Walk Through the Doors
This is our beautiful, kind, strong and resilient instructor Hayley Thomson. Hayley wrote this very vulnerable tribute to Pulse Dance Fitness Studio and gifted it to me for our one year anniversary. She bravely asked me to share this with all of you. At first I didn't want to share it. It felt too personal. I wanted to keep it to myself. But then I realized, it's not about me or for professional gain. This is for the woman out there silently struggling with a traumatic life event of her own that needs to know she's not alone. That needs to hear a story of hope. That needs to know that there is a community here at Pulse wanting to support her in her journey. That needs to know you can find joy in the darkness, even if it's just for forty-five minutes of your day while you dance your troubles away...
This is written by our beautiful, kind, strong and resilient instructor Hayley Thomson. Hayley wrote this very vulnerable tribute to Pulse Dance Fitness Studio and gifted it to me for our one year anniversary. She bravely asked me to share this with all of you. At first I didn't want to share it. It felt too personal. I wanted to keep it to myself. But then I realized, it's not about me or for professional gain. This is for the woman out there silently struggling with a traumatic life event of her own that needs to know she's not alone. That needs to hear a story of hope. That needs to know that there is a community here at Pulse wanting to support her in her journey. That needs to know you can find joy in the darkness, even if it's just for forty-five minutes of your day while you dance your troubles away...
Hayley - I've wanted to put what Pulse Dance Fitness Studio means to me into words for a while, but have had a hard time finding the space and organizing my thoughts in a manner that would make sense. Please, bear with me as I attempt to summarize the last year of my life. I am 31 years old, a school district administrator and working on my doctorate degree and superintendent licensure. I have always been a happy-go-lucky individual. However, my life is not where I ever pictured it to be, and this past year was one of the hardest years of my life. That said, Pulse opening last February was my saving grace. I don’t know where I would be without my job at Pulse, Mikaela, the friends I have gained, and the amazing community of people who enter those doors every day!
Last spring I filed for a divorce. I am forever grateful that it was a cordial, and mutual process. However, when your life takes an unexpected turn, the processing of that change is not linear. Some days I would wake up proud of myself and encouraged, others I would feel the weight of shame and uncertainty that no one was putting on me, besides myself. I moved homes, changed my name, and adapted to a new life I had never lived before. Just when I started to settle into my new normal, I was faced with some significant family trauma. I won’t dive into the details, but the shock to my family nucleus was substantial, in more ways than one. We continue to deal with the aftershocks and strain of it all. The processing of this event(s), was also not linear. I now have unexpected triggers, and a weight to my life that came quickly, and heavily.
There were a handful of times that I cried in the back parking lot of Pulse, not wanting to go in, put a fake smile on and teach a class. Yet, I was not going to let everyone down. So, I whipped my tears, put on a fake smile and went inside. By the time a few clients walked in the doors, my smile was no longer forced, it was genuine. People who come to Pulse are excited to be there and genuinely happy to see you, and I was genuinely happy to see them. They had no idea what I was going through, but their presence was comforting and their joy was contagious. By the time I would be a few songs into my set, the weight of everything else going on lifted. I became authentically joyful, when less than an hour prior I was a complete mess. The joy would last for hours after class as well. Pulse became my best form of therapy.
After some time, I craved going to Pulse when I was feeling down. Sometimes I craved wine, but hey I am only human! Seriously though, craving a workout was never something I had experienced before, but going to Pulse is not like going to any regular gym. I knew I would leave feeling joy, a sense of accomplishment, and have a full heart from all of the amazing people I would have the pleasure of connecting with that day. Pulse served to support my mental health, and physical health simultaneously. When I took the job, I thought why not? I can dance, this will keep me regularly in shape, it is a great location, and Mikaela seems nice! I had no idea that it would have the positive impact on my overall health and wellbeing that it has had. The detrimental effects that the past year of my life could have had on my mental health and physical health were avoided, and I gave all of the credit to Pulse Dance Fitness Studio.
At my age, most of my friends are starting families. My best friend moved away. Additionally, my life changes I endured naturally impacted my friendships. Once again, Pulse came to the rescue and I have secured some amazing friendships while working here. “Let’s take a class then get drinks!,” “I am coming to your class tonight!” or, “Want to do something this weekend?” have become some of my phrases. The ladies that work here are stellar humans. Mikaela is the most driven, well rounded, business owner who manages so much, so eloquently. Beyond the instructors, the clientele are welcoming, engaging, dedicated, each uniquely beautiful and FUN. I cannot say enough about every individual who walks through that door. Thank you for coming to Pulse, and thank you for helping me, I am sure you had no idea you were, but you have impacted me greatly. I don’t know where I would be without all of you and Pulse. THANK YOU.
Finally, I recognize that my story isn’t revolutionary or unique. Everyone’s story is complex. If I can give you some unsolicited advice, it would be to walk through the doors. Walk through the doors, and you feel better. Walk through the doors, and you will be okay. I promise you will leave feeling better than when you came. - Hayley Thomson