LMP member spotlight: Leanna Stoufer
I’m very honoured to introduce you to LMP member, Leanna Stoufer, who shares so authentically and vulnerably with us in this interview. Leanna logs on almost every day to LMP, including on days when she volunteers in Ukraine. Alongside her full-time work as a victim advocate supporting trauma recovery, Leanna maintains a zest for life that is truly inspiring. Her story is a beautiful reminder of how mindful movement can sustain us through life’s biggest challenges.
“Volunteering in a war zone (not that I am at the front lines, of course), along with hoisting my suitcase, jumping in and out of trains, planes, and vans made me excited to take Pilates more seriously so I would be up to the challenges. ”
Where are you based?
I live in a little apartment in Denver, Colorado.
How did you discover Pilates?
I was in two fairly bad car accidents in 2014 (both involved other cars running into me). I was lucky, I escaped with fairly mild injuries, but the first one did a number on my hips and shoulder. I was able to see a massage therapist, Lisa, for a while. Over time, I learned that she also was a Pilates teacher. I started doing a little bit of Pilates and liked it, but I just dabbled a bit with it.
Then, near the end of 2020 I had to have both hips replaced. The surgeon was excellent, but there was no real physical therapy offered afterward. I was told to walk (which I already did quite a bit – I live car-free), but nothing more. I started working with Lisa when I could, to strengthen my core and gain stability.
Even just doing a small range of Pilates exercises for just a few minutes each day started making a noticeable difference. I started feeling stronger, my hips started feeling a little more stable, my posture improved, and I have far less pain from my arthritis. I started finding a lot of mental health benefits with my little daily practice too!
I work full time as a victim advocate/legal advocate serving survivors or intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. I love the work I get to do, and I have given attention to taking good care of myself so I can be present and healthy. (I learned much about this through healing from my own series of violent and traumatic situations in the past). I just turned 63, so I also want to do those things that help give me energy!
In 2022-23 I volunteered in Moldova, and then in 2024 I finally found a place to volunteer within Ukraine, providing trauma support and education to civilians in villages there. Volunteering in a war zone (not that I am at the front lines, of course), along with hoisting my suitcase, jumping in and out of trains, planes, and vans made me excited to take Pilates more seriously so I would be up to the challenges.
What’s your favourite class on the LMP platform?
I don’t have just one. I love the “Powerful Abs and Obliques,” “30-Minutes with Magic Circle,” “Slow Burn Abs and Barre,” “Slow Burn Practice with Small Ball.” Those are my top favorites right now. I definitely like the fiery ones that challenge my core (and my body overall). I have to modify a few things to accommodate my hips, but since I usually just have 15-20 minutes in the morning, I really want to work hard in that time.
Do you have a daily non negotiable or self care habit?
Acknowledging what is good and beautiful around me – nurturing wonder and gratitude, and my morning routine with a short meditation and my Pilates workout.
And for the important stuff - what is your favourite food or do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share with us?
I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian (for 30+ years) and I cannot eat any grains due to allergies. My favorite lunch is plain Greek yogurt with either a little honey and some cinnamon, or with a little vanilla and turbinado sugar. I love grilled veggies (especially mushrooms). And I love berries of all kinds!
Are you working on anything personally or professionally at the moment?
My work is always busy, and I get to work with a small, but mighty, team. I love getting to provide direct services, and I also enjoy helping my newer team members gain confidence in their skills.
My next volunteer deployment in Ukraine will start at the end of August. It will be my fifth time volunteering. I also signed up to return next March.
I am currently learning the Ukrainian language, so I can chat more with friends there. It is coming along slowly, but it is coming along. I love how it stretches my mind!
And, I knit! Knitting and reading, are my happy places. I am currently working on some color work arm warmers for a friend in Kyiv (the photo is a pair I made for another friend).
Are you reading anything at the moment?
I am reading Sofi Oksanen’s Same River Twice. And I have also been reading a collection of Antoine Du Saint Exupery’s letters (I do love The Little Prince). I usually have multiple books going at any one time.
Do you have any advice that has impacted you and that you’d like to share?
I initially placed a quote here which was objectively inspiring, though it didn’t quite speak to me. Upon further reflection, I wanted to answer more honestly. If there’s one principle I return to, it’s this: live healthily, because health is wealth.
At the moment, I’m managing piriformis syndrome and sciatica, a long, often frustrating journey. It’s deepened my understanding of how precious wellbeing truly is. I often remind the people around me that nothing matters more than your health.
So to those of you reading, here’s a gentle nudge: take a step back. Breathe. Do one small thing today to tend to your body, your mind, or your spirit. That care is never wasted.
“My heart is filled through cultivating child-like wonder and stopping (even for a moment) to acknowledge the bits of beauty and connection that surrounds me. Because of the trauma I’ve experienced, and the work I do which deals with some of the worst of what humans can do to each other, looking for wonder and beauty in the world is very important. ”
Check out previous Member Spotlights here.