Blake Shutterly Will Show You How to Care for Your Body

Blake Shutterly grew up doing gymnastics and cheerleading, which she credits to her lifelong pursuit of fitness. In college, she found herself without a sport for the first time in 16 years. “I had to keep working out, it was such a part of me,” she says. “I just started going to the gym, going running, and then found CrossFit and weightlifting.” She also went from gymnast to gymnast instructor, passing her passion onto kids. Now, she teaches kids as well as adults on NEOU. But first, get to know her more here: 

What does fitness mean to you?

Fitness means so many things. I had somebody ask me recently how I take care of myself and I had to sit there and really think about the answer. I think, for me, it's fitness, fitness is therapeutic. It's like my moment of zen. I don't meditate, but I do in a way. When I'm working out, it's happiness, it's energy. Fitness is just such a part of my life that it means honestly everything. 

Why did you decide to focus on mobility, flexibility, and self-care?

Well, that's an easy one because my body was shutting down in my early twenties. I was having back issues, hip issues and I think [it was] all of the high-impact sports I did growing up and then lifting very heavy in CrossFit and weightlifting. It was just time to take care of my body and sort of turn a new leaf of not only being strong but feeling strong too. So mobility and flexibility, that all sort of plays into that for me—just feeling good.

What do you hope to give people with your classes?

I hope to give them the same. I want them to feel good. It's one thing to feel really strong and really fit. But then at the end of the day or in the morning when you're waking up - if you feel awful… I just think there's no point in being really fit or really strong without also feeling it too. And, I want people to not be in pain. I want them to prevent injuries. I want them to wake up and be able to put a sock on in the morning without their back hurting, to be able to go about their daily lives feeling better.

Who is Blake outside of the fitness industry?

I would say I'm quite different. I put on my coach hat and I become authoritative, I'm in the zone. But outside, I am weird and artsy and creative and silly. 

Rapid Fire Questions

One thing you need on a deserted island?

Water.

One food you could never live without?

Cheese.

Clothing size, one too small or three too big?

Three too big.

Night in or night out?

Night in. 

Shower or bath?

90% shower. 10% bath. 

Summer or winter?

Summer. Or Fall.

Your number one hype song of all time?

“Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and “Party Up” by DMX. 

Dream destination?

I've been dying to go to Scotland.

Pet peeve?

When people aren't aware of not being the only person on a sidewalk. That's a really big one for me, especially living in New York. When people don't shut the kitchen cabinets. Why is that so hard? When people play really loud music in public places. I could literally go on and on. And that says a lot about me.

Guilty pleasure?

None. If it brings you pleasure, why should you feel guilty about it?