Something New For DC — WellcommDC [4.20.26]

WellcommDC is the email newsletter bringing you the best of the DMV’s wellness community. Get On The List and get Wellcomm sent directly to your inbox. Have a friend who would love Wellcomm? Then please forward our email or tag them on our IG.

[EVENTS RETURN] We’re bringing back DMV event coverage! But rather than share a long list, we’re curating one event per email and calling it our Hit Event. Keep reading to see what we picked this week, how we choose our Hit Events, and the experiences you can expect from Wellcomm going forward.

[HIGH FIVE] We gave a High Five to Leslie Bailey, a Yoga Instructor, Soul Flow app Owner, and Global Retreat Leader in Austin, TX.

Wellcomm: Where do you workout?

Leslie Bailey: In Austin, I teach at Black Swan Yoga Austin, the Fitness Iinstitute of Texas, and, as of three weeks ago, Castle Hill Fitness. I work out at Castle Hill Fitness, too, and have been a member for over three years. I love it. My two favorite classes to take are Robert Reed for kickboxing and conditioning, and my new favorite is Derekè Thompson’s Cardio Fit Dance! I smile the whole time. I love Pilates classes, too, and Kelly Bach for barre. I take most of my yoga classes at Black Swan Yoga Austin these days. I really enjoy rolling out my mat next to a student or friend and taking a class together.

WC: What does wellness mean to you?

LB: Feeling good in your skin, mentally and emotionally. It’s a good night’s sleep, daily movement, eating the rainbow, fresh squeezed orange juice daily, and having a community of people I enjoy.

WC: What are your wellness goals over the next twelve months?

LB: This may be controversial, but I don’t have “wellness” goals. I don’t count calories, I don’t own a scale, I don’t count protein, and I don’t meal prep. I’m tired of hearing the word “perimenopause” or about the latest fad or issue that needs fixing. I don’t feel like wellness can be measured. It’s a feeling. It’s caring about this miracle of your body and loving it: bending so you don’t break and making peace with it when it changes and ages and celebrating what it can do. I am happier when I move my body. I know food is medicine. Rather than have a goal, I give myself grace and patience. I eat the thing, I have the wine, I enjoy my life, and I order another if I’m with friends. My goal is to have a good time, move in a way that brings me joy, and, when I’m home, eat clean and get good sleep.

WC: Who are some people who inspire you, motivate you, or keep you accountable when it comes to your wellness?

LB: Zoe Mantarakis, Lauran Janes, Brett Haginas, Marco Delosssantos, and Latra Szal.

WC: What advice would you share with someone looking to change their wellness routine?

LB: Your body is an absolute gift: treat it like the best one you’ve ever been given. Love it completely now, not “someday if” or “when it,” but now. Then go celebrate all it can do and feed it well.

Know a fitness instructor or personal trainer who deserves a High Five? Click here to submit your nomination so we can consider them for a future High Five profile!

[HIT EVENT]

• What: SOMA Wellness Club Event: breathwork, Pilates, HIIT, cold plunge + sauna, live DJ, and vendors

• When: May 2nd from 10 AM to 1 PM

• Where: Hook Hall

• Why: A rare all-in-one experience blending fitness, recovery, and community, positioned as something new for the DC wellness scene.

• How: Grab tickets via the link in their bio to claim a spot (limited capacity).

So how do we pick our Hit Events? They’re curated exclusively for our WellcommDC Community from former High Fives. Each week, we’ll highlight one standout fitness event in the WellcommDC email. This could be:

• a group workout

• a pop-up fitness event

• a race or charity run

• a pickleball tournament

• a cycling ride

• a recovery event or

• anything else fitness-related

These events will be shared with all Wellcomm email subscribers, but submissions from former High Fives who are subscribers are prioritized, ideally for events they’re organizing, leading, or personally involved with.

We’ll feature one event per week, so spots are limited. We’re grateful for our High Fives and are excited to share these exclusive ongoing updates from the best of the DMV!

That’s this week’s edition of WellcommDC. Like what you read? Get On The List and get future editions sent directly to your inbox. Have a friend who needs to read Wellcomm? Forward our email to them or tag them on our IG. Until next time, take care of yourself, and take care of each other.

Go For It,

Your WellcommDC Team

Transform Your Self. Transform Your Community. Transform Your World.