We recently connected with Liz Parsons and have shared our conversation below.

Liz, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Motivating Movement was born from the belief that fitness should be accessible, empowering, and free from perfectionism. After spending years in the entertainment industry as an actress and performer, I experienced firsthand how movement could be a source of both joy and pressure. That experience shaped my approach to fitness—not as a means to “fix” yourself, but as a way to celebrate, strengthen, and nurture the body and mind you already have.

When I transitioned into the fitness industry nearly a decade ago, I quickly noticed a troubling trend: boutique fitness studios were becoming increasingly expensive and elitist, making them inaccessible to many. I knew that movement shouldn’t be reserved for the wealthy—it should be available to everyone, at all stages of life. Women, in particular, often face barriers to fitness, whether it’s affordability, lack of time, or, for postpartum mothers, the challenge of finding childcare just to attend an in-person class. Motivating Movement was created to bridge that gap, offering high-quality, boutique-style online workouts that fit into real lives.

My classes combine strength, small-range isometrics, cardio bursts, and mindfulness, creating a full-body experience that encourages both physical endurance and inner balance. More importantly, they are rooted in a philosophy of compassion—letting go of perfection and embracing movement as an act of self-care.

My greatest hope is that when you finish a class, you feel stronger, more present, and a little more whole than when you first pressed play.

Liz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Of course! My name is Liz Parsons, and I am the owner and founder of Motivating Movement, an online fitness platform designed to make high-quality, boutique-style fitness accessible to everyone. My journey into fitness began in the world of theatre, dance, and the performing arts. As a SAG-AFTRA/AEA performer and voiceover artist, I had the privilege of performing at renowned venues like The Kennedy Center, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, and The Shakespeare Theatre Company. My career also included numerous commercials, TV appearances, and pilots.

After making the choice to step back from the entertainment industry to focus on my children, I found a new passion in fitness. I became a certified barre instructor and spent nearly a decade teaching at a high-end studio near my home. But over time, I noticed a major gap in the industry—boutique fitness was becoming increasingly expensive, making it inaccessible to many, especially women at different stages of life. I saw how postpartum mothers struggled to find childcare just to attend a class, and how others were priced out of high-quality fitness experiences, or didn’t feel comfortable in a group fitness setting. I knew there had to be a better way.

I created Motivating Movement—an online platform that delivers full-body, mat-based workouts combining strength, small-range isometrics, cardio bursts, and mindfulness, all in the comfort of your own home. My approach is rooted in what I like to call “compassionate fitness”, meaning my classes aren’t about perfection or “fixing” you. Instead, they are about honoring where you are in the given moment, moving with intention, and building strength from the inside out.

My goal is for every client that finishes one of my classes, to not only be dripping in sweat, but to feel stronger, more present, and more connected to themselves than when they first pressed play.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve pivoted many times in my career, and if you had told me years ago—when I was an up-and-coming actress—that I would one day become a fitness instructor and own my own fitness business, I would have laughed and told you that you were crazy.

But life has a way of reshaping our paths in unexpected ways. When I became a mother, everything changed. I wanted to be a present and involved parent, and the entertainment industry made that intention incredibly difficult. I had reached a peak in my acting career when I made the choice to step away. I don’t regret it for a second—but it wasn’t always easy. Parenthood is the most rewarding, incredible, and challenging job of my life, but I found myself needing something more. I no longer felt at home in my body, and I needed movement—not just for my physical health, but to rediscover myself, my confidence, and my light beyond just being “mom.”

That’s when I turned to fitness. I found an incredible boutique barre studio near my home and quickly fell in love with the way movement made me feel again. I became a certified instructor and spent nearly a decade teaching. Then, the pandemic hit. Like many others in the industry, I adapted, teaching livestream classes to keep my clients moving and connected. What I didn’t expect was how much I would love the reach and accessibility of this format—it allowed people to experience high-quality fitness on their terms, without the barriers of cost, location, or life circumstances.

Two years after returning to in-person teaching, another major shift happened. The owner of the studio I had loved and worked at for years sold the business, new management came in, and live-streamed classes were canceled. But I knew the need was still there. My online clients were devastated—they had built fitness into their lives in a way that finally worked for them, and now, it was being taken away. That was my moment of clarity.

Instead of seeing it as an ending, I saw it as an opportunity. I decided to create Motivating Movement, my own online fitness platform, built on the belief that boutique-style fitness should be accessible to everyone. What started as a pivot to find myself after stepping away from entertainment has turned into a mission—to provide a space where movement is about strength, self-compassion, and empowerment, no matter where you are in life.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media has been—and continues to be—a learning process for me. I’m nowhere near where I want to be, and it is honestly very frustrating at times. I try to maintain a growth mindset with social and, as best as I can, embrace the roller coaster journey; trying all sorts of tactics along the way.

When I first started, I wasn’t focused on growing a fitness business—I was building a personal brand. I shared my life, stories, and experiences, creating an authentic connection with my audience. When I launched Motivating Movement, I didn’t start from scratch. Instead, I introduced the company onto my existing social media platform, naturally weaving it into the content my followers were already engaged with. Those who resonated with my fitness philosophy and offerings converted over, creating a strong foundation of engaged followers.

Beyond that, I took the time to study the industry. I researched companies within my niche—especially those I respected—and analyzed what was working (and what wasn’t) for them. This became my own form of market research, helping me understand trends, engagement strategies, and how to create content that resonates with my audience while staying true to my brand.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my biggest advice is: be patient, be consistent, and be you. Growth takes time, but authenticity is what keeps people coming back. As best as you can, try not to compare yourself with the influencers of your niche or business. Focus on what makes you unique and don’t travel down the rabbit hole of comparison. Don’t be afraid to test different content formats, analyze what works, and pivot when necessary. Most importantly, engage with your audience—respond to comments, start conversations, and build a community rather than just chasing numbers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.motivatingmovement.com
• Instagram: @motivatingmovement
• Youtube: @MotivatingMovementLLC

Image Credits

Image credit: Theresa Regan Photography