I started seriously lifting at 40 (yes, I built all of my muscle in my 40’s and 50’s), over 10 years ago. Prior to that, I always wanted to be “skinny.” I over-cardioed and/or underate for my teens and twenties. I went to acupuncture school at age 30, and my relationship to food and to my body started to change, though it would take the entirety of my 30’s to really move past all of the negative conditioning around body image and food.

In my mid(ish)-40’s I decided to start Powerlifting competitively. And I loved it! I loved seeing how strong I was. Learning more about being in my body. I started getting serious about food – tracking macros in order to grow muscle, cut fat, or maintain. And I found that I was able to do a 12-week “cut” (aka diet) without getting obsessive. I stopped (and was happy to stop) when the 12 weeks was over. I was comfortable doing a “mass” aka putting on weight. I loved my body for what it was capable of, not for what it looked like.

I no longer spend time on the treadmill, elliptical, etc. (But if you enjoy doing so, I will absolutely support you in that – as long as it’s a healthy relationship.) I walk – outside – (with my dog) for 2 hours every day. Up hills, on flat terrain. And I connect with what’s around me. I dance. These things are now my cardio – and they are things I enjoy doing.

My goal is to help you have a healthy relationship with yourself. With your body. This includes accepting your body for where it’s at every day – because we are different every day. Some days I feel super strong, and others not so much. But I remain in gratitude that my body continues to be capable of so much. My goal is also to help you find things that you (gasp) actually enjoy for your fitness! Does this mean you will love split squats in your routine? Probably not. I still despise them – but I do them because they help me with balance, range of motion, and keeping the two sides of my body equalized. And after I finish them, I feel such a sense of accomplishment. Humans evolved by doing hard things. We grow (literally and metaphorically) through challenges.

There is no cookie cutter approach. I will listen to you, and design an appropriate fitness plan for your desires and needs. (Want to grow muscle? Great! Want to be stronger? Great! Want to be more conditioned? Great! Want to halt or prevent osteopenia? Great! THIS IS ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT!) And we will change it along the way. I will help you to understand why we are doing things a certain way, so you can be on board with your plan – and not just doing it “because.”

I am here to support you. To listen to you. To be your partner. To help you feel empowered, strong, capable, and fit. And to help you heal your relationship with your body. And to help your body be healthy for the long game.