31, PT EMS trainer at Manduu

FAV WAY TO WORKOUT:

I like to do any type of cardio or HIIT workout.

BIGGEST FITNESS MYTH:

The more you sweat during a workout, the harder the workout is.

BIGGEST NUTRITION MYTH:

Carbs are bad for you. Carbs are essential to your diet, especially if you are doing a HIIT workout. Your body needs those carbs for fuel.

MY TYPICAL WORKOUT DAY:

Depending on the day, a typical workout day is leaving work, getting a 15-minute workout in a Manduu, and then going to my cycling or kickboxing class.

WHAT IS THE MOST OVERLOOKED BODY PART:

I’d say back and shoulders for women and glutes for me.

IF I COULD ONLY HAVE ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT:

A yoga mat or a treadmill.

ALWAYS IN MY GYM BAG:

A change of clothes and a protein shake or bar.

MY FITNESS IDOL:

Allyson Felix

DREAM WORKOUT PARTNER:

Billy Blanks. I watched all the Tae Bo videos growing up, and he always made class look really fun.

MY DIET:

I pretty much eat whatever I want, except for not eating chicken, beef, or pork. I always preach to anyone that will listen, anything in moderation.

ONE FOOD I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

Ice cream. I really don’t have a sweet tooth, but ice cream is my guilty pleasure! Whenever I’ve had a stressful day, or it’s 100 degrees here in Memphis, ice cream always makes me feel better!

MY GO-TO SNACK:

Lightly salted almonds or apple slices with almond butter.

SETBACKS:

Enrolling in grad school while managing a fitness studio full-time. For me, this was a setback because I was super stressed, so I started eating more and working out less. I had to choose between writing a paper for class or working out. This made me stronger because I was able to push through the semester, take a step back, and learn how to balance everything. I’m now halfway through school, and I’ve started a new full-time position at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as a Wellness Coordinator. I’ve learned to have a healthy school, work, and self-care life, balance.

WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED:

Having a holistic lifestyle. I’ve never liked the idea of taking any type of medication. A lot of cardiovascular diseases can sometimes be prevented if you take care of yourself by living a healthy lifestyle. So, being able to live life without any preventable illnesses is what keeps me motivated.

GOALS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD:

I want to be the healthiest I can be without overworking my body.

Photo by Tindall Stephens