Our Approach

Blending Body and Mind: A Holistic Framework

At Own the Space, we believe true empowerment happens when both the body and mind are engaged in the journey of self-growth. Our approach is grounded in an intentional collaboration between two disciplines: psychology and personal training. This blend allows participants to explore and transform their relationship with strength, movement, and self-worth in a powerful, integrated way. 

The Psychology Component

Led by a licensed psychologist, Dr. Michelle Montero, this part of the workshop invites participants into a space of emotional strength, self-discovery, and internal empowerment. Drawing from empowerment-based, strength-focused, multicultural, and trauma-informed approaches, this component centers each person’s lived experience and inherent resilience.

Participants will explore:

Embodied Self Awareness

Reconnecting with the body’s signals—tension, stillness, breath, posture—as a gateway to understanding how emotions, experiences, and cultural messages live in our physical form.

Challenging Societal Messaging

Deconstructing the cultural narratives that shape our sense of identity, value, and power—particularly around gender, body image, productivity, and strength.

Confidence Through Reflection and Voice

Using guided journaling, challenging negative self-talk, group dialogue, and experiential exercises, participants are invited to practice self-expression, boundary-setting, and self-compassion.

This work meets participants where they are, honors the impact of culture and trauma, and supports the process of rewriting internal narratives. It’s about finding your voice, claiming space, and building strength that starts from within.

The Personal Training Component

Led by certified personal trainer, Alex Cramer, this portion of the workshop is designed to help participants build strength, confidence, and trust in their physical abilities—no matter their experience level. Our movement sessions are inclusive, body-neutral, and rooted in the belief that strength belongs to everyone.

Participants will:

Learn Four Foundational Barbell Movements

Gain hands-on experience with the deadlift, back squat, bent-over row, and bench press—movements that form the foundation of functional strength training.

Explore Modifications for Every Body

Learn accessible variations and modifications for each lift, so you can train safely and effectively in a way that meets your individual needs and abilities.

Master Dynamic Warm-Up Techniques

Build a personalized warm-up toolkit with foam rolling, dynamic stretching, and other movement-based techniques to prepare your body for training and enhance recovery.

This is about more than form and reps—it’s about reclaiming strength as your own. Whether you’re touching a barbell for the first time or returning to movement after time away, you’ll leave with greater physical capability, movement literacy, and a renewed sense of what your body can do.

What Makes Us Different

  • Mind-Body Integration: This isn't just a workout, and it’s not just a support group—it's both. By aligning physical and psychological practices, participants experience a more profound and lasting transformation.

  • Inclusivity at the Core: We center voices and bodies that are often marginalized in fitness spaces. All identities, sizes, abilities, and experiences are welcomed and affirmed.

  • Experiential & Practical: You won’t just talk about confidence—you’ll practice it. You won’t just reflect—you’ll move. Every session is designed to create real-time feedback between your thoughts and your movements.

  • Community Connection: We grow stronger together. Through shared exercises and collective reflection, the workshop fosters solidarity, mutual support, and celebration

Physically:

  • Greater strength and movement confidence

  • New tools for sustainable fitness that support, not punish, your body

  • Improved body awareness and alignment

What You’ll Take With You

Mentally & Emotionally:

  • A stronger connection to your body as a source of power, not shame

  • Strategies to counter negative self-talk and cultural messaging

  • A sense of agency, clarity, and resilience

  • A supportive community to remind you that you don’t have to do it alone