Finding My Strength Again: My First D1 Training Class at D1 Training St. Pete

If you knew me in my twenties, you know I was the girl who loved a good strength-training moment, would happily sprint into a HIIT class, and genuinely felt her strongest when lifting something heavy before 8 AM. It was my ritual, my reset, my personal form of therapy.

And then… 2020 happened. Gyms closed, life shifted, and suddenly my workouts went from “throwing weights around like a baby Hercules” to “YouTube Pilates in my living room.” Which, don’t get me wrong — love her! But over time, my routine became more yoga, more stretching, more mindfulness… and a lot less muscle-building.

Fast-forward to today: I’m now a full-blown hot yoga girly. My mat and I? We’re in a committed relationship. But somewhere between the deep breaths and the slow flows, I realized I was craving that old version of me — the strong one, the powerful one, the one who didn’t just want to be “skinny soft” but genuinely strong.

So when D1 Athletic Training invited me in, I knew it was time. Time to reintroduce myself to strength. Time for a little sweat. Time to let someone kick my butt…lovingly!

The Vibe: Family-Owned Heart with D1-Level Training

Walking into D1 Training St. Petersburg feels like walking into a gym your best friend owns — warm, welcoming, a little loud, and instantly energizing. And that’s because it is family-owned. The whole team radiates this “you’re one of us now” energy that I wasn’t expecting but absolutely loved.

Huge shoutout to Randy, Julian, and Tristyn for welcoming me in like I was part of the crew from the moment I walked in. The warmth was giving “holiday dinner invitation,” and I was here for it.

Josh: The Trainer Who Launched My Comeback Era

My first session was a personal training class with Josh, and let me tell you…If I thought I was easing my way back in, Josh said, “Actually, no ma’am.”

In the best, most humbling way.

He pushed me, challenged me, corrected my form (bless him), and reminded me what it feels like to really activate muscles that have been on sabbatical since 2019.

I was sweating, I was laughing, I was shaking, and yes, I was dramatically gasping for air like a woman in her fitness comeback era. By the end, I felt that familiar spark again — the one that says, “Oh yeah… this is who I am.”

Why D1 Might Be My New Strength Playground

What I loved most? It’s a space built for everyone, kids, adults, athletes, families, people restarting their journey, people who never left it. They have the resources, the equipment, the expertise… but with that local, family-owned heart that makes you feel seen.

And for someone stepping back into strength after years of slower, softer movement — that meant everything.

Would I Go Back? Immediately, Yes.

I left my first D1 session feeling strong, supported, and a tiny bit jello-legged… which is exactly what I hoped for.

So here’s to building muscle again. Here’s to feeling powerful again.nHere’s to stepping out of “skinny soft” and into my strong-girl era.

And here’s to the D1 Training St. Petersburg family for kicking it all off with me. Stay tuned — this might just become a whole new chapter in my fitness journey.