Kait’s story is a reminder that sometimes the hardest battles aren’t the ones we fight in the gym, but the quiet ones we carry in our heads. What began as a simple effort to lower her blood pressure became a journey through family history, fear, and the kind of health anxiety that can make even the strongest person hesitate. But in the middle of all that uncertainty, she found something steady: a community that showed up for her at 6:15 a.m., day after day, with encouragement, connection, and the kind of support that makes taking the next step feel possible. Her experience shows how movement, friendship, and a space where you’re truly seen can help you face the things you’ve been avoiding and come out stronger on the other side.
Borrowed Time and Rising Numbers
In May 2022, I started working from home. I became sedentary, and by May 2024, my body was starting to break down. My shoulders hurt, my neck was sore, and worst of all, my blood pressure was on the rise. My primary care doctor had given me 6 months to lower my BP, or I was going to need medication. She’d given me an extension on that 6 month timeline twice; I knew I was really on borrowed time.
Fear, Friendship, and a First Step
I was hanging out with my very sweet friend, Todd, talking about how I was worried about my BP, because my dad died at 60 and I was approaching 40. Todd, very kindly, offered to bring me to his gym to try it out. He explained that he goes to this really nice, small CrossFit gym and most importantly, the community there is amazing. Knowing that I needed to make a change, I accepted his invite, and got in touch with the team at IA.
I was pretty determined to avoid medication for blood pressure, because I was sure that if I worked out, I could bring it down and that this was really just my fault, despite the fact that I knew that my genetics weren’t great. You see, even though my dad died so young, his parents lived to 80 and 92, respectively. I was pretty convinced that he was the outlier, and that really, I need to exercise.
Where Routine Became Relief
So, I joined the gym,and became a regular at the 6:15 classes. This was the only time I had in my day to exercise, and despite hating to get out of bed in the morning, attendance became part of my routine. This is in no small way due to the people that are regular 6:15 attendees. This time slot quickly became some of my favorite people to be around. By January 2025, I’d done enough work that my BP was normal! I was thrilled, my doctor was thrilled, and this is where I was hoping the story would end.
Of course, that would be too easy…
Fear, Facts, and the Freeze in Between
In March 2025, my mom handed me a family history that my aunt wrote back in the 80s, documenting my dad’s entire side. It turns out, almost all of my family members died of heart disease. Armed with this new information, I realized that my dad wasn’t the outlier. Armed with this new information, I did nothing.
Well, I worried. I went to my 6:15 classes. I told my friends all about the situation. I didn’t really do anything to address the issue. I knew I needed to make an appointment with a cardiologist. But I wasn’t ready yet. I thought, if I made that cardiology appointment, the doctor was just going to tell me to lose weight. Just call it my lived experience with health providers as a woman in a bigger body.
Trying My Best, Waiting Too Long
In January 2026, my blood pressure numbers started to creep up again, despite my best efforts. I was already eating a healthy diet, I was at the gym 3-4x per week. I knew that I’d done everything I knew to do in order to improve my heart health. It still took me another 7 months to schedule an appointment with Cardiology.
When I Finally Asked for Help
In July 2026, I finally went to the cardiologist for the first time. I explained the situation first to a doctor doing her cardiology fellowship – my dad died at 60, I already eat a really healthy diet, and I’ve been working out 4x a week pretty consistently over the last few years. I knew that for me, I’ve done all the things that I know how to do, that fit within my limits, and that despite my best efforts and the fact that I’d already brought my BP down, it had started to increase.
The fellow left to bring in her attending, and I was not really sure what to expect. However, what I did not expect was the first words that came out of her mouth.
“I am so happy you’re here. We never get people with strong family histories to come in before the problems start. We only ever get them once there’s a major issue. This is awesome.”
Facing Genetics, Finding Grace
I was shocked. A part of me thought I was going to get laughed out of the room or told to drop some weight and that it would be fine. I never expected a warm welcome, and a plan.
I left that day with the knowledge that I HAD done everything that I could do to manage my BP. Dr. Berlacher told me that sometimes, despite best efforts, you just can’t outrun your genetics. It was time to start some medications because living with a high BP will damage your vessels and cause harm that can’t be undone.
Stronger Because I Didn’t Walk It Alone
While this wasn’t the outcome I really wanted, I am so much stronger physically and mentally than I was when I started at IA. I am forever grateful for the community that welcomed me wholeheartedly back in 2024. Their constant support and friendship is what keeps me coming back. It is in no small part why I was able to leave that day not feeling like a failure.
