My commitment to exercise and fitness has been a lifelong devotion, beginning with my days as a competitive gymnast though my childhood and teen years. Growing up, my family life stressed the fun and benefits of physical activity, and I grew up believing that being active was an essential component to life. Simply, exercise has always been a part of my life, and the benefits of strength and performance are ingrained in my thinking. 

As a young adult, my passion for physiology and science led me to a B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where I graduated with honors. 

Upon completion of my degree, my passion for fitness and sport and my interest in exercise physiology continued to grow, and my life’s path led me to the decision to share my enthusiasm for fitness and wellness with others as an educator and personal trainer. 

The foundation of my training philosophy is core (or mid-section) strength, from which all movement originates. My belief is that core strength is the base from which strength emanates, and I incorporate this philosophy into the training of all of my clients. In addition I view “strength” as a multi-dimensional combination of fitness, good nutrition and positive state of mind. I believe that these two factors have been key to my clients’ satisfaction and to my success as a personal trainer. 

My certifications include: NPTI Certified Personal Trainer, NPTI Certified Nutritional Consultant, NSCA-CPT, AFAA group fitness and CPR/AED/first aid certification. NPTI (National Personal Training Institute) is a six-month personal training certification program. The curriculum includes detailed instruction on client evaluation and exercise program design, anatomy, physiology and nutrition. NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) is a nationally accredited certification that is considered a gold-standard certification in personal training. AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) is among the largest group of fitness educators nationwide. Additionally, I continually further my education and research to keep up with the latest exercise trends, medical research and nutritional findings. 

I have worked as a Personal Trainer as well as a Group Fitness Instructor. In addition, I have served as a practical instructor — teaching students to be personal trainers. And, I still teach group fitness classes at XSport Fitness in Chicago. 

I have completed the Heartland AIDS ride (500 miles in 6 days), numerous half marathons and the Chicago Marathon. I continue to pursue athletic goals and, recreationally, I enjoy core training, yoga, spinning, pilates, plyometrics and resistance training.