Balance

Art has the power to change the way we experience a space. Laine’s work does this.

This featured work by Sarasota artist Laine Nixon, Zuhanden 23 (2025), combines acrylic paint and copper leaf in a composition that invites viewers to slow down and look a little longer.

Throughout the day, the copper leaf catches and reflects light, creating subtle shifts in the way the piece is experienced.

Laine’s work is non-objective, focusing on color, harmony, perspective, and the visual experience itself rather than depicting a specific subject or story.

As Laine explains:

“My intent is to provide an opportunity for a change in vantage point.”

We’re honored to feature her work in our space, where creativity, movement, and environment come together to shape the experience of Balance.

Art has a way of changing the energy of a space.

Beginning June 29, Balance will welcome a new collection of work by Sarasota artist Karen Chandler, known for her vibrant color, bold contemporary imagery, and unmistakable visual style.

Karen’s work has appeared everywhere from major publishing houses, including Random House and Simon & Schuster, to institutions such as the Kennedy Space Center and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Closer to home, she’s also the creator of Sarasota’s beloved Sarasota Heroes mural.

What we love most is her ability to create pieces that stop you in your tracks. Her work invites a second look, sparks curiosity, and brings a sense of energy, creativity, and playfulness to the environment.

We’re installing the collection this Friday and can’t wait to share it with you throughout the space.

As Karen says:

“Every painting should make you stop and look twice.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Art is best experienced in person.

Stronger for what matters most.

This is Jessie McHugh and her beautiful family.

Every day, Jessie’s a professional. A wife. A mom. A friend people call when things get hard. And somehow, she makes it all look effortless.

Backyard games and bedtime giggles. Date nights with her husband. Family adventures. Keeping up with two kids who never run out of energy!

This is what matters most to her. And it’s why strength and wellness matter, too.

Every workout. Every healthy choice. Every bit of effort she puts into herself comes back as energy to show up fully for the people and moments that make life meaningful.

The work we put in today makes more of these moments possible tomorrow. 💙

What’s the “why” behind your strength? Tag someone who inspires you. 💪



📸 Original Photo: Annelise Adams I Florida Photographer

BETWEEN THE SETS

Strength is built during the workout.

Community is built in the moments around it.

The conversations before a session begins. The encouragement after it ends. The shared experiences that bring people together.

At Balance, people from different backgrounds and walks of life gather around a common pursuit: moving better, feeling better, and hopefully having some fun doing it!

This photo captures one of those moments.

Stephen Windsor, a former professional ballet dancer and now a real estate advisor with Salaverri Windsor Group, and Madison Barnes, a Balance personal trainer, dance teacher, and former Broadway performer, are demonstrating the strength, balance, and trust that are at the heart of great dance.

We’re not saying Balance should start a dance company.

But we’re not not saying it either!

A reminder that what makes a space special isn’t just the equipment or the training. It’s the people.

Some of the best moments happen between the sets!

Summer of Strength - Stronger for Fun

Strength isn’t just about workouts.

It’s about saying yes to the things you enjoy.

A round of golf. A day on the boat. Playing pickleball with friends. Chasing grandchildren around the yard. Taking a bike ride. Exploring somewhere new.

When you’re stronger, life feels easier. You move with more confidence, have more energy, and spend less time thinking about what your body can’t do.

At Balance, we help people build strength for the moments that make life enjoyable.

Because sometimes the best reason to get stronger is simple:

To keep doing the things you love.

What do you do for fun that strength helps you enjoy?

Photo: Trainer, Jennifer Mogensen, and family

Art of Balance: Zach Gilliland

At Balance, movement and creativity share the same space.

This spotlight features sculptor Zach Gilliland, whose piece Azul Reef is currently on display at Balance.

A former Air Force veteran and NCAA soccer player, Zach has called Sarasota home since 2009. In his studio, he is constantly experimenting with new forms, materials, and ideas. He incorporates scraps and disregarded materials into his work, giving new life to materials that already carry their own history and energy.

His creative process involves building, refining, taking apart, and rebuilding until a piece reveals what is essential. The result is work that may appear simple at first glance, but invites closer inspection and sparks curiosity.

As Zach explains:

“The ultimate goal is to pull the viewer in from a distance, keep them looking up close, and then leave them wondering when they turn away.”

That spirit of curiosity and discovery is one of the reasons we are proud to feature Azul Reef at Balance. The piece invites us to slow down, look closer, and see something new each time we return to it.

Thank you, Zach, for sharing your work with our community!

Come experience Azul Reef in person at Balance.

This series highlights the people who help shape the experience at Balance every day.

Meet Simon Morley.

Simon is a former All-American swimmer and has coached athletes to World Championship medals, but what stands out most isn’t his resume. It’s the way he works with people.

His coaching style is direct, honest, and deeply invested in the success of his clients.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat things. I’ll tell you what you need to hear. But I’m also going to be your biggest cheerleader.”

Simon believes no two clients are the same, so no two programs should be the same. Whether someone is focused on strength, healthy aging, athletic performance, or simply feeling better in everyday life, his approach is built around the individual.

He also believes training should improve more than what happens in the gym.

The goal is better movement. Better health. More confidence. More energy for the things that matter most.

And perhaps most importantly, accountability.

Because real change doesn’t happen from what we do occasionally. It happens from what we do consistently.

At Balance, Simon is known for creating an environment that is supportive, encouraging, and focused on long-term success.

Specialties
• Strength Training
• Functional Training
• Aquatic Training
• Active Aging

Certifications
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• NPTA Certified

Train consistently. Be accountable. Change everything.

Summer of Strength: Stronger for Sports

Whether you’re chasing a ball, running a race, stepping onto a court, or simply trying to perform your best, strength is the foundation.

Strength training helps you move more efficiently, develop power, improve balance and coordination, and build resilience against injury. Just as importantly, it builds confidence that carries into every practice, game, and competition.

At Balance, we work with athletes of all ages and experience levels. Our focus is not just on improving performance today, but on creating a foundation for long-term health, movement, and success.

Because the goal isn’t just to play the sport, it’s to be strong enough to enjoy it for years to come.

Whether you’re preparing for a season, a race, or simply an active life, we’re here to help.

Can you spot the Balance trainers and clients in this photo?!

TrainForLife

Stronger for Travel

The best trips don’t happen by accident.

They happen when you have the strength, energy, balance, and confidence to fully experience them.

Whether it’s navigating airports, walking unfamiliar cities, hiking mountain trails, carrying luggage, or simply keeping up with the pace of adventure, staying active helps make travel easier and more enjoyable.

Train for the places you want to go.
Train for the experiences you want to have.
Train for the adventures ahead.

Because strength isn’t just for the gym; It’s for everywhere life takes you.

Pictured: Balance clients, Holly and Larry Shulman 💙

Art of Balance | Tom Stephens

Tom Stephens is one of several professional artists whose work is featured throughout Balance.

If you’ve spent time at Balance, you’ve likely seen Tom’s work. Several of his large- and small-scale paintings are displayed throughout the gym, bringing color, movement, and energy to the space.

A Sarasota-based artist and Ringling College of Art and Design graduate, Tom has been painting since he was 12 years old. His work is inspired by Florida’s coastal landscapes and marine environment, ranging from vibrant coastal scenes to expressive abstract paintings.

What we appreciate most is the way his artwork influences the experience of being here. Tom’s paintings help create an environment that feels creative, welcoming, and engaging. They add personality to the space and contribute to the atmosphere our clients experience every day.

In addition to his work as an artist, Tom is also a licensed charter boat captain and custom fishing rod builder, bringing the same creativity and craftsmanship to everything he does.

We’re proud to feature Tom’s work at Balance and grateful for the role it plays in making our space feel unique!