WellcommDC [8.24.26]

WellcommDC: The Best of the DMV's Wellness Community

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.

[HIGH FIVE] We gave a High Five to Grace Wright, an instructor at BASE and CASA ellevate in Austin, TX.

Wellcomm: Where do you workout?

Grace Wright: When I’m not coaching, you can usually find me working out at home with my own equipment (heavy dumbbells, bands, and all the essentials) or taking classes from other instructors at the studios where I teach! I also love using ClassPass to try new studios around Austin. Since I only moved here in June, I’ve been having so much fun exploring the fitness scene and experiencing different formats, instructors, and communities. I’ve been so impressed by the fitness community here, and I’m always excited to keep trying new studios because each one brings something different and special!

WC: What does wellness mean to you?

GW: Wellness to me is feeling strong, energized, confident, and connected to our bodies. As a fitness instructor, I want movement to feel empowering and enjoyable: not like something you have to do or something used just as a way to change your body. I love helping students challenge themselves, build strength, and leave class feeling better than when they walked in, physically and mentally! I also believe wellness means knowing when to push and when to recover and finding a way of moving that actually adds to your life. That philosophy is a huge reason I built Strength + Grace, my nutrition coaching business. I wanted to create a space where women could get stronger without falling into the all-or-nothing mentality that so often comes with nutrition and fitness. Through my coaching, I also help women learn how to properly fuel their bodies for their workouts, improve their relationship with food, and feel confident in their bodies without restriction.

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

GW: One of my biggest wellness goals over the next 12 months is to get more plugged into the Austin fitness and wellness scene and build a strong sense of community here. Leaving the fitness community I had built in Seattle was honestly one of the hardest parts of moving because those relationships became such a meaningful part of my life, but I’m excited to create that same feeling here in Austin. I also want to keep challenging myself as an instructor, trying new studios and formats, prioritizing recovery just as much as training, and making sure wellness continues to feel fun, social, and supportive rather than just another thing to accomplish.

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

GW: So far in Austin, our studio owners Andrew Phillips at BASE and Eleni Abendschein at CASA ellevate continue to support their instructors and push them to be their best! My friends here in Austin also continue to show up to my public workout events and studio classes. And my husband, Caden, continues to push me to pursue my passions and encourages me to always be the best version of myself. I feel so supported by the Austin community already and can’t wait to immerse myself in the community even more!

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

GW: Start small and focus on what you can actually sustain. I think people often try to overhaul everything at once, but the best wellness routine is one that fits your real life and leaves you feeling better, not more stressed. Find movement you genuinely enjoy, pay attention to your energy and recovery, and don’t be afraid to adjust as your needs change. Consistency matters, but flexibility is what makes it sustainable!

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!

[DMV HIT EVENT]

• When: Saturday, August 29th from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

• Where: Aston Martin & Bentley Washington DC in Ashburn, VA

• Why: Luxury meets wellness as Aston Martin & Bentley transforms into a space for movement, mindfulness, and community. The experience features yoga led by Britt Dupree Daniels alongside a sound healing experience with Crystal Carson, offering a chance to slow down, reset, and connect with others.

• How: Reserve your spot through The Community’s link in bio.

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.