39, Group Fitness Instructor at Cordova YMCA and Nurse Practitioner at Stern Cardiovascular

MY WORKOUT

My workout is whatever class I’m teaching that day. I teach a variety of classes from Les Mills BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, and BODYFLOW to Pilates and PiYo. Cross-training is very important and never boring!

MY LOVE FOR FITNESS

My mom taught Jazzercise and I attended her classes when I was in kindergarten. I started teaching step and kickboxing at my church at age 18 and never stopped. I worked at a children’s weight loss camp in California throughout my twenties and met Billy Blanks (creator of Taebo) and other fitness celebrities. My dream is to one day open my own family weight loss camp with a focus on spiritual fitness.

BIGGEST FITNESS MYTH

That you have to overexert yourself every workout. Working out can be gentle at first. The more you move and get in better shape, you will begin to naturally push yourself to go harder or faster because you’ll find that it’s FUN! Sometimes you have to push yourself to see how far you can go and what you might accomplish. The key is listening to your body and knowing the difference between when you’re simply pushing yourself to go a little more, as opposed to overexerting yourself too much too soon.

MY DIET

I eat anything, but I limit sugar and flour.

BIGGEST NUTRITION MYTH

That sugar is okay! Even if we only give it to our kids on “special occasions”, it’s still too much.

MOST OVERLOOKED BODY PART

A long, straight spine. Work those “antislouch muscles!”

FAVORITE EQUIPMENT

My favorite moves and exercises don’t involve equipment, just your own body, and a fun spirit of willingness. Breathe, smile, and be able to laugh at yourself!

ALWAYS IN MY GYM BAG

Diapers! The amazing YMCA childcare workers have helped me raise my babies from birth!

MY FITNESS IDOL

Chalene Johnson (creator of Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire) because she perfectly combined athleticism and dance to create killer workouts.

MY DREAM WORKOUT PARTNER

Hands down Beth Moore. She use to be a group fitness instructor before she became a famous author and Bible teacher. I would love to be her workout buddy!

MY MOTIVATION

My family. I have a handsome hubby, Bruce, and we have three children ages 2 to 6. I want them to enjoy food, but I also want them to live in “right-sized bodies”. It’s not about vanity, but sanity, not to mention injury prevention, feeling better, and just avoiding a lot of pain in life! I also believe with all my heart that you will never be physically fit until you are spiritually fit.

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Photo by Tindall Stephens