After having shoulder surgery five months ago, I've been reacquainting myself with exercise – in quite a feverish manner. I've been an extremely compliant patient, completing all of my physical therapy sessions, and now I'm working out with a trainer and going to barre classes to continue increasing my strength and flexibility.

I love how I feel after completing a workout, but if I'm honest, I hate going most of the time. The only thing that keeps me motivated is the friendliness of the instructors and my personal trainer. Yesterday I walked into the barre studio and the instructor greeted me with an enthusiastic welcome: "Hi Tahira. How are you?" I was impressed that she knew my name and it really made my morning. I purchased a two-week class pass at the barre studio to decide whether I want to buy a membership, and this small act of customer service pushed me closer to the decision of making that purchase. The instructor made me feel remembered, recognized and like I was a part of something, and that felt great!