HOW WE CAME TO OWN THIS MOVEMENT

Own the Space started over coffee—literally. When a casually shared dream of creating a workshop for women was mentioned, I was all in. A few weeks later, in early 2025, planning begun. No business plan. No blueprint. Just a shared idea, raw enthusiasm, and the drive to make something meaningful. And just like that, we were off to the races.

We know how it feels to be the “other” in a room—to feel out of place, especially in environments where women are underrepresented or boxed into stereotypes, like gyms or male-dominated industries. For us, learning to own our space has meant speaking up even when our voices shook, challenging our own fears, and showing up fully—even when it was uncomfortable.

But here’s the thing: owning your space doesn’t mean being loud or arrogant. It means being present. It means honoring your worth, even in the moments when doubt creeps in. It means advocating for yourself and creating room for others to do the same.

We believe that when women support women—by sharing knowledge, stories, and solidarity—we all rise. Everyone deserves to take up space. To own it. And to redefine what power looks like on their own terms.

Our Mission

is to empower women, non-binary, and femme-identifying individuals by providing a supportive and inclusive space to build physical strength, confidence, and community. We are committed to fostering a safe, non-judgmental space where everyone can grow stronger, inside and out, while challenging societal norms and celebrating all bodies.

We believe

that everyone deserves to take up space, make their voice heard and have a supportive community in and out of the gym.

Alex

Co-Founder

Alex Cramer is the owner of Blue Room Training (@blueroomtraining), a personal training studio in Chicago. Her mission is to empower ALL women, girls and non-binary folks to look beyond the scale as a measure of health and beauty. She believes that strength training is for everyBODY and takes a comprehensive approach to getting stronger, moving with more ease and feeling good in your body. She actively practices body neutrality; focusing on respect for our bodies and how they feel. As a weight inclusive trainer, she is dedicated to helping all body sizes and shapes realize their strength. Alex is a former NCAA Division 1 athlete, a former full-time swim coach and holds her personal training certificate with the American Council on Exercise. She is also a certified Functional Range Conditioning (mobility) specialist.

Jackie Stanczyk is an anti-diet, weight-inclusive, & trauma informed fitness, strength, & boxing coach. After nearly a decade working in toxic fitness culture, Coach Jackie sought treatment for her own eating disorder in 2020, which led to a new approach to coaching - one in which she helps her clients ditch the scale, forget progress photos, & find body liberation through movement, self-compassion, & confidence. She is a NASM certified personal trainer and USA Boxing certified coach who emphasizes proper form & technique, the mind-muscle connection, & using breath as a tool. She believes in helping all bodies & abilities feel capable, strong, and at peace - without the daunting need to fit society’s current body standards. Coach Jackie is the founder of The Counterculture (@pleasemaintainsocialrebellion) in which she facilitates workshops on inclusive health & body liberation. She can also be found leading boxing classes at One Way Boxing Club, SoHo House Chicago, and on Airbnb Experiences and coaching 1:1 strength clients at Undefined Chicago & Lateral Fitness.

Jackie

Guest Coach

WHY WE CREATED THIS EVENT

At its core, our mission is simple: we want more women to feel empowered in understanding their health—both physical and mental. We’re building a space where the so-called “others” feel like they belong. Like they’re seen. No gatekeeping, no elitism—just real talk, shared knowledge, and community.

We’re not here to offer just another cookie-cutter strength training workshop. This is something different. This is about the real work—navigating the discomfort, the vulnerability, and the courage it takes to show up in spaces that weren’t always built with us in mind. Especially gyms, but also boardrooms, classrooms, and anywhere else women are told to shrink.

This isn’t just a workshop. It’s not just a “safe space” for a few hours. It’s the start of a movement—one that’s rooted in confidence, community, and the belief that every woman deserves to own her space, unapologetically.

And we think you’re going to want to be part of it.