Lindsay Carthen is such a joy to have in our studio. She makes a point to come whenever she can, and she brings her sweet kids to share with us! This busy mom creates space for herself and it’s so admirable to see someone who recognizes the importance of self-care. If you see her around the studio, introduce yourself! She’s a ray of sunshine!

Tell us a little about yourself…

My name is Lindsay (Minnear) Carthen, and I was raised a Yankee from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But, I’ll tell people I am a naturally born Southerner from Charleston, South Carolina :).

God has blessed me beyond measure and given me my wonderful husband Nick and three beautiful children. Although I am a Physical Therapist by trade, I’m first and foremost a wife and mother.

As a family, we love to fly out to see our immediate family in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida every year. We also love visit with friends on the weekends and laugh, giggle, dance, and snuggle till the sun goes down.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Free time?? What is that??? LOL.

My day starts at 4 am. I get ready for bed and then feed and dress my eight month old son and (almost) three year old daughter. My baby boy, Callen, is happy and super chill. And, my daughter, Eliana, is beautiful, crazy, and independent. I drop them off at daycare by 6:30 and begin treating my first patient by 7 am. I put in a 9-10 hour work day then head back to daycare to do it all over again.

Luckily, I don’t do it all myself because I have been truly blessed with a wonderful husband of 6 years. He helps me balance work and family by being an amazing, hands-on father.

So…in my “free-time”, I attend Pilates 2-3 times per week to keep sane. But, let’s be honest, my family is my life and truly enjoy spending as much time as I can with them.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? 🙂

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – Hands down!

But, when I was 16 years old my Dad took me to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cone. A huge sign said “Happy Birthday to the Blizzard”. The more I read the sign I found out that the first blizzard was made not only on my birthday (March 29th), but the same year I was born! (You are dreaming if you think I am going to tell you the year LOL)!!! How cool is that? So every year since I was 16 years old, I have gone to Dairy Queen to get my BIRTHDAY BLIZZARD and I always get a Cookies and Cream Blizzard – because that was the first flavor of blizzard they made.

Do you have an interesting fact you’d like to share?

I went to Penn State University and played for the PSU Women’s Rugby team. My senior year we won the National Championship against Stanford! I have a ring and everything – it was an amazing experience.

What brought you to Vessel Pilates and how did it stand out to you?

Following a premature delivery, I decided that running was not the best type of exercise for me. I also wanted to prevent early osteoarthritis development in my knees, so in 2019 I decided to try Pilates. I began at Club Pilates in Kingwood.

In early 2019, I became pregnant but continued to exercise since Pilates is a very safe form of exercise during pregnancy. I met Jennifer (instructor) at Club Pilates who introduced me to Jessica (the owner of Vessel). Jessica told me about the Pilates studio she was building from the ground up and her love for Pilates and passion for pre and postnatal education. As soon as my contract expired with Club Pilates, I hauled my pregnant self to Vessel. Jessica welcomed me with open arms and helped keep me safe throughout my second and third pregnancy.  I was able to participate in Pilates up to the very end of both pregnancies. 🙂

How long have you been going to Vessel?

I have been a member of Vessel since June 2019.

If you were to describe our studio to someone who had never heard of it, what would you say?

It’s an extended family!!!

Due to work and family, I am only able to attend in the evenings at 7 pm and Saturday mornings at 9 am. I have been going to Vessel for so long and have made great friends, so if I don’t attend people begin to notice and worry.

Also, the talented and genuine instructors take an interest in their clients and know their personal strengths and weaknesses and will modify workouts to challenge each person safely. I really appreciate the challenges because I naturally push myself when it comes to exercising. And, let’s be honest, that is why we take group fitness classes, so we can pay someone to kick our butts!