From Avoiding the Mirror to Celebrating her Body: Ina's SHINE Story
- Jess Takimoto
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
"I looked up in the mirror—and for the first time, there were no sticky notes to take the attention away from any part of my body. I could just see myself... and I was okay with it."
Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/94j-SV-LeFE
Summary
Introduction
When Ina (she/her) first moved to Canada, she felt isolated and alone. She didn’t have a community, and she struggled with deep insecurities about her body. She couldn’t look in the mirror and used sticky notes to cover her reflection, avoiding the shame and self-criticism she had carried for years.
But through community, coaching, and small moments of courage at SHINE, something started to shift. She began showing up, letting go of perfection, and slowly learning to see herself with kindness.
Now? She walks into class with confidence. She moves with freedom. And she sees the mirror not as something to hide from—but as a reflection of how far she’s come.
What Was Ina's Relationship With Fitness Before SHINE?
Before finding SHINE, Ina’s relationship with fitness was filled with guilt, shame, and a constant sense of failure.
❌ She hated what she saw in the mirror and avoided looking at her body
❌ She pushed herself to work out out of guilt, not joy
❌ She felt deeply alone after moving to Toronto from Italy
“I couldn’t look in the mirror. I didn’t want to see myself. I’d cry during workouts because I felt like I didn’t belong in my body.”
Ina was used to feeling like an outsider — not just in fitness spaces, but in life. She was in a new country, working as a medical researcher in a demanding role, and had no close friends nearby. She stumbled across SHINE FIT on ClassPass while looking for a dance class, never expecting it would become the community she had always needed.
The Turning Point: Finding SHINE
Ina was hesitant to come to class at all. But after years of feeling disconnected from her body, something about the music, energy, and community drew her in.
“I didn’t expect to cry in the first class, but I did. It was the first time in so long that I felt joy while moving.”
❤️ She wasn’t worried about being perfect
❤️ She didn’t feel judged for not keeping up
❤️ She finally felt safe — like she had found her place
She kept coming back. And slowly, something shifted.
Reclaiming Confidence In Her Body
In her first few months at SHINE, Ina began seeing the mirror differently — not as something to fear, but as something that reflected her growth.
🪞 She went from hiding her body to watching herself move with pride
👯♀️ She built real friendships that helped her feel less alone
🎉 She started living her life with more joy and confidence
“I used to stand in the back and not look at myself. Now, I take videos in class. I celebrate what my body can do. I never thought I’d be that person.”
Journey of Healing - Inside and Out
Ina’s transformation wasn’t just physical. She learned how to be kinder to herself, how to celebrate small wins, and how to stop punishing herself through fitness.
Her story is one of deep emotional healing:
🌀 She came to SHINE in search of a workout and found a family
🌀 She stopped pushing herself to change her body and started appreciating it
🌀 She stopped believing she was broken — and started believing she was strong
“I had spent years trying to be smaller. SHINE taught me how to take up space — in the studio, in my life, and in my heart.”
From Doubt to Overflowing Self-Love
Now, two years after joining SHINE, Ina is a completely different person:
🌟 She moves with confidence
🌟 She shows up as her full self
🌟 She’s grown into someone her younger self would be proud of
“I wish I could go back and hug that version of me who felt so alone. I’d tell her she’s about to find her people. She’s about to find her shine.”
Ina's Advice to Anyone Afraid to Start?
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong in fitness spaces, like you’re too far gone or not enough — Ina wants you to know:
“Just show up once. You don’t need to be ready. You just need to come. The rest will follow.”
Conclusion: Ina's SHINE Story Continues
Ina’s journey proves that fitness isn’t about fixing your body — it’s about healing your relationship with it.
Through SHINE FIT, she found:
💙 Joy in movement
💙 Real connection and community
If you’re feeling stuck, ashamed, or alone in your fitness journey, remember this:
✨You don’t have to change your body to change your life
✨You deserve to feel good in your skin
✨And your story can start today
TAKE ACTION
Feeling inspired by Ina's story? Listen to the full episode of SHINE Stories on Spotify or Apple now! If you’re ready to start your own journey and experience the power of community, book a free intro session today and let’s chat about how SHINE can help you transform your relationship with fitness.
Ready to start your transformation? Click here to book your free intro session today!
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