06/10/2026
Member Highlight: Suzanne Carver
š· How long have you been coming to Manic?
I joined Manic in early 2023 after realizing I had lost both the motivation and confidence to work out with intention and care. A series of challengesāincluding a double hip replacement and severe plantar fasciitisāleft me in constant pain and barely able to move. At times, it felt unbearable. After months of near stillness, I knew I had to do something different.
š· What made you decide to join?
I committed to three months at Manic, believing that would be enough time to rebuild a foundation and eventually return to working out on my own.
š· How has your experience compared to your expectations?
I remember my second visitāI sat in my car and cried. I was overwhelmed by how far I had drifted from what once felt like a strong, resilient body. But deep down, I knew something else too: I just had to keep showing up. That over time, things would change.
š· How is Manic different from other gyms youāve been to?
I had to live the words I often share with othersābe kind, be patient, and nurture every part of myself: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. And keep going. Iāve always believed the body is a roadmap for our life, and this experience deepened that belief. The body is always communicating, asking for what we needāboth above and below the surface. I had the mobility and flexibility to move through life, but I lacked the strength and resilience to feel truly sovereign.
š· What has changed the most about you over your time here?
After those first three months, I kept going. And I continue to be impressedādailyāby the positive, strong culture and community at Manic, as well as how effective and thoughtfully challenging the workouts are. Iāve made dear friends here. Not only do I get an incredible workout, but I also feel elevated by the people around meāpeople Iāve grown to admire. In every way, itās different from anywhere Iāve worked out before: fun, challenging, motivating, supportive, and yesāstill incredibly fun.
š· What are your goals as you continue to train here?
My goals now are to stay consistent in how I care for myself and to set realistic goals that align with my desire to live a full, adventurous life. I want to feel strong in my ability to meet life as it comesāto take command when needed and not feel held back by a lack of strength or courage.
š· What has changed?
I feel more sovereign. In a time when so much is outsourced, I take greater responsibility for myself and place less blame on environment, genetics, lawful entities, or circumstance. I cherish the body I have and treat it accordingly.
š· Do you have any advice for someone considering trying out Manic?
If I could offer any advice, it would be this: stay consistent. What you do in showing up for yourself physically at Manic will ripple into every other area of your life.
I have a massage and bodywork practice here in Fort Collins. I also teach anatomy, pelvic health, and yoga, with a special focus on the relationship between the pelvis and the psoas.
My current class explores the anatomy and function of the pelvis and psoas, and how they influence posture, movement, sexual function, breathing, digestion, pelvic health, nervous system regulation, and body awareness. The psoas is one of the bodyās deepest and most influential muscles, formed early in development. In fact, some embryologists believe it was the first muscle/organ created. Often described as deeply intuitive, the psoas constantly communicates through posture, tension, movement, and what we experience as gut instinct.
If youād like more information about classes, bodywork, or upcoming offerings, please visit my website at https://www.suzannecarver.com/ and sign up for updates. All proceeds from the class are donated to womenās charities.
