How I got into group fitness...
I grew up an athlete, so I’d say, I was always pretty active but really got into group fitness after returning from studying abroad in 2011. I remember coming home to my roommate telling me she had signed up for a Pilates class at a studio in our neighborhood (shout out to North End Yoga & JPPilates!) and she convinced me to go with. I was hooked from that day on! There’s something about the energy and motivation that group fitness creates that I couldn’t get enough of. It wasn’t until a few years later that I realized I wanted to be an instructor. I had graduated with an Advertising degree but was bartending until I could find a full-time job. I was still practicing Pilates regularly and had really started to delve into all things wellness, including nutrition/food, so it wasn’t long before the universe sent me a sign that my life had a different purpose. I decided to take the leap into fitness and started teaching Pilates in 2013. Shortly after, I took my barre certification and started teaching both. Today, I’m absolutely in love with what I do and couldn’t imagine my life without fitness! It truly changed my life and I hold it dear to my heart that I get to share that with so many others. You can read more about my teaching style and certifications here. 
What else I'm into...
I love to cook so if you follow me on Instagram you'll find a mix of #foodspo, #lifespo, and #fitspo. You'll also find a collection of recipes on my EAT page.

I founded the Instagram page Barre & Pilates Collektive as a one stop shop for Pilates and Barre instructors to get inspiration for choreography and classes, continue their education, and promote community over competition!

Check out my feature in Boston Voyager: Meet Trailblazer Brittany Sousa!
The road hasn't always been easy...
My relationship with food, fitness, and my well-being hasn't always been a positive one. I struggled with my body image for a very, very long time. It definitely hasn't been a smooth road to where I am now but anyone who says it has been is lying! It took hard work and dedication but also taking a long, hard look in the mirror to work on my self-growth because it all starts with you. 
But, I’m thankful to have gone through my own struggles because now I can relate to young girls or other women going through it. As an instructor and social influencer, I do my best to promote body love, intuitive eating, and just keep it real. In my classes, I focus on motivation that relates to strength, not only physical but mental. You’ll never hear me talk about the way anyone looks because there’s enough of that out there and you never know what people are going through. It breaks my heart to hear women talk badly about themselves because I’ve been there but I want them all to know they’re strong and capable of anything.
I’ve launched a hashtag/movement on social media, #womenwithoutrules with the help of some amazing women to help continue to spread the message that all women are strong, sexy, and fierce in their own way and we don’t need rules set by the media or anyone else to hold us back! You can also join the Women Without Rules Facebook group!
How I know so much random sh*t about health & wellness...
From years of destructive habits on my body, I developed terrible digestive issues and effed up my hormones. In the midst of all my issues, I had already begun delving into nutrition and taking a more holistic approach on the way I lived my life. So, after becoming frustrated with western medicine doctors, I decided to advocate for my own health. I began reading, listening to podcasts, following trustworthy social media accounts, and just learning as much as I could to help myself. I'm certainly not in a perfect place now but I've mage huge strides and I have taking care of my physical and mental health for that, not popping pharmaceuticals! Now I share my knowledge and what's worked for me in hopes of helping others in their own health journey. Check out my lifestyle page for resources, gut health/women's hormones blog posts, and more!