I’m Coach Stacy—the owner of KUMA and someone who’s spent years creating a space that feels nothing like a traditional gym.
As a coach, business owner, and someone who’s seen the harm that fitness culture can cause, I care deeply about building a space that’s not just physically challenging—but also mentally safe and empowering.
Because here’s the truth: most gyms are built on pressure, not empowerment.
And I know that pressure well—because I’ve lived it.
A Quick Story About Why This Matters
In the early days of my kickboxing program, I ran a nutrition challenge. At the time, I thought it would help me feel better in my body—and help others do the same.
We started off strong: sharing recipes, trading motivation, and checking in with each other every day. It felt positive at first—like we were building momentum and supporting one another.
But as the challenge ended, things shifted. People weren’t sure how to maintain the habits we had built. Slowly, things unraveled. Some folks disappeared from the group. Others felt like they’d failed. I did too.
And that was the moment it hit me:
This approach wasn’t sustainable—and it wasn’t healthy. Not physically. Not mentally.
That challenge was the last one I ever ran. It became the turning point in how I thought about movement, wellness, and my role as a coach. And it laid the foundation for something much bigger:
The decision to build a body-neutral studio, where movement is never a punishment, and your worth has nothing to do with your weight.
What Is Body-Neutral Fitness?
As a gym owner, my top priority is knowing that what we provide at KUMA is positive and healthy—physically and mentally.
The trauma and harm created by diet culture are everywhere—especially in fitness spaces. For those who’ve struggled with eating disorders or disordered eating, a typical gym can feel not only uncomfortable, but unsafe.
That’s why we’ve chosen a body-neutral approach.
So what does that actually mean?
It means we leave your body out of the conversation—because how you look should never determine how you’re treated, how hard you’re allowed to work, or whether or not you belong in the gym.
Here’s what you won’t find at KUMA:
🚫 Diet talk
🚫 Calorie tracking or food advice
🚫 Before-and-after photos
🚫 Body measurements
🚫 Intimidating mirrors or pressure to “fix” anything
And here’s what you will find:
A supportive space where coaches care about how you feel, not how you look. A place where movement is about strength, progress, and joy—not punishment. And a community where you are truly welcome to move in the body you have, without pressure or judgment.
We do this because we believe fitness should be a tool for connection, confidence, and care—not shame or comparison.
So when we say we’re different… this is what we mean.
And if this kind of space is what you’ve been looking for, we hope you’ll come move with us.
🙌 Coach Stacy
