Here at P.volve, one of our core values is “We Over Me”. That “we” is our community who we put first in everything we do—from our workouts to our offerings and the stories we share.  

That’s why this Pride Month, we’re giving a few members of the P.volve LGBTQ+ community the microphone to highlight the importance of Pride and share how we can show up for each other —not just during the month of June, but all year long. 

Read on to meet a few of our community members.   

Robbin Rose, P.volve NYC Member 

How long have been part of the P.volve community?  

Just since February! A friend took me to the studio a couple times pre-pandemic, but I didn’t start coming regularly until recently.  

What does being a part of the P.volve community mean to you?  

I love how it has a small, local studio feel where everyone is so warm and welcoming. Also, the method itself is designed to be both a solid workout on its own and a great accompaniment to improve my performance for the other sports I play recreationally.  

What does Pride mean to you?   

Pride isn’t just a month-long celebration of “being your true self.” There is a lot of deep, challenging, self-reflective work everyone needs to do to figure out who their true self even is. Pride is both a celebration and a reminder that no matter how challenging that work is, it's important because it ultimately makes your own life way better. It also hopefully inspires the people around you to put in the work to better their lives as well. 

How are you celebrating Pride this year?  

My friends and I are so lucky to be able to gather together in NYC this year to celebrate, but it is so important to remember that if your celebrations are not intersectional, you are not truly honoring the history of Pride. Within the LGBT world, there are so many communities marginalized because of their gender, race, religion and socioeconomic status. Showing solidarity with these groups by uplifting their voices and donating time and money is an absolute must because all of our liberation is tied together. After all, it was the most marginalized members of the community who started the fight for equality in the first place.  

How can your community and allies best show up for you?  

Speak up when you hear something that's not right! Even in places like New York where there aren’t as many stereotypically flagrant haters, you'll still hear some self-proclaimed "woke" people make bad jokes about pronouns or demonstrate some other kind of close-mindedness. Remember that even good people have some learning to do. When there's an opportunity to, listen and share.  

What do you want members of your community to know about your story?  

I didn't come out (or even realize that I was queer) until I was 25, and even though I live in a large, liberal city and have a great, supportive group of friends, it was weird and challenging. Remember that part of being queer is that your identity is always evolving, and while that’s a beautiful thing, it can suck sometimes. Be gentle with yourself and gentle with your friends when they’re discovering something new about themselves. When you're asking questions, make sure you’re coming from a place of love and support. You want to aim to help them through the discovery process rather than project your own judgements onto them.  

Joey Mulvey, P.volve NYC Studio Coordinator 

What does being a part of the P.volve community mean to you? 

Being a part of the P.volve community has meant more to me than I can say. I have made everlasting friendships and connected with the most motivated and genuine people throughout my time as a member. P.volve is the reason I started looking for part-time work in the fitness industry because being the first face people see when they come into the studio comes with a responsibility. I want them to know this studio is a safe space and welcoming for everyone —especially those who don’t feel like they belong. 

It’s a feeling that so many queer people have experienced, and that feeling is the reason I have been with the company since October of 2019.There is an energy that always feels comfortable and accepting —like a family. I have had the honor to watch this company grow immensely in such a short time and have been impressed with how much they’ve been motivated to educate themselves from the inside so that the content and work they put out can better represent the world we live in.  

What does Pride mean to you? 

It’s been about 5 years since I started celebrating Pride. I found Pride so intriguing, but I didn’t think I would fit in with the crowd, especially when I first came out. I would go to the parade in New York and party with my friends and then wake up the next morning like it was any other day. 

It wasn’t until even more recently that I began recognizing the power my identity and voice has in this community and in the world. While I think it’s an absolute blast to bop around the queer neighborhoods in NYC and drink a few too many frozen margaritas, it’s even more of a blast to own your true identity and understand that there is a tragic, but powerful history behind our stories. Pride is a time to learn more, liberate, and let your voice be heard by the people who, to this day, continue to instill silence. Be proud, don't stop fighting for queer liberation, and if you see me out in Hell’s Kitchen dancing the night away with a frozen margarita, come say hi! 

Ignacio Maldonado, P.volve Chicago Studio Coordinator  

What does being a part of the P.volve community mean to you?  

This may sound sappy, but being a part of the P.volve community reminds me of that Zen Shin quote, "a flower does not compete with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” When you’re working out with P.volve, you are doing your best, not someone else’s. You’re simply growing stronger in your own body and doing your best to “bloom” for yourself. It means a lot to me to have that kind of atmosphere in a fitness studio. Every class I take with the P.volve community feels like an act of self-love. 

What does Pride mean to you?   

Pride, to me, means inclusivity and acceptance. It’s about just being able to show up as yourself, day in and day out, without having to explain yourself. It’s about being fully accepted and loved by those around you.  

How can your community and allies best show up for you?  

Ask questions, listen with open hearts and minds, be tender, and remember that there is not much that separates me from you. We just need to find ways to see the connections we share instead of our differences 

Looking for more ways to help us support the LGBTQ+ community for Pride month? Click here to sign up for Move with Pride on June 26, our all-day fundraising event in the Live Virtual Studio. All proceeds will benefit the Stonewall Community Foundation. 

Want to share your story with the P.volve community? Reach out to community@pvolve.com.