Rachel D. has been part of somofit since the day we opened. She grew up in Rohnert Park’s M section, went to Sonoma State, and met her husband there, who grew up in the same neighborhood. After stretches in New Jersey, Southern California for grad school and San Francisco, they decided to come home to raise their family.
“Growing up in sleepy Sonoma County, you don’t really realize how good you actually have it here until you leave. I don’t think we could ever leave here again.”
Rachel is a physical therapist and mom to Harvey, 4, and Penny, almost 1. Her friends call her persistent, kind and resilient, and her proudest accomplishment shows all three. She completed a physical therapy fellowship with 10-hour days of mentorship and an hour’s drive each way to Vallejo, all while pumping, working out and making time for her son.
“Since having my second child I’ve found more balance in my life and I am proud of that too.”
Rachel has wanted a gym within walking distance since she started working out at 16. When one opened a few blocks from home, there was nothing to decide.
“I knew I had to sign up immediately.”
Today, training is something she protects.
“Fitness is my escape, my mental health.”
Her reasons to keep going come from home and from work.
“My kids and also my patients show me every day how important it is to keep moving.”
And when she needs a push of her own, she looks to her best friend, the person who inspires her most.
Becoming a mom changed Rachel’s relationship with fitness.
“After my first, it was very hard to find workouts that felt ok for my changing body.”
The second time felt different. She kept training at somofit throughout her pregnancy with Penny.
“I was in the gym up until the day before I gave birth to Penny.”
Penny was born in August 2025. Rachel eased back into exercise four weeks later and was back in classes around eight weeks.
“It felt so awesome to finally be able to do classes again. I feel stronger than ever.”
Rachel is a morning mover, and a Hot Barre or Kömplex class is part of her ideal day off. She’s a fan of the whole coaching team, with a special nod to Conny.
“Conny of course pushes me to do what I think I cannot and I am so grateful for her.”
As a physical therapist, she takes something from class back to the clinic.
“I get a lot of motivation for my patients from the trainers at somofit. They are so knowledgeable and really know how to help you to work a muscle in a very effective way.”
If she could add one class to the schedule, it would be Cardio and Glutes.
“I need that heart rate increase with the fun heavy lifting.”
For Rachel, balance means “finding the time to have it all while not bending over backward for it.”
“Letting the small stuff go so that there’s more energy to spend on things that really matter.”
Her perfect day off starts with coffee, a pastry and something fun to read, then a Hot Barre or Kömplex class. After that comes an Oliver’s burrito and a drive to the beach for a long walk with her kids, husband and dog. Dinner is at a local spot on the way home, followed by sunset, a backyard fire and a glass of wine.
To Rachel, community is a “sense of feeling welcomed and included.” She finds it here every morning.
“Everyone here is so supportive, kind, encouraging, they say ‘good morning!’ and ‘have a great day!’ They always push me to be my strongest self.”
Rachel’s week runs on ’90s and 2000s throwbacks, country and upbeat pop. Taylor Swift, the Spice Girls and Lizzo are workout playlist regulars, and “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac never fails to lift her mood.
Recovery means the sauna and red light.
Asked to finish the sentence “To me, moving with purpose means…”, Rachel answered:
“Giving my immediate attention to the task while still keeping focus on my intention for the day.”
She brings it to the clinic, the gym floor and home alike: fully present with what’s in front of her, and clear on what matters most.
