Certifications: NASM: CPT, Tier 2: EFTI (Equinox Fitness Training Institute), Pre- and Post-Natal
Specialties: Weight loss, strength endurance, pre- and post natal
Training Styles: Circuit training, cardio weight lifting, TRX, traditional lifting, boot camp
Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, I have always been exposed to outdoor activities and learned at an early age the importance of exercise and eating healthy. I played soccer and softball as a child and upon entering high school I moved on to cheerleading and competition dance.
I first started working out at at 24-hour Fitness at the age of 14, which was in addition to 4 hours of cheer/dance practice 4 times a week. After high school, I went to undergrad in Chico, California, Beijing, China and finally graduated from San Diego State in 2004. After graduation, I promptly moved to New York City, got an all-access membership to Equinox, and and now I’m proud to say that I am a Personal Trainer at Equinox Printing House on Leroy and Hudson in the West Village. With a 7-minute commute to work, life’s pretty good.
Prior to becoming a trainer, I worked in publishing for my father’s publishing company (gambling books) and marketing (for Citi Habitats). After sitting at a desk for multiple hours at a time, I realized more and more the importance of staying in shape, stretching properly and keeping up my posture…and of course, eating healthy and nutritious foods. I stayed in shape, but sometimes couldn’t make it to the gym until 9:30pm at night!” I remember hearing the loud speaker announch that the gym would be closing. This desk life was not for me. For me, fitness is not just a way to stay in shape, it’s a way to find peace and maintain mental sanity. When I engage in physical activities, I feel happier and more energized for my day-to-day routine, while keeping off those extra pounds—this is what I try to help my clients understand. 
Fitness really is LIFE (thanks, Equinox).
I have always been somewhat of a healthy eater, but I believe you can eat whatever I want, within moderation, and try to eat only, natural whole foods 80 percent of the time. You have to understand that I do not eat or drink packaged foods and foods that are not pure, so to speak. Yes, I will indulge here and there in some sour patch kids, but I try to eat food with ingredients that I understand. Coupled with 5-6 hours of exercise per week, this system works for me and I have maintained the same weight for many years. My at-home diet consists of veggies, grains and fruits, but I really do enjoy some good French fries or nachos when I’m in California—if you deprive yourself of those favorite snacks or carbs, you will eventually go on a binge, so it’s important to incorporate these foods into your diet, but not to go overboard.
Over the years, I have learned and practiced many styles of training, but many of the ways we work out today have come from all over the world and I feel fortunate to have traveled a lot, which has given me the opportunity to experience yoga in India, Kung Fu in China, hiking in Hawaii and many other beautiful places. Traveling or not, I always find a way to stay active and tend to make a workout out of every activity, e.g., doing butt lifts walking up stairs, working my obliques while sitting at a counter on a stool, or doing calf raises while waiting on line. When I’m at home, I choreograph dance routines around my apartment, practice cheerleading kicks or attempt to improve my handstand. It may sound odd, but I honestly see the results.
I’m so excited to be able to share my training philosophy and knowledge with my clients. On a day-to-day basis, I enjoy reading about new styles of training, nutrition and alwasy look to further my knowledge of how the body works. If you are looking for a trainer, or know someone who is, please email me!
