barre, so during COVID we took the opportunity to leave the franchise and rebrand. It was a ton of work, and very nerve-wracking, but people have truly rallied behind small businesses this past year and I couldn’t be more thankful for the support of our community. I was so nervous about being closed for three months, how I was going to pay my bills, but we had an amazing support system helping us. My cousin built my new website, my parents helped paint the studio, and we were able to reopen in July as The MVMNT Society. My goal is to help other women feel confident, enjoy their workouts, and see results.
What’s your best nutrition advice?
Natalie: I grew up doing cheer and dance, and have always seen women, like myself, caught up in this vicious mind/body cycle and not having the tools to live a healthy lifestyle. I didn’t figure out how to eat healthy for a long time. Once I got certified to teach barre, the food element went hand-and-hand. I figured that I had spent so much time getting my pilates and barre certifications, I had to commit to finding a way to eat healthy while still enjoying food. The tipping point for me is macros; when friends say to me, “I’m eating healthy and I don’t look the way I want to, what is going on?!” I tell them to start counting macros. It teaches you proper portion control, and how to eat a balanced meal. Some people think macro counting seems like so much work, but when I started I used an app to get me going, and got the hang of it after a couple of weeks. I couldn’t believe it when I started to see results right away! I felt good about myself and knew that I was nourishing my body with healthy food.
Why do you love MightyMeals?
Natalie: It just makes everything so much easier for us, and my kids love the meals too. It keeps our whole family on track; I know we’re eating healthy, and it takes one less thing off my plate as a busy, working mom. One thing I especially love about MightyMeals is the variety, and the ability to see the macros and calorie count; it takes the guesswork out. Having a meal delivery service was a blessing post-baby, and it takes a lot off your plate, especially in the beginning. I really love to cook, but you can’t beat the convenience of knowing that we can sit down as a family and have dinner already made for us.
What is your favorite MightyMeal dish?
Natalie: Oh this is tough! There are so many that I love. The Almond Crusted Mahi and Shrimp Fajita Bowl are probably my top two.
About Natalie
Natalie Strahorn has been a leading fitness instructor for over ten years in the DMV area. Natalie’s passion for fitness and movement led her to open a top-rated sculpt studio in 2014. The studio quickly evolved into more than just sculpt, with super-popular classes like Bounce and Sweat. The studio rebranded as The MVMNT Society in 2020, a multi-disciplinary destination for health and wellness. Natalie is mother to Scarlett and Smith, wife to Bryce, and lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
Follow Natalie and The MVMNT Society on Instagram, or on Facebook (Natalie and The MVMNT Society) to stay up-to-date!
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