Julie Smith

Julie Brunner Smith found Pilates while struggling with decades-old equestrian injuries. She found that Pilates not only healed her broken body, but changed her outlook and reduced stress levels.

After many successful years in technology and financial service sales, she transitioned her knack for understanding the needs of others to the wellness community. Eventually opening Barre Up! in Raleigh in 2013. Creating her studio from scratch, in a community still in the throes of recession, she literally started without a single client, only the belief that "she could do this better." Barre Up was recently voted "Best Pilates/Yoga Studio" in Raleigh by its devoted clients.

Julie channels her life experience as an athlete, single parent, working mother, and business leader into an empathetic understanding of the goals and motivations within her clients and friends, daring them to create their best selves. She thrives on the success of others, and genuinely believes that through supporting others, we grow ourselves.