The Anchor Method, located in Kentfield, takes a new approach to fitness by prioritizing both physical and mental health. At just 25 years old, Emily Switzer has created a gym that emphasizes confidence, connection and well-being for the audience of teen girls.

Switzer has always wanted to share the importance of mental health and found that physical fitness strongly supports it. Throughout Switzers’ teenage years, she found herself struggling with mental health.

“My harder years were middle and high school. Growing up, I obviously had really good memories and moments, but I think that it is a difficult time to be a teenager, and I don’t think there are enough mentors out there for girls from that 12 to 19 year old range,” Switzer said.

She experienced adjusting to a new lifestyle from moving to California from Indiana, and additionally struggling with friendships. One thing that helped her through hardships was getting her body moving. Her love for exercise and spreading awareness for mental health led her to pursue building a gym for teenagers.

“To me, creating that community was something that I always wanted to do, and it doesn’t even feel like work. It’s really fun to work with the girls,” Switzer said.

Focusing on mental health and fitness, Switzer was determined to find a way to combine the two. This goal led her to opening The Anchor Method, one that offers teen-based classes, ranging from ages 12 to 19. At The Anchor Method, the teen group classes consist of a 45-minute workout that is centered around partner-based exercises, followed by a cool off with 15 minutes of journaling and stretching.

Switzer explained how journaling is a key part of the experience.

“[There are] journals that we keep [at the gym] for the girls, so they’ll grab their journals, pens, yoga mats, and then I always have a different prompt. Each month I go through different prompt focuses, [along with] questions. Sometimes they just write [individually], or sometimes they share with their partners or as a group,” Switzer said.

Not only does this provide time for self-reflection, Switzer has noticed significant changes to clients’ confidence and attitude after coming to multiple sessions.

“I would say a lot of the girls that typically come to classes are not as confident in their bodies or in their abilities. The classes and the journaling definitely instill that confidence in them. A lot of the girls come in pretty shy and quiet, and even by the end of just one class, it’s awesome to see them slowly start to open up and be willing to share a little bit more, even [if it’s] just communicating with their partner. Some of these girls have been with me for three years, middle school to high school. Not only are they lifting a lot heavier, but their body awareness is more there, and their confidence; when they walk in the door, they’re just like I own this place, this is my safe place, I feel confident here,” Switzer said.

Junior Maggie Chang, has been regularly attending the gym since October 2025. Chang continues to enjoy her time at The Anchor Method because of the nontraditional merging of mental and physical health, making it so enjoyable that it doesn’t even feel like a workout.

“I really like the mindfulness and the wind down at the end, but also we do different exercises to keep it interesting [while focusing] on working out different parts of the body. I always found that [the classes] pass by really quickly, [without even noticing] time passed until it’s already over,” Chang said.

Chang also feels the environment created by Switzer has really made a difference in her gym experience. Switzer’s encouragement and effort to create a community among the other teens does not go unnoticed.

“I think one of [Switzer’s] goals is really getting to know her students. [This connection] helps her understand our situation better. I think she’s really trying to not just teach us as an instructor, but also be friends with us,” Chang said.

To other students, Switzer hopes everyone that attends her gym leaves feeling confident and empowered, two values that are very important to her. These values are echoed throughout all classes, and Switzer aims to have these messages carried beyond just the gym walls.

“Continuing to build community outside of the space and the confidence that has been grown within them, [I want] that to carry [with them] for the rest of their lives into adulthood,” Switzer said. “A lot of times we get so caught up in the little stuff in middle school and high school, but seeing beyond that and remembering who they are will be really big and giving that to other people.”