I am a fitness advocate, enthusiast and lover.
That’s what I spend a majority of my day doing, but who I am is a person who values God, my family, friends, serving the community and leaving a legacy in this world. I am strong, sensitive, reliable and a giver.
I was an only child growing up, and only grandchild on my mom’s side until I was 26. My mom had me really young and we lived with her parents until I was 12. I didn’t meet my dad or my 3 half siblings until I was almost 27. I went to a small, private catholic school for most of my youth until high school. I was super involved in extracurricular activates like dance, soccer, basketball, band, choir, cheerleading and gymnastics, but I always stuck with dance. I had a passion for being on stage and expressing myself through movement.
Growing up, I lived on a street in almost the middle of nowhere with hardly any kids close by to play with. I envied neighborhoods with playgrounds and cul-de-sacs where kids could run around and play freely. This led me to playing by myself often (which as a kid comes somewhat naturally). I could entertain myself for hours, but there’s always that basic need of human connection, the desire to be close to others. A child needs some attention or other individual to entertain them. This, I believe, is what’s made me more of an extrovert today and developed my passion for working with people. I enjoy engaging and interacting with others.
I was involved in plenty of activities and sports but there were still that need to have someone to play with at home. In high school I was homeschooled starting my sophomore year so I could focus on ballet. I danced from the time I could walk until I was 19. It was my dream to be a professional ballerina as my first career, but that’s not what God had intended.
After I stopped dancing I needed to find something to replace the 30+ hours/week of extreme physical activity I was doing. I joined a gym, took some classes and became friends with trainers who showed me the ropes. A few years later I decided to go back and get my Masters in Sports and Exercise Science – Applied Exercise Physiology. It wasn’t until my second to last semester of graduate school that I knew what I wanted to pursue as a job. Being a former athlete, I interned at Spectrum Sports Performance (SSP). I’ve always loved serving, helping outreach in my church and volunteering. Fitness was a way where I could serve people for a living. I found my new passion after dance.
After my internship I was hired at SSP. Although the internship was working with athletes and sports teams, they had a need for general fitness clientele. I learned the art of functionally training people and how to entertain them at the same time.
I moved to North Carolina to pursue a great personal training opportunity with Empower in 2013. I connected with anyone, and everyone I could. Whether I was handed a client with type A personality or type B I would find a way to relate to them and connect. I’ve built relationships with people that will last a lifetime. My clients trust me, and we learn from each other. They look forward to coming to see me (minus the torturous exercising part) and most have said it’s the highlight of their day.
I can work with athletes: anything from golf or tennis specific workouts, to kids, older adults, and everything in between. I love it all. One thing that I’ve always tried to do in my personal training environment is creating FUN. Empower nicknamed me the CFO: Chief Fun Officer. I always bring energy to the studio. When I’m not around it’s quiet and people notice.
What I do every day makes a difference in people lives. I help my clients with desk jobs maintain better posture and not end up hunched over. I keep my older clients able enough to play on the floor with their grandchildren, and get my females strong enough to lift their suitcase up on the airplane without any assistance. I help my runners train for 100-mile races. I teach my high schoolers proper workout technique and what it means to be healthy and fit. Those are just the physical side of things.
All in all, I help people live the life they want to live, and I do this while having FUN. If we don’t enjoy something in life we will eventually stop doing it. The activities we are involved in consistently are things we enjoy. My role is to help you be the best you can be and have fun doing it.
If fitness isn’t fun, I will find a way to make it enjoyable for you.
