October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Pure Barre is honored to support the American Cancer Society (ACS) on their mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join us in the studio on October 13 to “Pink Out” for Breast Cancer Awareness Day as we pulse in pink and raise money for ACS. All month long, studios across the country are hosting donation classes and raising money for ACS to fund cancer research, patient support, and advocacy efforts.
Below, we are grateful to be able to share the stories of our community who have experienced the reality of life with breast cancer. Their stories illuminate the strength and resilience that arise in the face of adversity.
As we highlight the voices of these survivors, we hope to inspire hope and solidarity. Each story not only sheds light on the vital role of early detection, awareness and education in the fight against breast cancer, but on the strength of the Pure Barre community. Find your local studio to get involved and help us support ACS. Together, we can honor those who have battled this disease, uplift those currently fighting, and support ongoing research efforts.
"I found Pure Barre four years ago because I wanted to get back into fitness. My husband and two kids are all really fit, so I wanted to join the party. I immediately liked PB from my first free class, and I signed up that day for a membership. I did ballet for ten years as a kid, so I felt at home in a studio with barres and mirrors. I loved the music, energetic instructors, and the total body workout. Within a couple of weeks I could already see positive changes in my body: I felt more toned and flexible.
I also enjoy all the different formats, and my favorite is Pure Barre Define™. It’s very motivating to be in the studio at 6 a.m. before work, and with the music and lights it feels like I’m having fun at a nightclub.
In February 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 2 bilateral breast cancer, and it was found with a routine mammogram screening. I had been good about doing my regular mammograms every year. The diagnosis came as a surprise, since I didn’t feel “sick” and I have no breast cancer history in my family. It was also a very scary time, especially when I found out I had it in both breasts, which is unusual. Both of my grandmothers died at age 57 from different cancers, and guess what age I was when I was diagnosed?
I decided to have a total mastectomy, and had the surgery in April. I was fortunate to have my brother and sister-in-law, who are both retired nurses, take care of me after the surgery. My husband was in the middle of a six-month hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, but he came home for five weeks to help me. I am also very lucky to have not needed chemo or radiation.
I healed well and have gotten used to how I look with scars. I went back to Pure Barre in June, after taking six weeks off from working out. Being back not only helped me regain energy, strength, and muscle tone, but it dramatically helped my mental state. The instructors were great about giving me modifications, and I gradually built up to the level I was before the surgery. Now, the only exercise I avoid are side planks, and I don’t do as many full-body pushups. But I’m hoping to get back to that soon! I plan to have my reconstruction surgery in October, and I’ll be looking forward to returning to the studio again by the end of the year, and then I'll start over again with re-building my fitness.
My advice to first-timers and the PB community is to just keep coming back. Try out all the different formats and instructors, and find your favorites. I promise you will love your body, the friendly instructors and desk staff, and the positivity of the other people working out with you."
"I've been a Pure Barre instructor for over ten years, initially drawn to the method's promise of developing enhanced flexibility, and effortlessly combining movement with musicality. But it was more than the physical benefits; it was the sense of community—finding like-minded individuals who shared a passion for fitness and wellness.
In 2019, at the age of 43, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy, followed by three reconstructive surgeries over the next two years. Just days before my first surgery, two of my close friends hosted a Pure Barre class in my honor. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from the Pure Barre community; it gave me the strength and courage to face the road ahead.
The surgeries took a toll on my chest muscles and arm mobility, but Pure Barre became my therapy. I modified the workouts to fit my changing body, gradually rebuilding my strength. Six weeks after my final breast surgery, at age 45, I decided to be proactive about my health and underwent a colonoscopy, even though I had no symptoms and was negative for all genetic testing for cancer. To my shock, I was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer, and required a colectomy.
In my process of healing, both mentally and physically, I got a mastectomy tattoo. It transformed my scars into a symbol of strength, reclaiming a part of my body that cancer had taken. Each time I see it, I'm reminded not of what I've lost, but of the resilience and courage I've gained.
In reflection, my breast cancer diagnosis saved my life. It prompted me to do a colonoscopy that inevitably discovered the colon cancer that would have no doubt taken my life, had I waited until age 50. It is now my mission to spread the word of the importance of regular mammograms and colonoscopies as a part of health and wellness."
"My name is Nicola Schneer and here is my story. I have been married for 26 years, I have 3 children and three dogs. I have been doing Pure Barre for over 10 years. It’s the perfect workout for me because it’s low-impact, and it challenges me every time I step into the studio.
In March 2022, I went in for my annual mammogram and little did I know I would be faced with a battle I never imagined. I had breast cancer. I chose to have a double mastectomy and went through 6 months of weekly chemo. Along with my family and friends, my Pure Barre community reacted and stood by me. Exercise, especially something as focused as Pure Barre, can be such a powerful tool for both physical and mental health during tough times. Through this uncertainty working out became my anchor. The familiar movements gave me a sense of control when so much in my life felt uncontrollable. Pure Barre studio wasn’t just a place to work out, it became my sanctuary. One of the things that makes Pure Barre unique is the strong sense of community. From the moment I walk in, I’m surrounded by people who are not only focused on their own fitness journey but are also genuinely interested in supporting others. Whether you’re a beginner or a regular like me (2300+ classes!) everyone is there to uplift and motivate one another.
The friendships I’ve built at Pure Barre are deeper than just seeing each other at class. We are on a shared journey of becoming stronger and that connection extends into our lives outside the studio. They are not just work out buddies; they become a crucial part of my support system.
Now, as I reflect on my journey, I know that Pure Barre didn’t just help me through a difficult time – it became a cornerstone of my healing process. It taught me that strength comes in many forms, and sometimes, just showing up is the biggest victory. The friendships I’ve made and the support I received have changed me forever. I’m stronger, more resilient, and I never want to stop."
Thank you to Kathleen, Chrissy & Nicola for sharing their stories. Contact your local studio to find out how you can help raise awareness this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. New to Pure Barre? Fill out the form below to get started with a free intro class!