Our Story

Welly was created to inspire, motivate and

encourage others by action.

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Hi, I’m Tanja Akerman, founder and instructor of Welly Academy.

I started Welly in 2017 after leaving an insurance career that no longer felt fulfilling.

I had spent a lot of time showing up for other people while ignoring my own health,

and I knew something had to change.

I didn’t have a perfect plan. I simply started moving.

I started a walking group through the CRD, and that simple step introduced me to the power

of movement, connection and community.

What I discovered was pretty amazing: my energy increased, I was happier, and I started showing up

for myself. Fitness became about so much more than exercise. It became about strength, confidence,

listening to my body and taking care of myself.

And I wanted to share that feeling with others.

 

Welly has evolved

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Over the years, we’ve taught in studios, online and community spaces.

We navigated COVID with Facebook workouts, opened our own studio afterward, changed schedules

more times than I can count, and tried lots of different ways to keep people moving.

And now we’re back at All Saints by the Sea, which feels a little like coming full circle.

We’re offering strength, mobility, balance, Pilates, workshops, online training —

and even bringing a little barre back, just like when Welly began.

Welly also has a new chapter that I’m especially excited about: Maureen Zentner

has joined us as our first-ever Welly instructor.

Having Maureen on board means Welly can grow beyond what I can do on my own.

It gives me the opportunity to take a day off, create more programs and bring new energy and

ideas to Welly.

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Perfectly imperfect.

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One thing I’ve learned over the years is that change is inevitable.

Our lives change. Our bodies change. Our schedules change. And Welly changes right along with them.

That’s why Welly is about real-life movement for real life. You’ll see real people, real movement and

real modifications in our videos. No fancy editing. No expectation of perfection.

Just showing up, moving your body and taking care of yourself.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of Welly’s journey —

whether you joined us in 2017, during COVID, at our studio, online or in this newest chapter at All Saints.

We’re still moving forward.

Perfectly imperfect. Always evolving. And always moving.

— Tanja