Kara Duval

WHY DID YOU BECOME A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR?

I’m a former ballet dancer (Boston Ballet School, graduated with a BFA in Classical Ballet from Texas Christian University), so I have always been obsessed with moving! After giving up ballet, I knew it was going to be IMPOSSIBLE for me to sit a desk- job, so I went up to Toronto and completed my Stott Pilates Certification from Merrithew Health and Fitness.

FAVORITE GO-TO PUMP UP SONG?

This is the hardest question of all time. My friend Meg Kennedy, a fellow C2 instructor, and I send each other music all day long…we are both Spotify junkies. I’m a huge fan of deep house music so I would say my current favorite is Nothing You Can Say by Lane 8.

FIRST GROUP FITNESS CLASS?

Don’t quote me on this, but I believe it was Smart Barre in Fort Worth, TX.

FAVORITE MOVIE?

I’m going to go with Waking Ned Devine or Legends of the Fall.

FIRST JOB?

I was a hostess at Port 305 in Marina Bay, during high school.

HOMETOWN?

Quincy, MA.

FAVORITE JUNK FOOD?

Original Cheez It’s

FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

The Butcher Shop! Actually … anything by Barbara Lynch. I am a total foodie, so I could go on and on … I’m going to throw Metropolis, Drink, Number 9 Park, and Coppa on that list too.

GO-TO WEEKDAY MEAL?

If it’s a heavy class day, my favorite is quinoa pasta with roasted zucchini, garlic, and nutritional yeast.

PERFECT SUNDAY AFTERNOON?

If I’m not working, I love to go to brunch with my girlfriends, hang out with my parents at their home in Vermont, or just lay around and watch Game of Thrones with my sister.

FAVORITE WORKOUT GEAR?

Where do I begin? My best friend and I (I see you, Mary Evan) have recently become OBSESSED with Outdoor Voices. I’m the Queen of Crop Tops, so my favorite brands are Outdoor Voices, Onzie, Teeki, and Olympia Activewear. Athleisure is a lifestyle.

WON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. I love to take good care of my skin!

GUILTY PLEASURE?

Easy: watching Netflix with breakfast in bed (always have almond butter) after my morning classes.

FAVORITE PLACE TO SWEAT WHEN YOU AREN’T TEACHING?

I have two! Everybody Fights at the Club at George Foreman (shout out to Bags and Beats with Chris DaVeiga and Kick It by Eliza with Eliza Shirazi) and Soul Cycle with Sara Silk and Erin Lindsay.

IN TEN YEARS I WILL BE _____?

Running my own studio in Boston, sharing my passion for Pilates, barre and kickboxing with the Boston community. Hopefully, I’ll still have as much energy as I do now! I also hope to travel the world by that point too.

TIMES OF DAY YOU CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA?

I often find myself opening up Snapchat and Instagram without ACTUALLY tuning in to what is on it. But on average, I’d say around 10 times. Yikes.

HAVE TOO MUCH OF?

Energy…..and hunger.

MORE ESSENTIAL, WATER OR COFFEE?

Water.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?

Cabo (thanks Mom and Dad)

GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?My lovely clients. There’s zero chance I could wake up at 430 am every morning if I didn’t have the support and love they show me.

IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Anna Wintour.

CELEBRITY YOU’D MOST LIKE TO MEET?

Meryl Streep or Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa).

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I have the most supportive parents in the world and I could not have gotten to where I am without them, and I remind myself of that every day. My friend Stephanie Morrissey of Wildly Nourished is the most amazing young business owner I have ever met. I could not physically survive my schedule without her nourishing food, and her energy and spirit drive me to want to become a better human.