I always knew I wanted to do either one of two things when I was a little kid: become a professional dancer or help people. Finding a way to do both has been both a blessing and a gift to give back to others.

While the stereotypical “I started dance at the age of three thing” seems contrived nowadays, it kind of is my truth. I grew up with severe ADD/ADHD and my parents needed something to keep me stimulated and out of trouble. Low and behold, dance class. I would then spend the next twenty something years not only moving and grooving in the studios, on the stage and outdoors, but also honing in on understanding the body — inside and out.

The professional dance life is far from glamorous and pristine — injuries, eating disorders, long, grueling rehearsal hours and travel, cattle calls, audition after audition, little sleep and little money. I knew that while I continued to dance, I wanted to share some important life lessons and education with others. I needed to have another space to teach and educate outside studio walls.

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with honors in English and a minor in dance.

I then chose to pursue my continuing education at the Academy of Personal Training (AAPT) which is affiliated with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) where I spent over 500 hours in class and hands-on/practicum work. We learn everything from anatomy and physiology to biomechanics, nutrition, and hands on techniques. I wanted to be able to work with an instructor both in class and on the floor. 

This allowed me to develop another key ingredient in my training practice: working with the injured population. As a dancer, I have experienced a lot of painful injuries over the earlier years of my career — tear in the ACL and groin, fractured sesamoid, broken ankle — I wanted to actually understand how the body operates and how to safely move in order to prevent future injuries or tweaks. And I did just that. 

From there, I never stop learning and practicing. Between my formal education with dance, personal training and university, my training methods focus on proper alignment and body awareness combined with high intensity workouts. More importantly, we will always focus on injury prevention and facilitated stretching. 

Having battled and survived anorexia nervosa, my training philosophy is so, so much more than “getting into shape” and it should not only include nutrition and exercising, but also developing a positive mindset and outlook on life. Training should be fun, sweaty, mindful AND educational. That’s what you will receive as we work together.