Inspirational Speaker Natalie Kuhn On The Power Of Movement, Reflection, And Community
Welcome back to my interview series in which I ask inspiring humans living an energetic life to share a bit of their personal wellness world and demand that they also divulge a favourite recipe. This month: the inspiring force that is Natalie Kuhn, former Co-CEO of workout phenom The Class and founder of Make The Sun.
During the shelter-at-home period of the pandemic, many of us turned to our laptops to connect with friends, loved ones, and the larger community. That’s how I finally tried The Class, and, months later, found myself solidifying a friendship over some excellent wine and cheese in a New York City bistro.
My first introduction to The Class workout came from friends mentioning the notorious three minutes of burpees. But what finally motivated me to log in was the potential for a cathartic release and a deeper connection with my body—not just the promise of a sweaty workout. It was the words of instructor (and first employee) Natalie Kuhn that kept me coming back.
Today, those words are fueling a movement of her own.
Getting to know Natalie (and the wonderful people in her orbit) was one of the perks of my previous life as a marketing director, and collaborating on a project is what led us to that NYC bistro. The ease with which she flows from deep insights to raucous humor in everyday conversation, along with the extraordinary kindness and compassion she radiates—even through some tremendously dark times in her life—are endlessly inspiring to me.
I’m thrilled to share a glimpse into her world below.
Working with artists like David Byrne & Karen O and then playing an integral role in building The Class, your relationship with movement seems to have always been something beyond traditional fitness. Could you walk me through your journey from dance to workout phenomenon?
What a generous question—thank you, Elisa! Growing up in Los Angeles, I didn’t have much interest in movement or fitness. I think it was partly because of a pressure I sensed, even as a kid, that moving your body was all about looking a certain way—being ‘thin’ and fitting into a mold. I couldn’t have articulated it at the time, but looking back, I felt it from the parents at grade school, how they spoke, and how that influenced my classmates. It didn’t sit right with me, so I avoided it. I’d hide in the back when they were picking teams in PE and was always last when we had to ‘run the mile.’ In high school, a semester of dance was required, and I’ll never forget my teacher saying, “Natalie, let’s put it this way, you’re a mover, not a dancer.” So you can imagine everyone’s surprise—including mine—when my first job after graduating college with a degree in theater was as one of three dancers on David Byrne’s world tour!
Looking back, I think the reason I was chosen for that role—and why I spent over a decade with The Class—is that the connection I eventually fostered with movement was rooted in expression. For me, movement became meaningful when it was about using the body for exploration and artistry. Dancing for David, and later with Karen O, was about bringing music into shape and connecting rhythm to form for thousands of people. At The Class, it was about connecting to oneself and what’s alive in the body, beyond the mind. That’s what has really lit me up.
In our culture, though, there’s still so much pressure to move or exercise purely to achieve a certain look—as if that look will give us a sense of belonging. But that is a profound illusion. Belonging comes from getting close to oneself, not the image that another or a culture has for you. And while we may have shifted away from overt “bikini body” language in marketing, the underlying pressure to ‘fit’ into dominant culture is still there, often making fitness feel like a kind of punishment. For me, movement has always been about something else.
When movement is used as a form of self-expression and connection, it shifts from an ego-driven act to one that serves the soul. It becomes about feeling expanded, empowered, and connected to yourself on a deeper level. This is the kind of movement I am called to—where the body is used to express who we are, rather than an idea of who we think we are supposed to be.
When did you first recognize a connection—or maybe the power of that connection—between movement and mind/spirit/soul?
In college, I was mesmerized by the productions of Big Dance Theater, which as you might have guessed, is a dance theater company based in NYC. Their performances went beyond traditional dance and felt like a weaving of storytelling, visual design, emotion, technology and human connection. Watching Big Dance Theater was my first taste of seeing movement as something that could communicate on a level far beyond words. It wasn’t about balletic technique or form; it was about braiding together disparate elements of culture, texts, theatricality, and music into a performance that bypasses the strategic mind. It was the first time I realized that movement is its own language. And Annie-B, one of the founders, ended up becoming one of the choreographers for David Byrne. It’s all connected!
Then, very shortly after I first began with The Class, my mother passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly. It was then that movement became how I processed deep feeling, not because I consciously understood the connections of mind and body, but because there was an organic outpouring of emotion when I moved in the ways that The Class invites one to. Now in my life after The Class, I’m getting deeper into breathwork and exploring how breath is the bridge between the nervous system and well, just about everything else - emotional release, mental health, deep healing, stress management. It feels like an evolution of what I discovered through movement—the idea that our bodies hold onto so much, and that moving or breathing intentionally can unlock what conversation alone can’t touch.
I've taken some of your classes and the words you share are just as impactful and important as the movements you lead people through. Was this practice part of your evolution into the transformative work you're doing now?
Definitely. Growing up I had a very unpopular passion for Shakespeare. I always joke that if you wanna get with the cool kids, join the volleyball team. If you wanna lose all chance at coolness, start a Shakespeare independent study for one - and that I did. But I didn’t care if that wasn’t the “cool” thing because I was getting so much out of the language. I wouldn’t have said it like this then, but looking back, the poetry helped me feel in ways that my mind couldn’t speak. And that love of language has always been with me. What I found even more powerful was when poetic language was combined with movement. For me, this is where transformation lives, in the combination of piercing poetry and a warm body. That is the root of where Sun.Day Service from. I’ll tell you more about that below!
Tell me about Make The Sun! What are your offerings and where can people find you?
I see Make The Sun as a platform for people to not only see themselves more clearly, but more compassionately. I’m utterly convinced that the way we change the world is by first finding more coherence in our inner world. As we do, we carry this newfound inner connectedness and integration to meet and heal the fractured and contracted parts of our outer world. To put it plainly, if we can find love for ourselves, we can love and be loved by another. And without hyperbole, this has the power to change everything.
Make the Sun offers a range of experiences, from talks and workshops to writings and practices that foster self-connection and discovery. I am about to launch an event series called ‘Sun.Day Service,’ which brings together philosophy, poetry, music, and reflective practice for a 2-hour Sunday morning experience of spirit and community. I also facilitate workshops for corporate teams, lead immersive retreats focused on deepening one’s sense of aliveness, and share weekly writings on Substack, including prompts, playlists, and recipes. Whether you join as an audience member, participant, or reader, my hope is that you leave feeling more connected to yourself, more curious about your inner landscape, and more empowered to live as your unique, loving, and courageous self.
What is one step someone can take to understanding how they truly see themselves on a deeper level?
Start in the mirror. And that’s not a metaphor (or a Michael Jackson lyric). It’s quite literal. Notice how you’re talking to yourself when you next brush your teeth. Notice the tone, the words, and if there’s tension in your body. Can you begin to soften, starting with one aspect - whether that’s your language, your gestures, or your voice? Can you make it a practice to find a kinder way of relating to your reflection?
Is there a tip for people who have cultivated that awareness but haven't yet been able to integrate it into their lives?
What’s ONE thing that you would benefit from hearing on the daily? Write that thing down on a post-it note and put it somewhere or on some thing that you see consistently - maybe that’s your keyboard or dashboard. Even just seeing that reminder sends a pulse of practice through your system. Even if you don’t yet believe it, repetition is what integrates a practice so just keep seeing it - and then saying it - and eventually, it will be woven into your mindset and actions. Over time, that small, daily reminder begins to shift your inner dialogue, creating a foundation for the awareness to take root and influence your choices. Consistency is key, so even if it feels subtle or slow, trust that this repetition is building the integration you’re seeking.
What are your non-negotiables in life for cultivating that shine from within?
My friendships. The discipline with my practices might waiver, but the support and love from my girlfriends never does. They’ve got my back especially during the times when I don’t. I’ve learned a lot about cultivating a kind and loving inner voice, but I still have times where it turns harsh and when it does, they are the voices outside of myself that help me realign with who I am and who I am becoming.
Also, the way I recharge my battery is with dedicated time with my partner, Kevin, and our dog, Smooch, without phones - whether that be a walk around the block or for the duration of an evening together. It’s amazing how our phones have become an extension of our arms. It’s one thing to be together - it's an entirely different experience to be together sans screens.
What gives you energy?
Kindness across divides, whether that be when someone is able to find compassion for a part of them that they had exiled long ago or between people with differing opinions, backgrounds, or beliefs who are able to respect, connect, appreciate, and even love that person for who they are.
Finally, would love it if you could share a go-to recipe that you always have on rotation.
As I write this, Autumn has just begun. And I’m “one of those people” who LOVES a pumpkin spiced latte. But its 10x better when you make it at home.
Ingredients:
1 cup milk of choice (almond, oat, or dairy milk)
2–3 tbsp pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
1–2 tsp maple syrup or honey (to taste)
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup brewed coffee or 1 shot of espresso
Directions:
Heat Milk Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Stir and heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
Blend for Froth (Optional): To get that café-style froth, use a milk frother or pour the milk mixture into a blender and blend for 10-15 seconds until foamy.
Assemble Latte: Pour your brewed coffee or espresso into a mug, then add the pumpkin-spiced milk on top.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle a little extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top, if desired. Get cozy and enjoy!
Visit youmakethesun.com to learn more about how you can engage with Natalie.