We recently connected with Brooke Tonnesen and have shared our conversation below.

Brooke, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Walk Fusion, one thing that sets us apart from the industry standard is the community we’ve built and the completely original movement experience we offer. While we do have a variety of classes—including strength and HIIT—our treadmill dance workouts are something you won’t find at any other studio. They were created here, and they started here.

We’ve taken something simple—walking—and turned it into a fun, expressive, full-body experience by adding upper-body choreography, great music, and a contagious group energy. But what truly makes Walk Fusion different is our approach to movement and our culture around it.

We don’t talk about “working out” in the traditional sense, because that can put a lot of pressure on people. Instead, we encourage everyone to just come move their body and have fun. And in our community, that’s enough. We don’t talk about what you should eat, wear, or lift. There’s no judgment—just encouragement. The fact that you got up, showed up, and made time for yourself is worth celebrating.

One member told me, “This is the first place I’ve ever moved my body without feeling like I was being judged.” That’s exactly what Walk Fusion is about—joyful movement, real connection, and a community that lifts each other up.

Brooke, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Brooke, the founder and owner of Walk Fusion, a women-only fitness studio rooted in movement, joy, and community. I created Walk Fusion because I wanted to reimagine what fitness could feel like—something fun, expressive, and free of pressure.

The idea was born during one of the hardest times in my life. My cat, Zeus, became seriously ill and was diagnosed with intestinal small cell lymphoma along with stage four kidney disease and other complications. I was told he didn’t have much time, so I stayed home with him 24/7 to soak up every moment. During that time, I wasn’t working out, I wasn’t leaving the house, and I was carrying a lot of emotional weight.

One day, I bought a walking pad, placed it in front of the mirror, put on music, and just started walking. I didn’t expect much—but for the first time in weeks, I felt joy. In the middle of so much sadness, that simple movement made me feel alive again. It didn’t feel like “working out.” It felt healing, fun, and empowering. And that was the moment I knew I had to bring this to other women.

That experience became the foundation of Walk Fusion’s treadmill dance workouts—a format that literally didn’t exist until I created it. We took the everyday act of walking and turned it into something expressive and energizing, layered with music, choreography, and community.

Today, Walk Fusion offers a variety of group classes including treadmill dance, HIIT, and sculpt. But what sets us apart isn’t just the workouts—it’s the community we’ve built. We don’t believe in pressure, diet talk, or comparison. We don’t care what you wear or how much you lift. We care that you showed up. And we celebrate that every time.

I’m most proud of the way women walk into our space and feel instantly welcome—no judgment, no expectations. Just support, movement, and joy. If you’re just discovering us, I want you to know this: You don’t need to be a dancer or look a certain way. You just need to show up—and we’ll meet you with open arms (and probably a really good playlist).

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Honestly, I think what helped me build my reputation is that I’ve always just shown up as myself. I never tried to be a certain version of a fitness instructor or studio owner. I didn’t try to fit a mold. I’ve always believed that if people connected with the real me, great—and if they didn’t, that’s okay too. But most of the time, people did. Because what they were connecting with was realness.

When someone walks into Walk Fusion, I don’t want them to think, “Oh, that’s the instructor” or “That’s the owner.” I want them to feel like they’re just talking to another woman—because that’s exactly what I am. I struggle with the same things they do: body image, self-confidence, motivation. There are mornings I don’t feel like moving my body either. But I do it because I know how much better I feel when I do—and I know they’ll feel it too.

What I think people appreciate is that I don’t pretend to have it all together. I have bad days, I get overwhelmed, and honestly, I need Walk Fusion just as much—maybe even more—than my clients do. This studio helps me move through life, and I think that truth is what people have connected with most. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up as you are—and knowing that that’s enough.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One part of my journey that really illustrates my resilience is the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into running Walk Fusion. People often only see the one-hour class, but what they don’t see is the 10 to 15 hours of work that goes into choreographing, curating music, editing, and making sure every class is just right.

I can teach over 10 classes a week, so even when I’m not on the treadmill, I’m constantly creating and preparing. But being a business owner means everything is on my plate—not just the workouts or the choreography, but all the little details too. Cleaning the floors, emptying the garbage, changing lightbulbs—these tasks pile up and can feel overwhelming when there’s already so much to manage.

On top of that, I’m caring for my cat, Zeus, who’s very sick. He needs chemo every two days and takes steroids and blood thinners daily. He has to eat every hour and a half or he’ll get sick. He’s also deaf and partially blind, so he relies on me for company and care, almost like a child. After every Walk Fusion class, I go straight home to care for him. Balancing all of this is exhausting, but I push through every day.

There are times I’m running on just a couple of hours of sleep, and there have been moments when I’ve wanted to cancel class because I’m sore or just plain tired. But I still show up with a smile because it’s so important to me that everyone leaves feeling positive and supported.

I work out alongside my clients in every class because I want them to see the real me—someone who struggles, who gets tired, but still shows up. This resilience is about showing up day after day, giving my all, and creating a community where women feel seen, supported, and inspired. That commitment is what keeps Walk Fusion thriving, even on the toughest days.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Walkfusionpj.com
• Instagram: Walk.Fusion
• Facebook: Walk Fusion
• Other: TikTok: WalkFusion