“Aubry Is a Light”: Woman With Down Syndrome Makes History as a Fitness Instructor

September 7, 2026

A 22-year-old woman with Down syndrome has become the first person with Down syndrome to become a certified UpBeat Barre instructor, and she is using her new role to show others that there is room for everyone in the fitness world.

woman fitness instructor down syndrome Aubry and Jane / @alldredge.aubry

For Aubry Alldredge of Kaysville, Utah, becoming an instructor is about much more than leading people through a workout.

It is about helping people feel good, making sure everyone feels included, and, of course, making a whole lot of new friends.

Aubry has spent years attending fitness classes at VASA Fitness in Kaysville. She has tried everything from Zumba and dance to HIGH Fitness, Pilates and SilverSneakers.

But UpBeat Barre became her favorite. The workout combines cardio, strength training, Pilates and yoga, and Aubry loved it so much that she eventually began learning the choreography well enough to teach it herself.

Her instructor, Jane Johnson, said Aubry would sometimes turn around during class and teach the people behind her because she already knew the routines so well.

“She has an incredible brain,” Johnson told KSL. “Aubry can learn choreography so fast, and she retains it.”

That talent, along with her enthusiasm and natural stage presence, eventually led Aubry to pursue certification.

And then came a moment she had been waiting for.

Aubry recently stood in front of more than 60 people and taught her very first class.

She loved every second of it.

“I love to be on stage. I love exercise. I loved to wear my mic and say every cue,” Aubry said. “I want to help everyone feel included.”

During the class, she moved throughout the room giving high-fives, encouraging participants and making people feel like they belonged there.

That might be Aubry’s favorite part of teaching.

“I love to be with people, and there was a full crowd!” she said.

woman fitness instructor down syndrome @alldredge.aubry

Johnson said inclusion has always been an important part of UpBeat Barre, which made Aubry’s desire to become an instructor especially meaningful.

“Finding ways to be inclusive has been one of our missions,” Johnson said. “We were just delighted when Aubry wanted to be an instructor because she holds those values.”

The gym is now working toward getting Aubry established as an official instructor in Kaysville.

And if her first class is any indication, she already has plenty of people cheering her on.

“Aubry is a light, and she brings so much joy to so many people,” Johnson said. “I think it shows that she can work hard to do anything, and I think it shows other people that they can work hard to do anything they set their minds to as well.”