Certifications:
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Alloy Certified for Group Training

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
My favorite thing about being a trainer is helping people to reach their goals. Whether it be strength gains, losing weight, or just moving better, I am here to help.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
There are many forms of what people consider being fit. You do not have to fit into a particular form to be fit or continue a fitness goal. It’s all about being happy and continuing to push towards your goals.

Areas of interest:
My main areas of interest are strength and muscular gains a well as helping reach performance goals.

Favorite exercise:
Anything back related; Lat Pull Downs, Dumbbell Rows, etc.

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
I love spending time with my dogs, playing video games and watching the latest shows.

One interesting fact about you:
I started exercising as a stress relief and it developed into a passion and career.

Certifications:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science and Wellness

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
Building a bond with all my clients and having the opportunity to help others reach their goals, then seeing their excitement when they do reach them.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
That you don’t necessarily need to just lift weights to gain muscle.

Areas of interest:
Strength and Conditioning

Favorite exercise:
Incline Dumbbell Press

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
Watching and playing basketball as well as working out.

One interesting fact about you:
I played division 3 college basketball.

Certifications:
AAFA Group Fitness
LesMills Body Combat and Body Pump
NETA Pilates and Reformer
NETA Personal Training
Barre Intensity
Silver Sneakers

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
My favorite thing about my job is getting to know the diverse amount of people and watching them grow and learn and feel good about themselves. Everyone should love themselves more than anything. Being healthy makes that easier!

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
I wish everyone knew that Fitness can be FUN. you just need to take the time to find out what is fun for you!

Areas of interest:
Strength Training, Group Exercise, Barre, Pilates Reformer

Favorite exercise:
Plank, no better core stability training exercise!

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
Outside of Fitness I enjoy socializing with friends and family and spending with my Granddaughter and two adult daughters. I also enjoy traveling the beautiful United States!

One interesting fact about you:
Other interesting facts include being an Allstar cheer coach for over 20 years, competing all over the country getting interviewed by ESPN AND Fox sports net. Winning Dallas and worlds and having my cheerleaders and athletes cheer for many college teams, pro teams, the United States team, and soon to be the Olympic team!

Certifications:
ACE Personal Trainer Certification
200 Hour Power Yoga Certification
Russian Kettlebell Certification (RKC)

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
Teaching people the truths concerning health/fitness and helping them achieve realistic goals.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
Fitness is a life long pursuit that requires a long term approach.

Areas of interest:
Movement and Mobility, Functional Bodybuilding, Bodyweight, Kettlebells, Yoga and Golf Specific Exercises

Favorite exercise:
Glute Ham Raise paired with a Pigeon Stretchs

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
Eat, sleep, and read.

One interesting fact about you:
I really enjoy to golf in my free time.

Certifications:
MS Exercise Physiology
NSCA-CPT
USATF-level 1
FMS-level 1

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
Helping everyone achieve their best self.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
Workouts should always feel fun, switch up routine if needed.

Areas of interest:
Human Performance Optimization, Athletic Performance, Strength and Conditioning

Favorite exercise:
Running

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
I enjoy time with friends and family. I coach High School Cross Country and Track. I also enjoy trying out new restaurants.

One interesting fact about you:
Despite running in college, distance running was not my strongest athletic ability.

Certifications:
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
I love seeing the growth in my clients and being able to celebrate the wins in their wellness journey!

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
Everyone started somewhere! We tend to play the comparison game with those we see around us, or on our social media pages, and we forget that the people we see as "goals" had to start somewhere! We all have a beginning in our journey to wellness, and all you have to do is start!

Areas of interest:
I am all about the strength training! I'd love to someday specialize in prenatal and postnatal exercise!

Favorite exercise:
I love training core! If you have a strong core, everything else will follow.

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
I enjoy time with my husband and kiddos! We are very active in our church's community and children's ministries.

One interesting fact about you:
I am from North Carolina! I grew up going to the ocean on a regular basis, and I am a Summer person!

Certifications:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology, IUPUI
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
My favorite thing about being a trainer is when my clients tell me about all of the positive changes they are noticing in the gym and in their daily lives from our training sessions. It is fulfilling to know that as a trainer I am making such a positive impact in peoples’ lives both physically and mentally.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
I wish that people knew that everyone is able to engage in some form of exercise or physical activity. All movement is able to be modified to safely and effectively fit your current physical circumstances and fitness goals.

Areas of interest:
Strength/hypertrophy Training, Mobility/Joint Health & Improvement, Older Adult Training (As well as training of all ages) and training that resembles activities of daily living.

Favorite exercise:
Push ups & pull ups, any exercise using a kettlebell.

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
I love to cook and bake. I love going to coffee shops and trying various types of espresso. I like to go to new restaurants around NWI, Chicago, and wherever I travel trying all types of cuisine.

One interesting fact about you:
I played basketball for 13+ years. One of my lifelong dreams is to go to culinary school.

Certifications:
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
AFAA Primary Group Fitness Instructor
G.E.A.R. Indoor Cycling Instructor
Barre Intensity Instructor
Les Mills Body Pump
Les Mills Body Combat

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
Helping clients find a successful & enjoyable workout routine that fits & evolves with their lifestyle.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
Exercise is medicine. Movement can create amazing changes in a person’s physical, emotional & mental states.

Areas of interest:
Strength & conditioning for a healthy lifestyle.

Favorite exercise:
Anything with kettlebells! I love the versatility.

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
Travel - I love discovering new places, foods & cultures.

One interesting fact about you:
I have an engineering degree & used to work in the Petroleum Industry.

Certifications:
ACE
Les Mills Body Flow
Matt Pilates
IMX Pilates Reformer

Favorite thing about being a trainer:
I love what I do, so I try to work my clients hard while having fun in the process.

One thing I wish everyone knew about fitness:
You do not have to be perfect! Start out slow, even if you only exercise 15 minutes a day. I am a strong supporter of group fitness classes; you are literally surrounded by people who are doing the exact same workout as you! There is a sense of community, love, and support during every class.

Areas of interest:
Step Class, Yoga, Matt Pilates, Pilates Reformer

Favorite exercise:
The pigeon (yoga hip opener).

What do you do outside of the YMCA:
I am a Director of IT Business for a Staffing Firm in Chicago.

One interesting fact about you:
I have been teaching exercise since college.