As a locally owned fitness studio, we talk a lot about strength—physical strength, mental strength, showing up for yourself. But what’s become really clear to me over time is that the strongest thing we can do is show up for each other.

At Club Pilates Des Moines, we’ve had so many conversations with members about heart health—parents, spouses, friends, even personal experiences. This isn’t a distant issue. It’s sitting right here in our community.

That’s why we chose to support the American Heart Association.

And what I love about their work—especially here in Central Iowa—is that it goes far beyond awareness.

They’re in our communities every day:

• Partnering with local food pantries to improve access to heart-healthy foods for families facing food insecurity (www.heart.org)

• Showing up in community spaces like libraries and local gathering spots to provide education and resources around blood pressure and prevention (www.heart.org)

• Training people—right here in Des Moines—in lifesaving CPR, because in those critical moments, it’s often a bystander who makes the difference (American Heart Association)

• Bringing CPR training into schools and communities to build an entire network of everyday lifesavers (www.heart.org)

And here’s the reality we can’t ignore:
9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die.
In many cases, it’s because no one nearby knew how to help.

But that’s something we can change.

This is why the Heart Walk matters. It’s not just a fundraiser—it’s how we bring more education, more resources, and more lifesaving skills into the places we live, work, and raise our families.

On June 6, our team will be walking in the Central Iowa Heart Walk—and I’m inviting you to be part of it.

I’m walking for our members.
For your families.
For the moments we never see coming.

I walk to save lives.

If this community means something to you—and I know it does—I’d love for you to join us. Walk with us, donate, or help us spread the word.

Because together, we’re not just building stronger bodies.
We’re building a community that’s ready to step in when it matters most.