From Punishment to Empowerment: Val's SHINE Story
- Jess Takimoto
- May 11
- 5 min read
"I stopped seeing fitness as punishment. That’s when I finally started healing."
Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/4R0_oY5syV8
Summary
Introduction
Meet Val (she/her) — one of SHINE FIT’s most passionate and inspiring members.
In just six months, she’s gone from avoiding workouts and battling body dysmorphia to dancing with joy, celebrating her progress, and even marking her journey with a tattoo close to her heart.
In this SHINE Stories episode, Val shares how finding SHINE FIT not only changed how she moved — it changed how she saw herself.
Note: This was filmed just before Val moved to Spain in February, and she is now an active member of our #streamteam! We love you Val and are so grateful you are SHINING with us from Spain!
What Was Val's Relationship With Fitness Before SHINE?
Before SHINE FIT, Val's relationship with fitness was complicated:
❌ She believed workouts were punishment for what she ate.
❌ She tied exercise entirely to her appearance.
❌ She felt like she hated working out.
Growing up, movement was always linked to guilt and pressure, but after immigrating to Canada, fitness fell even off her radar — winter weather and low self-esteem made it easy to avoid.
Her mental health declined, and so did her self-image.
"I didn’t even realize how much my confidence had crumbled. I thought working out just wasn’t for me."
The Rock Bottom Moment (And What Happened Next)
When Val found SHINE FIT, she was at one of her lowest points.
Scrolling Instagram at work, she stumbled upon a SHINE ad. The members looked happy, like they were having fun. For the first time in a long time, she felt curious.
She followed the account — and within minutes, received a heartfelt welcome video from Payton, our Studio Manager.
That small moment of connection planted a seed.
She booked a free class… and cancelled.
But something inside told her to try again. She messaged Payton back and said:
"Don’t let me cancel. I need this."
That moment of accountability changed everything.
The Turning Point: Discovering SHINE and Falling in Love With Movement
Showing up to her first class was nerve-wracking — but Val did it.
And to her surprise, even though it was hard, it lit something up inside her.
💙 She sweat more than she had in years.
💙 She felt a sense of accomplishment.
💙 She left smiling — and wanting to come back.
Each class felt a little easier. Not physically, but mentally. She stopped seeing exercise as something to dread and started seeing it as something for her.
"I missed it when I couldn’t come. I never thought I’d miss working out."
The Mindset Shift: Healing Her Relationship with Fitness and Body Image
A turning point came through SHINE FIT’s mindset coaching and accountability programs.
✔️ She began separating her worth from her appearance.
✔️ She saw fitness as a way to care for herself — not punish herself.
✔️ She worked through deep-rooted body dysmorphia and began feeling more at home in her body
By showing up consistently and staying connected to the community, Val rebuilt her self-esteem — one class, one mindset shift, and one promise to herself at a time.
She even began taking the bow at the end of class — something she avoided at first because she didn’t feel worthy.
"I didn’t think I deserved to bow. But now I know I do."
Finding Deep Connection and Community
For Val, SHINE became about more than fitness — it became her third space.
✨She made close friends.
✨She started hosting sleepovers and going out for brunch.
✨She became known for being the first to say hi to new members and make them feel welcome.
"As an adult, it’s so hard to make friends, but SHINE made that possible for me."
SHINE wasn’t just healing her relationship with fitness — it was healing her relationship with herself and others.
The SHINE Tattoo: A Symbol of Growth and Self-Love
As Val prepared to move overseas, she knew she wanted to carry SHINE with her — forever.
So she designed a tattoo:
✨ A woman hugging herself (like they do in class).
✨ Leaves symbolizing growth.
✨ SHINE’s lightning bolt hidden near the heart.
"This is my accountability buddy now. It reminds me — I did this before. I can do it again."
The tattoo marked not only her time at SHINE, but the inner transformation she’d experienced.
From Punishment to Empowerment
Today, Val is training 4–5 days a week.
She prioritizes fitness and joy in her daily life — even planning to livestream SHINE classes late at night from her new home abroad.
➡️She’s no longer driven by shame or guilt.
➡️She doesn’t exercise to shrink herself.
➡️She moves to expand herself — in confidence, connection, and self-worth.
"SHINE gave me back something I thought was taken from me — my joy."
Advice for Anyone Starting Their Fitness Journey
Her advice for beginners?
👉 "Just show up."
Not sure if you’ll like it? Not sure if you belong?
Val says — try it anyway. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to take the first step.
"There is no perfect time. You just have to leap. It can change your life."
Conclusion: Val's SHINE Story Continues
Val’s story is proof that fitness doesn’t have to be rooted in punishment or perfection.
It can be joyful, healing, and transformative — both inside and out.
Through SHINE FIT, she found:
💙 Joy in movement
💙 A mindset rooted in self-love
💙 Lifelong friendships
💙 Confidence she never knew she had
And even as she moves across the world, SHINE will remain part of her daily life — because once you build this kind of relationship with yourself, you never want to let it go.
"This community healed a part of me I thought would stay broken forever."
If you’re scared, stuck, or don’t know where to start — let Val’s story inspire you.
You deserve to take up space.
You deserve to move with joy.
And your story can start today.
TAKE ACTION
Feeling inspired by Val'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!
Comments