Brittany Spencer, 27, grew up participating in competitive cheerleading. For the past four years, Spencer has been using her cheer skills as a group fitness coach, leading classes around Memphis with passion and energy.
Spencer always appreciated the teamwork that cheerleading required and was looking for an outlet with a similar level of camaraderie after college. She took a job working the front desk at Pure Barre with no intentions of coaching. However, soon after joining the team, she was encouraged to become an instructor. Today, Spencer teaches barre classes there and is the Head Trainer at Rumble Boxing.
“My favorite thing about group fitness is being able to cheer on clients just like I did for sports teams growing up,” she says. “It is such a privilege to be able to build meaningful connections while educating others on their fitness journey.”
Spencer teaches five to seven classes a week at Rumble. As the Head Trainer, she also handles a lot of the behind–the–scenes work that keeps the studio running, including hiring and managing other trainers, planning special events, and keeping the studio’s social media up to date. Spencer’s favorite part of the job is the people within the Rumble community.
“There’s not one day I walk into the studio without feeling better as I’m walking out, and that’s due to our clients,” she says. “Being able to celebrate clients on their best days but offer support on their worst is something special.”
Spencer strives to push her class participants to their highest potential. Her philosophy both in and out of the studio is “do the hard thing.”
“I feel like so many of us don’t pursue new things — workouts, opportunities, etc. — because they seem difficult,” she says. “But I’ve learned that sometimes just facing these things head-on and making a strong attempt makes all the difference, whether we succeed or fail.”
Spencer is no stranger to challenging endeavors. When she isn’t coaching, she’s studying for the MCAT. Following in the footsteps of her aunt and mom, both registered nurses, Spencer decided to pursue a career in medicine after graduating from college in 2020. Initially, she felt it was an uphill battle because she would need to return to college to take additional classes, find research opportunities, and gain clinical experience. Yet Spencer took her time, climbing the hill and checking off each requirement that brought her closer to her goal.
“Five years later, I’m finally ready to apply to medical school, and I look back on my journey with so much pride because I’ve been able to pursue something I never thought would be possible for me,” she says.
Group fitness has offered a similar challenge for Spencer. She had never planned on being a coach, but when the opportunity presented itself, she was up for the challenge and adventure.
“Though I lack an abundance of free time right now, I’m grateful to wake up every day and have the ability to spend my time doing things I love,” she says.
For more information on classes, visit Rumbleboxinggym.com/location/midtown-memphis and Purebarre.com.
By Maya Smith
Photo by Josh Clark
