Single Mom Ariel Williams Finds Community, Healing In Training At D1 Atascocita | D1 Daily

Joining a gym is a common way for people to rebuild confidence and improve themselves physically. But for Ariel Williams, joining D1 Atascocita became so much more.

“I wanted to go to a gym where I could have more confidence within myself. Being a single mom and also grieving the loss of my daughter's father in 2022, I just wanted to build my confidence and get back to loving myself again,” she said.

She first came to D1 in 2024 and had goals of gaining weight, muscle and strength. Since then, she's gained 30 pounds, six pounds of muscle and improved her bench press from just over five pounds to over 100.

Even with the physical progress, Williams said the most important part of her D1 journey has been the time spent with her daughter.

“She runs the place,” she said. “She'll run with me, she does sled pushes with me… she will do her cute little push ups with me. She's there with me all the time, and all the coaches know her name. She'll even hop in the class too. She'll stand on the line with us ready to go like she is training too, but it's the cutest thing.”

Williams said the community of D1 Atascocita helped her break out of her “anti-social shell” and helped her express who she is. She said the Atascocita culture is defined by encouragement and honesty and that culture has made its way into her family.

“It actually trickles down to me being a mother and me being honest and opening up to my daughter about how we feel,” she said. “My daughter encourages me. She's only four years old, but she encourages me and wants me to do better, and she'll tell me that she loves me and she'll tell me that I'm strong. So, what she sees and hears at the gym, she brings it home. She's my pride and joy.”