43, Personal Trainer & Instructor at Germantown Athletic Club

MY WORKOUT: 

I enjoy learning silks at High Expectations Aerial and Circus Arts! I joined about three years ago, not expecting to find a new passion, but the experience has been so great that I got my own rig, silks, and lyra so I can work out at home, too. 

BIGGEST NUTRITION MYTH: 

It’s a myth that reaching our goals requires constant restriction or sacrifice. Our bodies and minds need rest, be it a day off from workouts or a few months of eating at a maintenance level. 

MY TYPICAL WORKOUT DAY: 

I always begin with a dynamic joint mobility warm-up and end with static stretching. My workouts vary, but I like to pick a skill or muscle group to focus on for 8-12 weeks. 

MY ADVICE: 

Be gentle with yourself, especially if you are recovering from anything. It took time to get to this point in the journey, and it’ll take time to get to the next. 

MY FITNESS TIP: 

Do what you enjoy with people you like. Joining a community makes a huge difference in our ability to make progress. 

IF I COULD ONLY HAVE ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT: 

A pull-up bar. 

MY FITNESS IDOL: 

My senior clients are 100% my idols! I love their stories, how active they are, and how they constantly grow and improve. 

DREAM WORKOUT PARTNER: 

Jen Thompson. She’s a 50-year-old middle school teacher and mom who holds several bench press world records. Everyone always seems to have a blast when they train with her. 

GO-TO SNACK: 

Greek yogurt and granola. 

MY DIET: 

I follow a Renaissance Periodization-style program. I chose them for my nutrition certification because I like the lack of restriction, their emphasis on fueling the body, and the need to spend time eating at a maintenance level. 

WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED: 

My husband and daughter are the best. They make sure I believe I can do anything, and they’ll support me through whatever new, weird thing I’m interested in learning. 

SETBACKS: 

In 2011, my son was stillborn, and the experience caused a lot of health issues for me, including triggering an autoimmune disease. I had an 8-unit blood transfusion and two surgeries to repair internal damage. I was a martial arts instructor at the time, and the rehab journey was difficult and long. But I’m happy to say I took that and turned it into a career helping others! I think having the experience of knowing you need to move to not hurt, but it hurts to move, really helps me understand what my clients are going through. 

Are you a fitness trainer, workout instructor, or influencer in the industry and would love to share your knowledge with our readers? Send a brief bio and picture to: [email protected]. 

Photo by Tindall Stephens