Jessica Sharpe

Have you wanted to try a Fierce Movement® class, but you aren’t quite sure what to expect? Here is a breakdown of a few basics you’ll need to know before you hit the FierceFormer™️.  

What is Fierce Movement®? 

Fierce Movement® is a 45-minute full-body workout. Best described as high-intensity Pilates, Fierce Movement® incorporates slow, controlled movements and quick transitions. The goal is to maintain continuous tension to burn through slow and fast-twitch muscle fibers, keeping you in the fat-burning zone and helping you build long, lean muscles.  

How is Fierce45® different from other Pilates classes? 

Traditional Pilates is done on a Reformer and is best known for focusing on alignment, rehabilitation, and understanding how to engage different muscles. While Fierce Movement® builds on that traditional Pilates foundation, it also incorporates more strength training, cardio, and balance elements.  

What should I bring to class? 

Sticky socks are required. You can bring your own or purchase some in-studio. We also recommend bringing some water to stay hydrated.  

What if I can’t do something in class?  

One of the most amazing things about Fierce Movement® is that it is for everybody and every body. There are modifications for most movements to accommodate injuries, pregnancies, and various fitness levels. The FierceFormer™️ also allows you to adjust your resistance. If you need more or less, you can add or remove springs. But as always – listen to your body! ❤️

What are the differences in the class formats? 

HIIT + Core: The HIIT + Core class combines 25 minutes of High-Intensity Interval Training off the machine and 20 minutes of center core + obliques for the most badass, calorie-burning, efficient workout ever. Bring your tennis shoes and sticky socks and be prepared to SWEAT. 🚫 We recommend that you take about 10 Fierce Classes prior to signing up for HIIT + Core🚫    

AMPED: AMPED is not for the faint of heart. This format takes our full-body class and amps it up to 55 minutes. This advanced burn will push your muscles to fatigue with low-impact and high-impact intensity movements and recommended for the truly INTENSE Fiercer.

Can I take a class while I’m pregnant?  

Yes! This method is perfectly safe for pregnant and postnatal mamas, after consulting with your doctor, of course. Inform your coach before class so that you can be given guidelines/modifications to follow to ensure safety while still getting a kick-ass workout! Want even more tips and tricks on modifications? Keep an eye on our schedule for upcoming pregnancy and postpartum workshops.     

Christine Lyons – Fierce CFO

A bit about my background: I was born and raised in FL. I was a gymnast,  wakeboarder, and avid runner pretty much my whole life. I attended the University of Florida (Go Gators!) where I received my Master’s in Accounting and also completed my CPA. I had the best group of friends and moved with one of my best friends to Atlanta after we graduated where I worked for PwC. In 2014, I visited CO for a friend’s wedding, and without hesitation, looked for a job out here immediately. In May of 2015, I packed everything up, left behind everyone I loved, and moved out here to CO. I didn’t start my job until July 2015 so during that time I explored different areas and gyms which leads me to… 

Outside of being the CFO: When I’m not at Fierce, coaching Fierce, taking Fierce, breathing Fierce, I spend my days with my husband (who I met at my old CO public accounting firm) Jordan and all of our friends. Jordan and I are the proud parents of 2 corgis, Ripley, and Ziggy Starburst. We both love to bike and snowboard. I also love to travel and visit all my friends and family who are scattered across the country.  

How I started at Fierce: During my extended vacation before starting my job, I decided to try out this gym in LoHi through classpass called Fierce45. I showed up thinking this would be easy peasy and got my butt handed to me in a way I never had before (except the time I took my mom’s car out for a joy ride at 13) It was so hard I didn’t come back for three months. However, once I braved coming back, I fell in love. Then in 2017, I decided I would sign up for Teacher Training. It took a lot of convincing since my day-to-day was pencil skirts and board meetings. Getting on a mic to yell at people to hold a plank was a whole new challenge, and I was up for it because fitness was always my passion. During teacher training, we were given a brief overview of the Company. Looking it over, I realized Melissa Williams was in charge of all things operational and financial. At that moment, I decided this was my chance. This was how I could marry my accounting knowledge with my love of movement and fitness. I walked up to Torrey, asked her if they would be interested in a CPA, and the rest is history. Follow your gut and your dreams!

Melissa Willams – COO

My History: I grew up in NY, about 15 miles north of Manhattan and started my college experience at SUNY Albany. I had a 2-year-old sister and felt I was missing everything, so I quickly transferred and finished my undergrad degree in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Iona College. I then went on to attend St. John’s University, where I received my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology while managing a restaurant in the West Village. I needed a change, and if I had to step on one more subway, someone might have gotten hurt.  I decided to look for fellowship positions in Colorado. My family had vacationed in Colorado during the Winter and Summer, and I loved it. The plan was to move to Denver for two years and then back to NY or somewhere new. My dad had lived in many places, and I was always intrigued and inspired by that. These plans quickly changed when I met my husband Ray, about a month after moving. After 8 years of dating, Ray asked me to marry him on New Year’s Day, 3 years later (to the day), our daughter, Serafina, was born and just 4 months ago, our son Atticus entered this wild ride. 

Why Fierce: I was in a pretty dark place when I learned about Fierce45. Serafina was a ROUGH baby and had terrible colic. She cried all day every day for 6 months, and then it lessened, and finally, we all got some real relief around month ten.  I learned that I had been battling postpartum depression, but didn’t really know it until much later.  I met one of Torrey’s BFF’s, Robin, at baby and me swimming, and she suggested I check out Fierce. I told her I had seen it, and it looked too hard, but she assured me that anyone could do it and modify as needed. So I pushed myself really hard, stepped out of my comfort zone, and went. I was welcomed with open arms and the energy, vibe, and Community that I felt within seconds was amazing.  I genuinely felt seen, supported, and I finally felt strong – both physically and mentally. Something I hadn’t felt in a long time.  I firmly believe that my time on the machine and the people inside the walls of Fierce45 pulled me out of the dark postpartum days.  

After my first class, I immediately signed up for a week, then a month, and then hopped into a membership. A few months in, I was asked to start doing front desk and childcare work. From there, I began to manage our LoHi and West Wash Park locations.  When we were ready, we hired designated Studio Mangers for those locations, and I became the General Manager for the Company. Since then, I have done everything from installing closet organizers, to washing rental socks, to opening new studios, to taking on our financials/books/payroll (which was completely insane) – Fast forward to today, I’m the COO and get to work hand-in-hand with Christine Lyons as our CFO to take Fierce45 to the next level. 

I couldn’t be happier in my position at Fierce and am always excited by the next challenge my dear friend, Torrey visualizes. Getting to work alongside some bad-ass, inspiring, women every day that I call friends is an honor and a privilege. AND I get to do so all while wearing leggings and my favorite pair of Cofi Leather sneakers.  

Weird thing about me:  I have a photographic memory. Which is pretty cool for me, but not so much for my husband.  

Instagram handle: @tigerlily_les

Spotify name: Lesley Romero Lefkowitz

Teaching schedule: Saturday’s @LOHI 10:30a SAVAGE + 11:45a /// Sunday’s @HILLTOP 9:30a HIIT/Core, 10:30a, 11:30a

How long have you been teaching at Fierce45? Since May 2017.

Three words to describe your classes? Challenging, Motivating, Intentional

Who/what is your spirit animal? Mermaid 🧜‍♀️

Favorite workout/class music?  Fierce45/Blend of EDM•House•Hip Hop with an upbeat BPM. Dope Beats + Base are a must! Favorite move on the machine? Love + hate relationship with Sprinters Lunge. Add some slow 2 ct pulses + torso hinges, and I’m ☠️

What is your favorite thing about the Fierce45 community? That it is full of so much positivity, openness, and straight up badassery! Over the years it has brought me so many meaningful and authentic connections with others who share my passion for health + wellness, self-growth & living a life with purpose and intention. It has helped spark energy and inspiration into my life. Serious gratitude and love for this community!! Why do you love teaching at Fierce45? For me, it’s all about empowering others to step into their power & tap into their limitless potential. It’s an honor to hold space for others in their journey of transformation – mind, body, and soul. Why do you love Fierce Movement as a method?  Because it’s challenging, effective and sustainable. It’s so intense and intentional that it forces people to get out of their own way and breathe into the present moment and dig deep. This shit seriously never gets easy, but you get stronger!

Tell us a fun fact about you! I’ve been working with toddlers as a Montessori lead guide for well over a decade. So if your tiny tot is throwing you too much shade, come see your girl 😉