I’m from a small town called South Dayton, NY, and graduated from Pine Valley Central in 2003. I’m a Brockport University class of 2007 alum, graduating with a degree in Exercise Physiology. I’m married and the mother of 2 boys — Quintin, age 5, and Archer, age 3.
What is your history with the health & wellness/fitness world? How has your trajectory brought you to where you are today?
I always played sports growing up. From softball, volleyball, basketball, and even football with the boys. I went to college with the hopes of being an athletic trainer. I fell in love with anatomy, physiology and exercise science. I did my internship in cardiac rehab and decided that the fitness world was more my style.
I began personal training at the BAC for Women in 2008. I started as the assistant aerobics director and eventually became the Personal Training director. In 2015, I moved onto Catalyst Fitness and that was my home for the next 3 years. I taught several classes including HIIT, Tabata, TRX, and spinning. From there I started my own health coaching business.
What is your primary role at SWEAT? How long have you been with the studio? Where else do you instruct, if anywhere? What is your major area of expertise?
I mainly train clients at SWEAT in our personal training program. I teach TRX on Tuesdays afternoons. I love training clients of all ages and abilities. Over the last 12 years I’ve trained athletes, adolescents, elderly, disabled, and figure competitors.
Do you have a particular ethos about health & wellness/fitness that you wish to share or that would be inspirational to someone coming into the world with no prior knowledge or experience?
A lot of clients come to the gym to lose weight. For me it’s not about weight loss as a number one priority. I find that I have to get most clients ”well,” before they can get ”fit.” So, my philosophy in fitness is very encompassing of many factors. Sleep, stress, and nutrition all play a huge role.
Do you have any tips/tricks you can share on how to succeed in reaching personal health & wellness/fitness goals? What are some best practices you’ve developed or witnessed in your time as an instructor? Some of the biggest or most common mistakes one makes when embarking on this journey?
My tip is just find your “why” and be consistent. Why do you want to work out? Why do you want to get healthy? If you get healthy and lose weight, what will that do for you? I have learned to meet clients where they’re at. Ask lots of questions, listen, and be there for them on their journey. A common misstep I see a lot of people make is trying to make a lot of changes all at once. These habits didn’t start overnight; they won’t all be conquered the first day, either.
Do you have any other words of wisdom or advice you can share with people considering a new fitness journey in 2020?
Go into the new year 2020 with 20/20 vision. Have goals, have a strong why, get with SWEAT 716 and you will reach your goals!