http://barrecode.com.au
christie@barrecode.com.au.
Hi my name is Christie Strike - growing up I was much the same as most girls, attempting Classical Ballet, Tap Dancing, Gymnastics and the like, before settling on Jazz Ballet as my extra curricular activity of choice (my parents were delighted, as the studio was just around the corner from home… or maybe that was the reason for their strong persuasion towards me taking up Jazz Ballet …). From the ages of 6 to 16 years old, I religiously attended two or three classes a week, and danced my heart out at concerts, comps, Eisteddfods and festivals. Year 11 rolled around and the folks got serious - "time to give up the lycra young woman, you've got more important things to decide, like what you want to be when you grow up."
I had no clue, even after finishing my VCE, what I wanted to be when I grew up. That was until the day I walked out of my first Pilates session feeling 3 inches taller and floating on air. Fast forward a few years and I’d completed my training with the Pilates Institute of Australasia, and had found my individuality as an instructor, incorporating my old school Jazz Ballet stretches with traditional Pilates moves in my classes.
My husband and I relocated from Victoria to Hobart in March 2006, where I continued to further my training in Pilates. Soon enough the time had come to open my own studio doors. A space became available, and a throw away suggestion to my handy husband - "do you think you could build a ballet barre which would support.... non-ballerina's?" - led to my classes evolving once again. The use of the ballet barre as support while pulsing, squeezing and stretching every major muscle, plus most of the smaller ones, is a deceptively effective way to tone up and slim down, and word got around. Within 6 months classes had filled to capacity, six beautiful and courageous friends were training to become instructors, and the lease for Studio #2 had been signed.
Today, Barrecode has a league of devoted Barre Stars of all ages and fitness levels, and there’s a collective sense of determination, energy and yes, Girl Power, in every single class. Stories of my clients transformations - powerful and inspiring life changes as a result of the strength they've gained by ‘hitting the Barre’ - is quite simply, humbling. To empower women, to help them feel good in their skin, strong in their bodies and radiate vibrancy in their day-to-day lives, just sets my heart on fire.
So very glad this was what I decided I wanted to be when I grew up.
To be chosen as one of Hobart’s lululemon athletica Ambassadors is without a doubt just. plain. Awesome. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE all things lululemon, an affair which started the day I got my buns in that first pair of Wunder Unders.
As well, in line with lululemon's goal setting philosophies, I am a hu-uuuge advocate of 'write it down, share it around, make it happen.' I am living proof of the magic that occurs when you share your goals - the right people appear and help you make them reality. As soon as I articulated my vision for Barrecode, the people who wanted to see it happen stepped forward, such as my trailblazing team of instructors. Family, friends and clients continue to inspire me with their heartfelt support and encouragement as the business grows, and without a doubt are the reason why I reach further and do more than I might otherwise have done if I’d kept the Barrecode vision a secret.
Goals I have ticked off this past year include my recently completed Body Arts and Science (BASI) Pilates Certification, which had been a dream of mine for a few years, and until recently wasn't easily attainable in Australia. As well, this year Barrecode was selected as a lululemon athletica strategic partner, a goal I’d had since the very first day Barrecode classes commenced. My goals for next year are bigger and brighter than the ones I’ve accomplished this year, and I’m STOKED that I get to fly the flag as a lululemon Ambassador as Barrecode forges a path in Australia’s fitness industry.
Oh and the other thing I love about what I do: 20 years on, I get to wear lycra every day.
