From inside Whimsy Forge

Emily2 weeks ago

I'm so proud of myself for doing this challenge. It has been literal DECADES since I did any formal workout program consistently - since college sports with a coach. This challenge helped me have some accountability, made it fun, pulled my brain away into a bit of an extended imaginary world via dragon rider themes, in a way that felt accessible to me. I so appreciated all the modifications and encouraging words along the way, so I could truly feel like I was doing what I could do with my body where it's at right now.

Blaise2 weeks ago

I had 2 back surgeries 7 years ago and have been struggling to find a program that I could keep up with. I lost a lot of flexibility along my right side and core strength. I gained so much from this program! I found through all the planks and challenges that I could hold a plank and got some of my strength back. I gained so much flexibility with all the stretching throughout the program. I feel like my back and right side have more freedom of movement then I have seen in the past 10 years. I cannot wait to jump into the next program and keep this forward momentum.

Tara2 weeks ago

I learned a lot about the balance of listening to my body and not giving up. With some injury, getting back to work after the summer, and coming back to the program after my wedding there were plenty of times where I just wanted to call it or not show up that day. But each time I walked away from that workout - even if I half assed it here and there- I was so proud I moved my body. I realized I don’t always have to kill myself, but I can continue to keep the routine and make sure my body gets some movement because even though I haven’t finished the program, and it wasn’t my 100% all the time, I still made a lot of progress. Thank you to my squad for pushing me each day and supporting me through the challenges!

𝕶𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖞2 weeks ago

Over these last eight weeks, I’ve grown in ways I never expected. I was never one for physical training. I was much more comfortable with my nose stuck in a book and my body firmly planted on the couch. But these weeks have shown me that by keeping at it every day, making a conscious choice every day, checking in with my squad mates every day, and choosing myself every day, I can build a life filled with dedication, strength, and confidence.

Nicole2 weeks ago

Omg I’ve learned so much! But the biggest wins for me have been learning that I could stick to a program for 8 full weeks! That I could learn to love working out again and that working out can be fun! I’ve learned that having a community and my squad has made all the difference in my accountability. Although I haven’t made it to level 3 in any skill, I’ve seen improvement in all and my “fear level” (especially with inversions) has improved. So grateful for Whimsy!

Korin2 weeks ago

Looking back at this challenge, I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that progress rarely looks dramatic while you’re in the middle of it. It’s showing up on the days you’re excited, but also on the days you’re tired, sore, cranky, nap-trapped, interrupted by a toddler, or just completely unmotivated. Then one day you realize the thing you couldn’t do months ago is suddenly something you *can* do. I’ve gotten stronger, pushed my endurance, improved my balance, learned weapons, worked on handstands and pull-ups, finally reached a split, and probably most importantly learned to stop treating “I can’t do this yet” like a final answer.

Mary3 weeks ago

Yesterday I hiked and climbed things id have been too scared to do before and its because of Whimsy Forge. I trusted my body to carry me. I trusted my body to have the strength to catch me. I trusted my balance. I TRUSTED ME TO HAVE ME. AND I DID. AND I HAD FUN. I FROLICED UP AND DOWN PATHS I WOULDNT HAVE WALKED BEFORE. THANK YOU Charity, I am having fun and I'm happy!!!

You guys! I've needed a win, and I just got one! My goal for this training was to start getting some of my old skills back. After having kids, and years of weight gain, depression, etc I never thought I would be able to do a back bend again. At the beginning of this course my shoulders were too tight. Then my arms couldnt quite make it. Then tonight I decided to go for it, and I did it!!

JuKo3 weeks ago

Today I’ve reached a particularly important milestone in my weight-loss journey. And, as this community and the training sessions here have been a huge help, I wanted to share my success with you. 🩷 The picture on the left shows me at my heaviest (just under 140 kg) and on the right is me today, after the scales showed 99.9. After more than 10 years, I’m finally back under 100 kg! 🎉🎉🎉 I’m going to treat myself by finally ordering the training weapons I’ve been dying to get today.⚔️✨️

Jen1 month ago

The biggest personal win for me is that through these 5 weeks I've gotten more confident and playful with my son. This morning we went go a playground and I was playing and hanging from the monkey bars and trying things I would never have tried 5 weeks ago. I'm so excited 🥰💃🏼💪 Ps. Doing this move in sweatpants is not recommended 😅

Alison1 month ago

So, since I started DRC I have not lost any weight. This is not a surprise, it is very likely menopause’s fault. But here is what has happened. I’ve lost an inch from my chest, an inch from my waist, just shy of an inch from my hips, and half an inch from each thigh. I’ve also been smiling more and seeing myself in the mirror and thinking, “hey, she’s cute!”☺️ So, yeah, it’s working! 💚💙

Shelly1 month ago

I went into this challenge feeling super unmotivated because I’ve struggled with shoulder issues for years and would usually collapse after 10–20 seconds… so I’m honestly SHOCKED that I somehow managed to hold a plank for a whole minute?! 😂🔥 I have absolutely no idea how that happened, and I’m sure there are Cadets who can hold it for much longer — but for me, this was such a huge surprise and I’m seriously so proud of myself! 🥹💪🐉❤️

Noelle1 month ago

Celebrating the fact that today was the first time I have ever been able to comfortably touch my toes, I even was touching the floor! The way I actually giggled to myself and then ran to show my bf after the video 😂 I also finally figured out the behind the back lunge bind! I’m just getting over being sick and long work hours to make up for it so I was even more pleasantly surprised that I didn’t loose as much progress as I thought I did.

Korin1 month ago

When I started training again in February after pregnancy, I could only hang for about 15 seconds. During the Guild of Trials, beating that already felt like a huge accomplishment. Now I’m getting so close to one full minute, and seeing that progress feels pretty amazing. Is it the longest hang in the group? Definitely not. But it’s the longest I’ve ever hung, and I pushed myself until I genuinely had nothing left. So instead of comparing my time to someone hanging there for seven minutes, I’m going to be gentle with myself and celebrate the fact that the person who started at 15 seconds is now knocking on the door of a minute. 🖤🐉

Ciera1 month ago

Just completed W3D3 after falling behind a bit and even after taking a break for a little, I’m so happy to actually feel progress the past couple days. 🥹 my shoulders feel stronger, my arms, and my core! I can ALMOST do a headstand (still working on it 😅). Before I started this program, it had been a long time since I exercised properly. It’s really amazing to feel stronger in my body and I’m so happy to have found exercise I actually care about 🥲 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔

Peyton1 month ago

I wanted to find a group that allowed the little girl in me (the one who could only dream of fantasy worlds) to still exist in my adult life. Somewhere along the way, life got real, and she stopped allowing herself to play, be silly, and believe in a little bit of magic. A little nostalgic, a lot more confident, and finally giving myself permission to have fun with life again. ❤️

Stepanka2 months ago

Completing two Whimsy Forge challenges now has shown me how much stronger and more consistent I am becoming. I began this journey during some of the worst anaemia I have ever experienced, when even a few minutes of movement could leave me breathless. Looking at what my body can do now makes this achievement feel even more meaningful. The Valkyrie Challenge is officially complete, and now I am ready to take on my next adventure: the Dragon Rider Challenge! 🐉🔥

Sarah2 months ago

This has been such a journey!! I'm honestly amazed at the ways I have progressed throughout the course of the last 8 weeks, but here are some of my major takeaways: Not long to lie, some days were way easier than others. I hit a point about halfway through where just getting started on a workout was really hard, but I'm really proud of myself for sticking with it and making sure I got each week complete, even if it meant some bleedover or doubling up 💪 It's been actually insane to see how my physicality has improved: trying to do the VRC quests for instance, I still can't believe my wall sit went from just under a minute to almost two full minutes. Like, excuse me?? That's absolutely w i l d 🙌 Not only that, but for Plyo Fridays, my mile started off somewhere around 15 minutes and today I got back to my starting point in 11 🎉

Sydney2 months ago

FINISHED DRT!!! It was hard, challenging, and I had to take a week off to recover from surgery but I DID IT!!!! First fitness program I’ve ever finished and done so with pride!! That rider vanguard badge looks so epic and I’m proud of myself for getting this far and thankful for such an amazing community to hype me up when I felt like giving up!! On to the next 💪🏼💪🏼

Rachel2 months ago

I’m on week 4 day 2. I have never worked out consistently in my life. This program has sparked to life motivation and joy I have never felt before. I have consistently done every single day since starting. I even managed to do my workouts while going through the stomach flu and a horrible sunburn that ended up as second degree burns. I just wanted to share that I’m so proud of myself💜 thanks for reading and providing support along the way🫶🏻

Marissa2 months ago

For the first time since becoming a mom, I feel like I'm investing in myself again. I feel strong, flexible, confident and driven for the next challenge. I've tried workout programs in the past but hadn't been successful, either from burnout, feeling alone, or just flat out like of self worth. Thank you to each and every one of you that have kept me motivated by sharing your stories, your progress, your hurdles and your advice. I'm so grateful that I found this program and community. Now onto Dragon Rider! ⚔️💪🏻🐉

Amber2 months ago

Really really love the community though, and I love the follow-along videos and weapon training. This made working out fun again for me. Between this and eating better, I've been able to lose 15+ lbs postpartum and start to feel somewhat comfortable in my body again. I'm taking pictures of myself again, wearing fun outfits, and not spiraling every time I look in the mirror. I'm so so grateful for Whimsy Forge for helping me get my whimsy back and my passion for movement back.

Tonya2 months ago

This has been a fun and challenging program. I have learned that I can be strong and resilient with the consistent training. After the last 15 years of having a sedentary life style due to career and personal life, my low back/pelvis has had persistent pains and feel like I cant move very well. I have not had much motivation for exercising as it seems boring and the interest just haven’t been there. I found the Valkyrie challenge a little over a week into it and felt that this could be fun and would work for me. And it did. The Valkyrie training has help tremendously where those pains have been vastly reduced, I feel stronger, more confident, resilient, have improved mobility. I can be like the warriors in the fantasy and romantasy books I love to read. I am a sword wielding Valkyrie.

Seana2 months ago

This is my second series and I finally am feeling so much more comfortable with the weapons and nailed the sword routine finally! I also noticed a lot more flexibility and by the end could do toe touches up to my chest and am getting closer to those elusive cartwheels and handstands. I’m also getting stronger and stronger and can feel the difference Beyond the physical, I truly am feeling more and more like the main character whose journey is just beginning…this is not something I thought I would feel at 42. I’m becoming more confident and enjoying more whimsy and my loved ones have noticed. My husband (who is always proud of me) has loved to see how into the weapons and combat I’ve gotten and said he is so proud and impressed. The confidence is showing up in so many places in my life that I didn’t expect. Can’t wait to continue my main character journey with Whimsy Forge and this incredible community. See yall for the next challenge!

Katie2 months ago

This has been a really fun journey for me. I almost didn’t sign up for the challenge when I saw it, though something in me was screaming at me to say yes to it. I was laying in bed at like 10pm and decided to join. I knew that once I said yes I would be all in, and for some reason that scared the hell out of me. Because I knew it would change me in a way I didn’t think was possible again, a way I didn’t think I was ready for. Fitness was my life for so long, but this challenge gave me something different than just a bunch of cool workouts. It gave me the spark I needed to live life differently. To live it intentionally and move my body in a way that feels good and feels… free. I learned to let play take the lead. To let my body enjoy moving again. To ENJOY my body moving again after having my son. I’ve learned some fun new skills, learned I could move in ways I didn’t think was possible at 31, learned I could push my limits and do over 1,000 lunges in one sitting—lol what??? I learned that I love wielding a sword and a axe-omg do I love it. I also realized that I love being… me. I needed this. I needed more whimsy in my life. I’ve been forged anew, and this is only the beginning. 💜 ⚔️ thank you. 🥹

Cristy2 months ago

During Valkyrie Reborn I helped a close friend remodel his entire house and property to sell on days I wasn’t working my full time job as a nurse. My life has always kind of been running at full speed. The one thing that was missing, after repetitive walking on a hospital floors, lifting people, hauling wood, painting, raking, hammering … etc., was strength training, core training, balance and mobility. This is the first time I could incorporate working out with the other demands of my life and keep up. I’ve never been a part of a community that is so supportive of listening to your body to maintain consistency. And it’s truly unbelievable how well that works. I started with Whimsy Forge back in January with the Lunar Rise program. While I am not at an elite level of balance, mobility or strength … I’ve made a complete 180 from where I used to be. I push myself a little more, I play a lot more, and I have a bit more confidence in everything that I do. That is priceless to me because I never thought I would get here. 🖤🪽

Tori2 months ago

When I started this challenge, I thought I came to learn sword work. Turns out I learned a little more about myself, too. I remembered how much I love moving my body in ways that feel like play instead of punishment. I let myself be a beginner again instead of expecting perfection, and somewhere along the way I stopped worrying so much about whether I was "doing it right." I showed up, even on the days I didn't feel like it. I laughed at myself. I got stronger. And I remembered that confidence isn't built by waiting until you're good at something—it's built by continuing anyway. This is only the beginning, and I'm excited to see where the next chapter & challenge takes me. ⚔️🧜🏽‍♀️✨

Ashley2 months ago

Throughout this journey I have gained confidence and learned how capable I am. I was able to set goals that I didn’t think I’d achieve and then proceed to achieve or exceed them each time. I was shocked when I started weight training to realize how much strength I already had. When I began working on the weapon’s combo, I thought it impossible for me to figure out. I got frustrated and moved on quickly at first. Now I find myself practicing constantly, excited to continue to gain speed and so proud of myself for memorizing the steps. The ninja roll was comical at first. I felt like a dog rolling in the grass! I watched videos and tried out different techniques and finally figured out how to move my body just this past week! I’m seriously proud of myself for persevering through this entire challenge. I’m excited to see myself in a year, doing pull-ups and handstands hopefully! I never thought I could achieve that level of fitness, but nothing feels impossible anymore.

🧝‍♀️2 months ago

I think the most important thing that I have learned during this challenge is to have fun with my workouts. Often it feels like such a chore to work out and to make the time to exercise every day. However, by doing the Valkyrie challenge, I’ve learned to add fun and whimsy into my fitness routine, which I think has really made a difference for me. It went from just toiling away in the gym to becoming a badass Valkyrie warrior and that is way more fun than just regular time in the gym. It’s sort of reminds me of when I was younger, and I used to play and pretend and become the characters that were in my head that I wanted to be. I think as adults we often forget how to do that. We get caught up in regular life, adult responsibilities, and our work and other obligations. It becomes hard to find joy and fun in all of the things that we do like we did when we were children. As I’ve gotten older, I find myself returning to that person that I used to be when I was younger, and the more that I do that the happier I become. I think the whimsy Forge fitness programs have been an excellent way to incorporate exercise back into my life, but in a way that is fun and joyful and whimsical. This makes me way more motivated to actually do the workouts because it’s less of a chore and more of a playtime.

Kira2 months ago

This is my second full program I am about to complete with Whimsy Forge! I have learned so much. Three years ago I saw a surgeon that told me I had a huge herniated disc in my cervical spine and recommended surgery. I really did not want surgery. I worked through PT but I struggled with continuing exercising. Which is unfortunate because I used to be very active. Since I’ve joined Whimsy Forge I’ve been able to improve with my strength and mobility! It has given me motivation to continue to move my body. And now I have improved so much that I can do a ninja roll. 👏 So this program taught me resilience and strength to keep going, even when things are not perfect. Progress over perfection!

Mari2 months ago

This journey was truly intriguing. I had no idea what to expect when I joined Whimsy Forge, so every achievement I’ve made has been driven by the motivation I found in this community. By nature, I’m a bit of a coward and I tend to underestimate myself. But here, I found myself inspired by everyone around me, and I grew alongside you. For the first time in my life, I held a wall sit for that long, hung from a pull-up bar for that long, practiced handstands, and worked on my cartwheel (I’m still not at Level 3 yet, though!). I never imagined I could lift this much weight, and I kept getting stronger with every single workout. My goal was to overcome myself, face my fears, and learn new skills. I also wanted to gain better control over my body and improve my balance. I had no idea these workouts would give me all of that. I enjoyed every single day of this journey. I discovered what discipline feels like when it doesn’t come with constant inner resistance, but with curiosity. I started learning more about my nutrition and listening to my body. My energy levels and overall activity noticeably increased by the end of Week 4, and since then I’ve become even more convinced that exercise is my salvation. I’ve struggled with low energy for many years. But honestly… regular workouts could never inspire me the way fantasy fitness with all of you does. I’m so happy to be here and so grateful to be part of this wonderful, unstoppable community ⚔️🫶🏻🔥

Kaché2 months ago

I went on a trip to the Florida panhandle and was SO INSANELY proud of myself when I was able to both stand up off the bench in full gear with zero help AND get out if the water and up two ladders in full gear with zero help 🥹 I cried; this is part of a lifelong dream and I'd been so worried I wouldn't be strong enough for this sport, but I am thanks to the programs here and my consistency. Thank you, WF Team!🥹🎉🫶🏾

Nat2 months ago

The lessons that stood out to me the most throughout Valkyrie Reborn revolved around leadership and sharing the joy of training movement with others. I treasured the opportunity to lead squads within the Forge for the first time. I loved seeing you all grow and experiencing your successes and struggles alongside you all. I learned the power of listening and being there for your teammates, and I hope I always did that for you all. Thank you for being there for me! After many years of failed attempts working out together, my husband and I started a regular weight-lifting practice using the Week B formats. I learned a lot about our ideal workout chemistry, which is different from my individual formula. I credit my improved approach to my time with my squads—it was so huge to see, ponder, and honor the many different (all powerful) ways everyone exercises. I learned a lot from our leadership team about helping a team run smoothly and supportively, and I find myself applying these skills in my day-to-day with adults I direct for work. The Forge continues to shape me into a more genuine, confident version of myself, and I am so grateful for the community. 💜

Emilie2 months ago

I started this program because I felt I was in a rut and wanted to improve my fitness in a new way. I did not expect to find my whimsy, wanting to get back into reading, creativity, and just find a new way to look at life. I showed up every week for every day, sometimes even twice a day (I think once I did three days in one??) I'm proud of myself. I might not look very different physically, but at the start I could only do a stepper for 15 minutes MAYBE, and now this past week I went for 45 minutes. The sword combo was also a challenge and I'm happy I've kind of got it down (albeit slowly). What really helped me was writing down the steps on paper, who would have thought! Thank you Charity, Madison, the mods, and everyone who interacted with me this program. I'm definitely going to stay around the forge and keep building my whimsy and my body.

Victoria2 months ago

I chose to do the dragon rider program because the Valkyrie program didn’t appear to match my availability or fitness level at the beginning of the challenge. At the beginning of this, I was winded from going up one flight of stairs. I felt like I was breaking when I tried to help my husband work on our house. My knees hurt whenever I tried to run or jump. I had shoulder pain on the right side in conjunction with pushups and any overhead lifting. What I really wanted was functional fitness that would allow me to actually be helpful with the countless construction projects on our house, be able to keep up on annual backpacking trips with my daughter, and be able to confidently say yes to spur of the moment active play with my kids. I’d had trouble sticking to any other program, and so I saw fantasy training as a means of staying engaged as I chased functional fitness. I was a little concerned about the risk of injury, but I also trusted that there was something better on the other side. I was right to trust. Throughout this program I learned that there is long term pain relief as my muscles get stronger. As a direct result of the work done with this program I have helped my husband with the house as I carried countless 5 gallon buckets filled with rock and dirt and lifted and mixed 80lb bags of cement without pain or injury. I’ve camped and hiked and swam with my kids. I look and feel better. But also. My goals have shifted beyond functional fitness. Being part of this community helped me to catch a bigger picture and remember that fitness can be more than functional. It can be fun and badass and empowering. Now I have to keep training because I have bigger goals. I want the handstand, and the pull-ups, and ALL THE WEAPONS. I want to dress up and create magical moments. And I guess that last part may be due to the greater Whimsy Forge community, not specifically doing the Valkyrie challenge. I just know that the ads that drew me into this community and this fitness challenge promised “becoming the hero”, and I didn’t really expect to get sucked into that. But I did, and I’m really glad of it. At a time when the world feels topsy turvy, and it’s tempting to hunker down with tight budgeting and stick to what’s safe and necessary, I am seeing the necessity of whimsy and magic. And I think that’s an important lesson.

Sarah2 months ago

I’ve been hearing a lot about the importance of maintaining muscle as we age. And I work with hospital patient charts; I see seniors who still ski and hike the Grand Canyon, and those who fall and can’t get up. The irony is that since I started in my role, my own physical activity has declined because I sit at a computer all day. I’ve never committed to regular exercise — I don’t like gyms or reps — but I was finally motivated to be intentional about my health. Turns out, the way these programs are structured works really well for me! There’s the right amount of flexibility, guidance, purpose, and fun. The weapons combos are the highlight; I’m determined to learn them all. I get a sense of where I want to go, what I want to work on next. And I notice progress! The first Assassin’s workout had me sore for days … that doesn’t happen anymore. Awkward sword movements smooth out. Very happy to have found this community.

SamanthaJuly 2026

The last 7 weeks have been such a freeing experience. I kept trying different programs and gyms to get myself back into any consistent exercise, but nothing kept me engaged. With Whimsy Forge I’m not only excited for every day’s workout, I’m pushing myself to find new limits. I was bad about getting myself to keep pushing, but through this program I was able to find a new edge every day while still having fun. This community has been amazing and encouraging. You can feel how much everyone cares and how we support each other. I can’t wait to keep learning new skills and seeing just how strong I can become.

ElleJuly 2026

When I started these quests, I thought I was signing up for another fitness challenge. Somewhere along the way, it became something else. I remembered how to play. I climbed mountains because I wanted to see the view. I practiced with swords on the beach. I learned cartwheels, rolls, and new weapons—not because they were productive, but because they made me feel alive. Every quest reminded me that movement doesn’t have to be punishment. It can be curiosity. Adventure. Joy. The greatest transformation wasn’t in my strength or my balance. It was choosing myself again. Making space for wonder. For challenge. For the version of me that had been quietly waiting to come back.

So I did day one… for me it was a big thing. I suffer from chronic pain and have gone from being a super sporty person to a shell of previous adventurous myself. There is that fear that what ever I do will result in more pain than I can handle. That fear was blocking me from even trying. But between my supressed adventurer, my love for all things active and those magical books - this site has motivated me to give it a go again! I won’t let my fear stop me, I will listen to my body. But I will do my very best to keep going.

CaitlinJuly 2026

I gotta say, I joined Whimsy Forge just before Valkyrie was announced and immediately hopped into the program. I’ve been lifting weights for years and made little progress. No progress meant no motivation to stay consistent. But this program! I have noticed significant gains in strength, hypertrophy, and most importantly, I’m having a lot of fun. Thank you, Whimsy Forge Team and fellow warriors! ⚔️

VivvyJuly 2026

Today feels like a milestone on my own little adventure.🍂 I was born with my legs developing differently, and growing up I was supposed to go through physical therapy but never had the chance. With that in mind, building strength has never come easily. Today, I completed my first full Valkyrie training session. I only paused once, but I finished it!! I'm really proud of that!!! The best part is I can already feel strength returning to my legs. I've been losing weight, growing stronger, and I'm feeling more confident than I have in a long time!!! If you're working toward something that feels hard, keep going!! Every journey starts with one brave step, and every small victory deserves to be celebrated. ❤️

SeanaJuly 2026

First of all love that I’m seeing real progress just in 2 weeks on my strength! 2 weeks ago I was struggling a bit with where I set my weights but this week they felt so much lighter even with the extra reps. Second I looooove my axe!!! Was so fun getting to learn it (waaaay different than the sword). Couldn’t nail the forward two handed flip but the one hand toss felt natural and badass. Loved doing the illusion kick with it too! Need to work on getting my leg higher and straighter but instantly looks more awesome and confident with the axe 😆 Can’t wait to see 2 weeks from now and how I can improve!

AnalieseJune 2026

I just finished the last workout of week 4 and since we are at the halfway spot I thought I'd share some non-scale victories. It's nuts! My legs have some new muscle lines, my energy is up (I've actually been waking up at 5:45 even on weekends, like who is this person?) and I feel all around happier! I feel stronger. AND I feel better than I have in a few years even though I was working out with different programs in the time. This is such a great space. I am absolutely thrilled I joined Whimsy Forge.

AlinaJune 2026

I started on June 1st, and have been taking my time. I was lifting weights prior, but honestly… this week I feel so much stronger than I have ever before. I increased my weights, my reps, and my sets. My stomach is flatter, my legs are stronger, my upper body strength has gotten better and I'm loving it. This is what I needed!! The warrior in me feels alive, and my appearance is finally starting to match how I feel internally. Strong. Fearless. Resilient. Empowered.

I’m so grateful for last week’s lower back pain! My momentum was slowly fading (I’m soo out of shape, 25 kg overweight, and I have never been in the habit of working out in over 40 years) and so it forced me to exercise for my back’s sake, just to be able to walk and move and be with my little child. I feel so much more energy in my body! I notice my hip is more flexible and can do exercises with more ease. Starting to actually enjoy workouts.. omg THAT is the best part of being here😍

KatieJune 2026

I read a quote today that said, “your body is not broken, it’s just coming back online.” — in reference to the healing process of post-partum. Today I watched a video of myself doing cartwheels, and instead of seeing the fun I was having, I saw the loose skin, cellulite and extra baby weight I’m still carrying. I dropped weight so fast after my son was born, and then my IUD changed my body. Too much change in a short time. Too high of an expectation over my own body too. I’m “coming back online”, and I’m learning to be okay with it! Loving my body through it. But this Valkyrie Reborn challenge couldn’t be more perfect for what my body NEEDS. It needs play. It needs fun. It needs to be enjoyed.. 🥺🥲 thank you to the creators of this platform and all that it includes. You’re helping me heal. ❤️‍🔥

CelineMay 2026

I will finish the Assassins program this week and wow what a wonderful experience it was! In the beginning of the 8 weeks I set my goal to be consistent and finish this Program and to have fun with doing something with my body and feeling like a badass everyday! I had so much fun and pushed me and my squad to our limits! The daily check-ins to get the points for our guilds helped me to stay motivated and finding the time to get my ass up and do the short workout! I loved it so much and it was the first program I had fun with and it wasn’t just working out!😆

ChrissiMay 2026

Very proud of how far I’ve come, my balance is better than ever, with that I’ve regained my confidence to do things out of my comfort zone, like box jumps, balancing on foot and switch on an elevated obstacle. My head stands and handstands are improving little by little, so do all the other skills. On top of all my body is more toned and my glutes are popping.

SeanaMay 2026

Cannot believe how fast these 8 weeks have gone! They may not be super noticeable to others but the strength and flexibility I’ve gained over the last 8 weeks is shocking to me and makes me excited to keep going. I got further with the splits than I ever thought possible and have so much more upper body strength. I am no stranger to working out and training but this was one of the first times doing something where I had to hold myself accountable and kept up with it even on the days I wanted to say “screw this” I have loved how open and supportive this group has been which has made me comfortable sharing progress pics and videos without worry of judgement. It’s so nice to have an online community that is nothing but positive. Even more this experience has rekindled my sense of whimsy and dressing up and having fun. We tend to lose that as adults. I’m so excited to start on my Manon Blackbeak costume using some of the dragon scale tutorials!

KristaMay 2026

This is the FIRST time I’ve ever actually completed a program! I’m so thankful to Charity for creating this program/community and to everyone behind the scenes who makes it happen. There were a few days I missed a workout, but the difference was that I genuinely wanted to come back and keep going — and that made all the difference. Movement can actually be as fun as I always hoped it could be, and now I know I *can* do it. Thank you all so much for this experience. I seriously can’t wait for the next 8-week challenge!

KristaMay 2026

I am so glad I tried this. The competition aspect was helpful, and motivated me on many nights when I usually would have just sat on the couch. It was also some good exposure therapy having to record and take pictures of myself. 😅 I discovered some of my strengths and definitely found areas I want to work on. I realized that if I don't use it, I'll lose it. And I don't want to lose my mobility or health. So I am going to keep working on my strength and flexibility. But it's a relief to realize that I don't have to be perfect. I want to learn more sword skills, and I want to take self-defense classes in the future. I am even more determined to get a sword tattoo now! I loved finding a group of my people, who love fantasy and whimsy and creating. This trial gave me hope for myself, and for the world. I love being an assassin and I feel badass having done some training, even to pretend to be one. Stay shady assassins! ⚔️🥷🖤

JessicaMay 2026

I’m proud of myself for sticking with this. I’m proud of my body for keeping up with me and getting stronger. I’ve learned to do things for myself and do more activities that I enjoy and have put to the side. I’ve always been a fantasy nerd and love that I’ve joined a community that embraces that! Thank you all for everything you’ve shown me! My favorite part of all of it was learning the sword skills and combos. I’m definitely going to continue learning and growing in that skill.

JenniferMay 2026

Through this journey I accomplished more than I thought I would! I began this with the hope that I could stick to something and maybe lose a little weight. Not only did I show up and complete every single day’s workout without fail - even on days I was sick (with modifications) or mentally feeling low - but I also lost 20 lbs in the process! On top of that, I leveled up my splits, high jumps, and dive rolls. I regained a lot of strength I hadn’t even realized I had lost and I’m motivated to keep going! I was able to feel like my warrior self again and had so much fun using my weapons for the sword combos. I feel so accomplished after this challenge - I really want to keep pushing my limits, getting back to an healthier body and mindset, and getting back to the fitness level I used to have. Thank you to everyone for all the support, encouragement, and competition!

AnnieMay 2026

Most importantly for me, the past 8 weeks have shown me that I don’t need to be afraid of HIIT workouts anymore. I really thought it was going to be difficult for me to stay committed because of those, but I think the dragon theme and the short workout time was just enough motivation for me to stick with it. And I learned that it’s ok to work toward the harder challenges (like the 30 min warrior workout) by first breaking it up into manageable segments. Finding those intermediate steps and modifications will give me the confidence to try the workouts that look exhausting next time around.

SunnyMay 2026

I joined this group because exercise in my past has always been linked to stressful life periods and punishment. I had hoped that the play aspect of the group would break me out of my mindset so that I could actually stick to a routine. And I did! Not 100%, not everyday, but I always came back. As much as I wanted to learn all the skills, I knew doing them all at once would be too much so I instead chose to focus on just showing up. And now? Instead of thinking of exercise and feeling insurmountable dread, I think of exercise and get excited. I am excited to go back through the weeks, to focus on each skill one at a time and keep working at them slowly, consistently. I’m excited to get a sword and actually do the drills! But for now? For now I’m proud of myself. Because I showed up. I stuck with it. And I WANT to continue to. So thank you Whimsy Forge, thank you Dragon Riders, thank you Obsidian Guard. This is only the beginning!

ArteMay 2026

It's certainly bittersweet each time one of these workouts comes to an end! I'm not going to lie, the Dragon Rider training kicked my butt (in the best way possible!). When V1 rolled out I got halfway through then had to stop due to illness. I was so upset with myself that I couldn't continue but my body was just not there. I decided to heal and wait until the Assassin's training came out. Even then I wasn't sure I could do it. But I was going to make every effort I could to show up this time. I successfully completed that training then moved onto Lunar Rise (probably my favorite). Feeling accomplished and in a good routine I completed Lunar Rise on time as well. Consistency was getting easier. My body getting stronger. Then Dragon Rider was here again. I stared this training down with a new sense of fire because damnit I was going to get through it this time. And while some movements were still a little challenging - I had built a foundation to tackle them head on. I celebrated new wins and things I couldn't get through before in V1. I'm so proud of myself for showing up, for strengthening my body, and for giving myself grace when I'm not quite there yet (looking at you handstands and pull ups!) But hey - I couldn't even hold myself up this time last year for a handstand so I will take it! Looking forward to what I'll be able to do in another year from now!

KaelynMay 2026

I can’t believe its been two months. I’ve never stuck with working out for this long before. I would try to start countless times, then go in too hard and get frustrated when I wasn’t as strong as I used to be. Any little thing was an excuse not to try: I was tired, had no time, was on my period, anything. This time though, I found the energy, I found the time, I pushed through discomfort and pain and frustration and I finally understand why people enjoy exercise. I can run more now without running out of breath, I feel so much stronger than I did before. It makes me want to keep pushing, to see how much farther I can go. I’ve even found the motivation to start eating better, even if it’s just baby steps for now. I learned I’m capable of so much more than I ever thought.

AvilouMay 2026

I'm so freaking proud of myself for following all the way through The Dragon Riders program from start to finish 🥳 The first program I did was Assasin's Ascent and I wasn't able to keep up because I kept getting sick, injuries happened and my hypermobility was making it really difficult for especially my knees. But not giving up paid off and this time around I could follow along without my body stopping me. I've learned so much about myself throughout this journey and I'm motivated to keep going 🔥 I've discovered how important daily exercise and movement is not just for my physical well-being but also for my mental health, nervous system regulation and balancing my neurodivergency. The routine and consistency with the added playfulness makes all the difference 🤸🏼‍♀️ I can feel and see that my body is getting stronger and I'm motivated to see if I can level up and find new ways of progressing 🪜 This community makes all the difference in the world and I'm so happy to always feel supported and cheered on! 🥰 Dragon Rider Cadet signing out but continuing on to new adventures! I'm planning to restart Lunar Rise and hope to see a lot of you guys in that space 🌙

MakaylaMay 2026

This training not only made me more confident in my body and movements, but also has inspired me to do things I loved as a kid with all the crafts and make my heart happy. Everyone in my life notices a difference that has happened this year and I think a big part of it is the forge. Thank you to the whole team for putting this together as well as all the participants and team mates, especially my squad mates of The Thirteen 🖤⚔️

ShannonMay 2026

Whimsy Forge has been the only workout program I've been able to stick to ever. I completed my second 8-week program when other programs I would stop after a couple days. What's the difference? Maybe the bad ass instructor. Maybe the promise of playing with weapons. Maybe a mid life life crisis. Who knows. The process hasn't always been fun. The progress is hard for me to see. At times I felt weaker than when I started. However, I have had progress in areas I did not expect. My balance has improved dramatically. It has helped my chronic neck and back pain. I look forward to seeing what continued consistently will bring.

MichailiaMay 2026

The last eight weeks have been incredible! I achieved so many goals and feel like a new person! I started feeling like all the goals were so far away from achievable and struggling through the week one workout barely able to jog the thirty second intervals on a walk/jog. I now can run a whole mile!! My deadhangs started at about 5seconds and now I can hold over thirty, do scapular pull ups, lift my knees five times for skin the cat prep, and do the reverse pull ups! I am incredibly proud! I could only struggle through knee pushups at the beginning and now I can do the whole variety of pushups and planks from week 7&8 without modification! My splits couldn’t touch the tallest side of a block and now I can go all the way to them on their side! I can do handstands against the wall and back bends walking down the wall! I feel so empowered!! First sword combo: (I wanted to record another one later on but ran out of time and I had so much fun with this one) Deadhang challenge:

TeaganMay 2026

Wow, I cannot believe we are here! Final day of Week 8 & now my submission for Quest VIII. This has been such an amazing time with my fellow riders as well as our competition. 😉 This program has made me feel so strong and badass like I can conquer anything. It has let me feel like I’m on my way to being one of my badass FMC that I look up to (Nesta/Violet/Bryce). I have worked a lot on my form during dragon riders and even though it doesn’t seem like I’ve come a long way I see the little wins and those matter too ❤️‍🔥

RenMay 2026

All other challenges have been completed and here’s the final one! ⚔️🥷🌿 ⚔️Sword Combo 1🌿 While I am for sure a daggers girly - this quest is about improvements so… while I still have a ton of room for growth, Im pretty proud of how much more natural these movements are looking and feeling with the sword since week one to now. I also started out the Quests with sword combo 1 so it makes sense to end there as well. The sword combos ended up being really challenging for me - somehow I end up with extra arms and the ground is wobbly? I'm really excited to keep training these and the other combos though. There's nothing quite like the feeling of swinging a sword around and I am quite addicted now! 🌿Skill Challenge⚔️ I feel like it may be a bit anticlimactic but the skill that Ive most improved and really am most excited about is splits. I've struggled for a long time with splits and have wanted to improve them for many reasons. It might not look like much but Ive gotten a little over an inch deeper compared to where I started. It's super inspiring for me personally because this was the improvement made in 8 weeks - what's that improvement going to look like in 8 MONTHS with the same consistency? As far as an overall reflection, Assassin Training has deeply inspired me - to move and gain strength and balance, but also to embrace my creativity and to show up in a community to support and cheer on my guildmates and others. Honestly, finding this community has been the biggest win in my life for a minute now. I’m so grateful to have found the Forge and for all the amazing, badass women I’ve been able to meet and get to know. Excited to see what the future holds! 🥰🌿

JenniferMay 2026

After doing these videos the past 8 weeks, I’ve realized it’s not about the number on the scale that reflects strength or how I look at myself positively. I am really proud of my progress even though I cannot do a full pull up or hand stand but I am certainly much closer to my goals. I am also so impressed that I can do a proper split squat all the way to the floor. That’s not something I was able to do months ago. I am so grateful for this program because I play the videos in front of my 3 kids but mostly my 3 year old daughter and she not only sees what her mother is capable of but she joins in on the fun. My sons have enjoyed watching me make every quest challenge video and have been my biggest fans. I want them to know that strength and power will always be better than being skinny. Lastly, I memorized a sword combo. I cannot even remember what I wore yesterday! I’ve made this challenge a priority and showed up to every video and really tried doing every skill and had fun doing it all. Can’t wait for the next one!

DayMay 2026

I've had so much fun being a dragon rider! I still have a week of training left (surgery kinda halted me for two weeks), but I've felt myself get stronger both physically and mentally. I'm glad to have a morning routine I look forward to every day now! My most improved skill has been the splits, I have really tight hip flexors and hamstrings so getting to where I have is a major improvement. Also I found sword combo 2 really fun!

NatMay 2026

I chose to repeat Lunar Rise right after completing it the first time, and while the progress was less explosive than the first round, I loved growing with it all the same. I started the challenge hoping I would accomplish all the skills challenges—weapons, dancing, handstands, headstands, splits. I was a little discouraged this week to reflect that none of the challenges ended up where I’d hoped. I still can’t do a handstand, my fluid movement is still, well, not always fluid. But each skill did grow, and I can do all of it better than I could when this double Lunar Rise journey started in January. I can finally do that behind-the-back staff toss I pulled a muscle attempting last round. I can get my legs onto my arms in the beginning of a headstand. Those handstand walks don’t absolutely murder me on Mondays anymore. This second round has been a humbling and necessary reminder that real growth takes a LOT of time and effort, and I like to think those skills I continue to chase will feel like even more of a triumph when I finally do achieve them. Thank you for making the ascent with me! 🌙💙