Over the past seven years, I have been invited to a number of events and workouts but none have left me as inspired and energized as Sunday’s Dare to Bare NYC event.

Part of the Movemeant Foundation, Dare to Bare is a national movement that asks women a simple but important question:

“What if we DARE to overcome the insecurities we have about our bodies? What if we instead chose to BARE our vulnerabilities in an effort to conquer them? Could we reveal the most powerful version of ourselves? ” 

What started years ago as a charity fitness event in NYC is now a year-round movement to help women of all ages find self confidence. However, the Dare to Bare NYC is just as powerful and inspiring as it was when it started. Imagine taking a Soul Cycle or other group fitness class, surrounded by women of all shapes and sizes, in one of NYC’s busiest spaces.  The message was all about self-love, finding your inner strength and having the confidence to bare your body as you worked out versus linking self-love to the number on a label or scale.

Notice the sea of neon in these pictures? Each participant was gifted a complimentary Sweaty Betty Infinity Workout Bra to wear during the event.  This neon bra not only has a fun, detailed back but is also comfortable, supportive and has molded cups to provide shape.

As we explored the event area we saw many familiar faces –Dani, Nicole & Michelle.  There were multiple group fitness classes including dance, yoga and HIIT as well as refreshments from Bluestone Lane and an adorable Sweaty Betty pop-up shop. At 11 AM Ashley and I stripped down to our sports bras and found bikes 23 and 24 for the Soul Cycle ride. Talk about an inspiring ride!

We had the opportunity to ride with three Soul Cycle rock stars ( Amanda Max, Jenny Gaither (SF), Melanie Griffith) who I have now marked as favorites in my Soul Cycle app.

Their music, mantras and energy pushed and inspired each of us in ways we didn’t imagine. By the end we were cheering, giving strangers high fives and celebrating each other. The energy was contagious!

If you haven’t experienced Dare to Bare in New York or San Francisico, I highly recommend you add it to your calendar for next year. Get a group of friends together, raise money for a great cause and then spend the day sweating and smiling together with hundreds of other women!