About me

I got started in the fitness world as a young adult teaching group fitness classes. After several years of this, I grasped how much individual attention people actually need to dial in exercise effectively for themselves. Classes, which can be so beneficial and fun, just aren’t the ideal way to deliver that level of coaching to people; one-on-one training is. That’s why I decided to become a personal trainer and completed my certification in 2011.

I love this job because everybody is different and requires a different blend of technical precision, gritty intensity, motivation and therapeutic input. I love to learn about each client’s unique needs, goals and learning styles. This sets us up to not only train safely, but also troubleshoot fitness and wellness within their lives, and collaborate on a plan that moves them toward the life they want. It’s a privilege to support people in this way.

My ideal client knows that training is self-care, is perhaps open to learning more on the science side, likes to laugh, and will put the work in and be patient with themselves.

I most often help clients with strength training for healthy aging, returning to strength training and conditioning after a pause, learning the basics of safe training, fat loss and mobility improvement. Want to get leaner? We can work on that. But I’m every bit as eager to help someone who wants to get stronger and more mobile, or perhaps train for an event, without a body composition goal. I will make you feel comfortable where you are but will also encourage you to push yourself harder.

My patience, non-judgmental attitude and sense of fun keep clients engaged. We all can change habits, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It gives me so much satisfaction to see people achieve consistency, improve form, get stronger, feel and look better while learning for themselves what it takes to get there.

Specialties

Endurance and strength training, injury prevention, rehabilitation, weight loss, muscle gain, boot camps and confidence building.

Philosophy

It’s never too late to start. Consistency is key, and learning to have a little fun while you’re at it helps a lot with that. I wish more people knew how much confidence and self-efficacy is built through a positive training relationship. Not only are you learning how to do exercises correctly and with enough intensity to stimulate the desired changes, but you’re doing this—on good days and bad—with a trainer who holds you in unconditional high regard and celebrates your successes. It’s an uplift that serves you in the rest of your life.

When I first walked myself through the door of a gym as a deconditioned young adult, I felt all the intimidation of entering that space as an outsider. It means so much to me to be able to create a safe space for clients who feel some of that same discomfort. Once you feel safe, you can feel the excitement of starting a transformative process!

Outside the gym

Originally from Olympia and Seattle, I love exploring the Olympic mountains with my family every summer. I have a young niece and nephew and enjoy spending time with them and seeing what kind of fun new moves they’re working on. I enjoy Olympic lifting (so far, not while out in the Olympics) and, thanks to those old group fitness days, step aerobics. I’ve always been big on naps. I now live in Portland with my partner, his dog and her big personality. We go to lots of concerts, camp, hike and road trip. And I’ve been known to do some karaoke with friends. Out in Portland’s western hills, I’m expanding my domestic skills into beginner gardening.