Ariel Pohl – Grounded in Nature
As part of our Earth Month series, The Connection Between Fitness, Wellness & Outdoor Spaces, we’re highlighting Life Time team members who find renewal and purpose in the outdoors.
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For Ariel Pohl, nature isn’t just a place to visit—it’s where she feels most at home.
As a Personal Trainer, Nutrition Specialist, and LT Metabolic Technician at Life Time Westminster, Ariel spends her days helping others build strength, confidence, and balance through movement and healthy habits. But when life starts to feel hectic, she turns to the outdoors for her own sense of renewal.
A Colorado native, Ariel grew up camping and hiking with her grandparents—formative experiences that shaped her deep love for the natural world. That connection has only grown stronger with time.
“The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve realized how being outdoors and being very active in hiking, camping, and just in outdoor spaces in general is a sense of grounding for me.”
For Ariel, being outside isn’t just a hobby—it’s an essential part of her wellness routine. Whether she’s walking a familiar trail or soaking in the stillness of a quiet campsite, those moments offer her a way to recharge mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Especially in a world that can feel overwhelmingly loud.
Ariel spent ten seasons as a professional dancer in the NBA and now serves as a coach for the team. Between that, her work at Life Time, and her role as a group fitness instructor, her day-to-day is filled with constant movement, music, and stimulation. And without intentional time to reset, that kind of environment can leave the nervous system feeling overwhelmed and dysregulated.
“Screen time and noise pollution are at an all-time high. My world is loud. But when I get outside and disconnect in nature, I’m giving my nervous system an entire reset.”
She describes nature as a form of meditation—one that helps her quiet the noise, find clarity, and return to herself.
A growing body of research supports what Ariel has long known: spending time in nature helps reduce stress, improve sleep, boost immunity, and support overall mental well-being. And as someone who works daily to help others improve their health, Ariel sees access to green spaces as a crucial piece of the wellness puzzle.
She also sees it as a responsibility.
“So as far as future generations go, I think it’s very vital to protect our spaces—whether it be trails, camping spaces, or outdoor open spaces like we have here in Colorado.”
Ariel knows firsthand what these spaces can provide—and what it would mean to lose them. That’s why she believes in taking action now, so that children today and tomorrow can experience the same kind of freedom, healing, and joy that she did growing up.
Because protecting nature isn’t just about preserving the environment. It’s about preserving a way of life—one that keeps us grounded, connected, and whole.