Education & Certifications
Penn State University
B.A.
- Certified Pilates Instructor — completed a comprehensive 500-hour Pilates apprenticeship led by world-renowned Pilates instructor Julian Littleford of JL Body Conditioning
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- NASM Senior Fitness Specialist
- NASM Women's Fitness Specialist
- CPR/AED Certified
My Specialties
Throughout my career, I've continued my education in areas that help me work with clients of different ages, abilities, and exercise backgrounds.
Corrective Exercise
My corrective exercise education helps me look at how a client moves and recognize areas where strength, mobility, balance, or movement patterns may benefit from additional attention. I use that information when choosing exercises and modifying programs for the individual.
Learn More About Corrective Exercise →Senior Fitness
I've spent many years working with older adults, including people who have exercised throughout their lives and people who are becoming more active later in life. I've also worked with clients after joint replacements and after completing physical therapy.
Learn More About Senior Fitness →Women's Fitness
I've worked with women of many different ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds. My women's fitness education gives me additional tools for adapting exercise to the changing needs women may experience throughout different stages of life.
Learn More About Women's Fitness →Clients I've Worked With
One of the things I've enjoyed most about teaching Pilates and personal training is the variety of people I've had the opportunity to work with.
Over the years, I've worked with:
- Older adults focused on maintaining strength, mobility, balance, and independence
- Adults returning to exercise after joint replacement or injury following completion of physical therapy
- Clients with scoliosis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, and other considerations
- People who prefer low-impact exercise while still wanting a challenging workout
- People looking to improve cardiovascular fitness through dynamic, low-impact movement
- People working toward weight-loss and body-composition goals
- Recreational athletes looking to improve strength, mobility, balance, and overall fitness
- People rebuilding strength and mobility after injury, inactivity, or major life changes
- Adults who simply want to become stronger, move more comfortably, and stay active
My Background
Finding Pilates
My career in fitness began with Pilates. In 2005, I completed a comprehensive 500-hour Pilates apprenticeship under Julian Littleford of JL Body Conditioning.
I went on to teach at Julian's studio, where I had the opportunity to continue learning from him and develop my own teaching style. Those years gave me a strong foundation in Pilates and taught me to pay close attention to the individual person I'm working with, rather than simply taking everyone through the same exercises.
Expanding Into Personal Training
As I gained experience, I wanted to be able to offer clients more than Pilates alone. I became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer in 2012 and began expanding my knowledge of traditional strength training and other forms of exercise.
I spent several years working as a personal trainer at CHUZE Fitness, where I had the opportunity to work with people with many different goals and exercise backgrounds. During my time there, I was repeatedly recognized as the top trainer across all 14 locations nationwide.
That experience reinforced something I had already learned through Pilates: two people can walk through the door with completely different bodies, histories, personalities, and goals. I enjoy figuring out how to make exercise work for the individual rather than expecting the individual to fit a predetermined program.
Continuing to Learn
Throughout my career, I've continued my education in corrective exercise, senior fitness, and women's fitness. I've always enjoyed learning more about the body and finding new ways to help the people I train.
I've worked with clients through many different stages of life—from people who are already very active to those rebuilding strength after an injury, joint replacement, physical therapy, or a long period away from exercise.
What I enjoy most is getting to know my clients over time. For me, being a good trainer isn't just about knowing exercises. It's about listening, building trust, understanding when someone needs to be challenged and when they need a different approach, and helping people feel comfortable while they work toward their goals.
Opening Fit Monkeys With My Daughter
In 2015, my daughter Kelly and I opened Fit Monkeys.
After years of working in Pilates studios and gyms, I wanted the freedom to combine everything I had learned instead of being limited to one particular approach to exercise.
Opening our own studio gave Kelly and me the opportunity to create a small, personal environment where we could get to know our clients and build each program around the person in front of us.
Nearly two decades after I first started teaching, that's still my favorite part of what I do—the people I get to work with and the relationships that develop along the way.
Outside of Fit Monkeys
Health and wellness are a big part of my life outside the studio too, but I also appreciate slowing down and spending time with the people I care about.
When I'm not working, I enjoy:
- Movie nights with my husband Jack
- Healthy cooking
- Reading about health and fitness
- Meditation
- Sauna sessions and other longevity-focused wellness practices