CLIENT SPOTLIGHT-
MEET MARY CATHERINE!
Hometown -
I'm originally from Western MA, and I lived in NYC for five years and then Boston for 8 years. Now I'm in Norfolk, VA! I moved here almost two years ago and I'm still getting used to not living in the northeast, it's quite a change!
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I'm a professor of philosophy! I teach college classes in philosophy, the philosophy of psychology, and the philosophy of gender. I do interdisciplinary research in the philosophy of psychology. Most of my research in the past couple of years has been centered around trying to better understand and treat combat-related trauma. So I look critically at the way that we diagnose and treat PTSD and try to pull things apart and see if there are things that we are missing or methods of treatment that we have not yet considered. I also look at things like reintegration post-deployment so that we can better anticipate some of the problems that we encounter and deal with them more effectively so that people are in less pain. I really love my work - both the teaching and the research - but it can definitely become all consuming between classes, preparing for and traveling to conferences, and general university work.
What you can see from what I've already written here is that I tend toward being a workaholic. It all feels so important to me, and it's never done, so it can really easily seep into every area of my life, which can be depleting. I'm trying to work on balance so that I've got some other things in my life, including DanceFIT!
How long have you been taking classes at DanceFIT?
I actually started taking classes in the Brookline studio before my wedding in 2010! I had never experienced anything like it, and quickly became addicted! I relied on VirtualFIT for a long time when I was doing my PhD. Then when I got my first job, I just became completely immersed in it and am only now coming up for air. I've been back in the Virtual studio for about a month, and I am so,
so
grateful for it. The academic life can be really really isolating, and really really sedentary - so signing on every night and 'seeing' the instructors and other students really is a lifeline for me.
Favorite thing about DanceFIT?
It's impossible to pick a single thing! Just thinking about this question makes me cry! It's a really stabilizing force in my life right now. I think a lot of people think that they're going to be able to commit to their own home practice (yoga, exercise, P90X, whatever), but there is something so wonderful about signing up for my week of classes and then just not thinking about it again. I literally just have to put down what I'm doing, throw on some workout clothes, and follow the instructors! It sounds kind of silly, but not having to put thought into it is a real luxury. I also love the workouts - there's really nothing out there like it (and I've tried ALL of it!). There's always great variety each week so that you can change it up and work your entire body. The instructors are all so encouraging and kind - but they also kick butt! Also even just seeing everyone else on the screen in their little boxes working out with you makes you feel like you're part of a movement, a community of people who are all dealing with the same life difficulties you are. I'm doing SpringFIT in a couple weeks and really looking forward to getting to know people better!
Favorite workout accessory:
This is a hard one too! I love my mat - it has a pretty design which keeps your mind busy during plank :)
But I think the one thing I could not live without are my headbands! Can't stand the feeling of those little flyaway hairs when you're busy working hard!
