Meet Kate Donahugh Lay | Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Donahugh Lay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago. My parents are health nuts and threw me in just about every sport available at a young age. With the intention as I got older to start picking and choosing what I really liked. That for me became Irish dancing. I started at the ripe age of 5 for fun and as I progressed that “just for fun” mentality morphed into full blown competition and traveling the world. Ireland, England and Scotland became regular stamps on my passport but behind the glitz, glam and trophies was truly my favorite part… hard work and dedication to my craft. The countless hours of practice, bloody feet and cramping muscles was not always the most attractive option but I loved the grind. I loved the challenge and pushing my body to its limits. That being said, I fell victim to the ever common eating disorders that plague the dance world. I was full blown anorexic by the age of 15. The quest of perfection in every way consumed me.

Fast forward to 2024… 37 almost 38 years old as I sit in this interview, I am proud of what I have created in Noir Personal Training. The fitness world parallels the dance world in many ways and I strive to create an environment where people feel empowered, strong and appreciate what their bodies can do. Perfection as I found out is unattainable and it isn’t fair to hold ourselves to that mark. It took me a long time to be comfortable with what I’m about to say but who cares what size you are, how much you weigh or how skinny you look in a picture. At Noir I don’t weigh or measure my clients, instead we track progress based on a different set of numbers… strength and how you feel. I find steering away from weight and inches takes the pressure off and we can focus on the work. The work to get you to look and feel your best. I still very much love the work and the grind and my training style definitely reflects that, I just have found a much healthier outlook now and want to instill that in my clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my career as a personal trainer at the age of 24. I had no idea what I was doing or if I could even make a living as a trainer but I was ready to try. Being a personal trainer I’ll admit sounds a lot more glamorous than it is.. we don’t just play in a gym all day haha. The 4:30am alarm is still abrupt 14 years later.

I started my career at Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) in Chicago’s South Loop and moved to Equinox The Loop until coming back to FFC 8 years later. I didn’t know what my training style was or who my ideal client was so I watched the incredibly talented trainers around me and tried to absorb as much information as I could. The trainers I had the opportunity to learn from shaped the trainer I am today.

The story behind Noir… Noir is as mysterious as it sounds and it is anything you want it do be. With the edge of crossfit and a backbone in body building yet the softness of yoga Noir is all encompassing. From humble beginnings out of my car on a sidewalk in downtown Chicago to a garage in my hometown of River Forest we have come a long way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am the epitome of a Chicago gal right down to my accent ha! My husband and I live with our 2 dogs in Wicker Park, a neighborhood of Chicago. I’d start the day at the lake… you cannot beat paddle boarding on Lake Michigan with the skyline behind you. From there I’d hit a yoga class at Zen Yoga Garage, my home away from home during my yoga certification. Grab my pups for a long walk and shopping in Wicker Park/ Bucktown and coffee at Colectivo. Dinner at Aba is an absolute must … so much so I got married there. Finishing the night at our neighborhood bar Bangers and Lace for a drink.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give the credit to my parents. They are the reason I was able to take the leap, leave a corporate job and pursue a career in fitness. Then I took it one step further, leaving the big box gym to open my own business in the middle of a global pandemic. Without their nudge and confidence that I could do this Noir would never have existed. I am forever grateful.

Instagram: @noir_personal_training