our why
welcome to 601 e. pine st.
in re-opening this space (formerly burncycle seattle), we weren't looking to build just another fitness studio in seattle.our goal is to co-create a new type of movement community in seattle and beyond. founded & led by jen bunder and co-created with a brilliant and experienced team aligned with the vision in this beautiful 3600 sq ft studio + locker rooms on capitol hill. we know that vulnerability & kindness are the root of trust. trust is where growth & possibility can bloom.
so who the heck is…
jen bunder
a former nurse turned community & wellness entrepreneur, jen’s belief is that everyone deserves to find movement they feel safe in & have tools to experience our own wellness.
originally from cleveland, oh, jen has spent the last 10 years building a community in seattle. seeing the opportunity as “preventative medicine”, she left a successful yet burnout inducing career as an operating room nurse at 27 working in fitness communities throughout seattle gaining experience in membership value, successful company culture, and community impact. throughout her life, movement was often a tool towards her overall wellness and something she has immense gratitude for having access to. continuously inspired and encouraged by the genuine communities and entrepreneurs she has worked with over the years, she will be the first to tell you she never thought her own studio was in the cards.
in 2022, she completed a year of grad school studying psychology thinking she would become a therapist as she continue seeking opportunities to serve and help people find tools to their own wellness. her focus during this time regularly centered on understanding our own self worth & the impact of grief. jen’s experience in building community does not stop at fitness, but you’ll have to ask her about her grief group & ted lasso community another day. seeing the deep need for in person connection in her community & the fitness industry in general, she put her education on pause to pursue the opportunity of opening be here now in 2023.
be here now launched it’s story to the world on october 24th, 2023 & opened our doors to the community with classes 7 days a week beginning december 9th that same year. jen does not take the responsibility of leading and co-creating a movement-based community space lightly. she knows it is only possible in collaboration with vibrant, like-minded humans on her team who share the vision and a community with whom we build trust.
it was never really just about the bikes for jen (though indoor cycling holds a big spot in her heart), it is about seeing people find their own wellness, deeper presence, and all the ways we can experience the most of our time here. oh ya, she doesn’t mind if we put an end to the “seattle freeze” along the way.
a scorpio sun, aries rising, and cancer moon, she is not one for small talk & believes in the power of our imagination. whether in the studio or online, her hopes are to keep it honest, hopeful, and grateful for the opportunity.
