REDesign your fitness.

Personal Trainer, Athletic Trainer, PhD Candidate.

 

LETS CONNECT!

What do you fight for? I fight for each person who has been negatively impacted by our backwards health care system. I fight for the chance to bring truth and integrity to health and wellness. I fight for those who haven’t yet found their voice. And I fight every day to push past the voices in my head telling me I can’t. York Athletics’ #worththefight campaign dropped today and I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a campaign launch. Their new Henry Mid Canvas is literally a blank canvas. Mine are fresh and clean right now, but I can’t wait to grab some paint and turn them into my own. These guys poured their heart and soul into this passion project in order to share what their community is fighting for. Head over to their site to check out the latest from @yorkathleticsmfg in collaboration with @alyraisman. Want to join the fight? Grab your own using code LIZXYAM
This week is the OFFICIAL start of my countdown until December graduation. Its been a long time in the making after taking a verrrry unconventional route to my PhD journey (more on that later), but given the choice, I would do it all over again. . As I march towards December, I will be sharing less on social media and spending that time, instead, on writing my four big chapters so that I can finally close THIS chapter in my life. I will continue to share interesting and helpful tidbits here and there, albeit infrequently. . I’ve had to buckle down several times in my dissertation journey, but this one feels like a really, really big buckle. I’m interested in what advice you have for staying focused without neglecting your own mental or physical health. . T minus 6 months and counting. I have a feeling it’s gonna fly by! 👩🏻‍🏫 #phdlife
This weekend I attended the Far West Athletic Trainers’ Annual Conference (@fwatad8)where I learned how to suture skin wounds and diminish lymphatic blockages. I am so proud to be an Athletic Trainer (ATC) but know that very few people know what an Athletic Trainer actually does! . Contrary to popular belief, we are not personal trainers, nor water boys, nor team moms. We are a board certified, allied health care profession that prevents, manages and rehabilitates injuries and illnesses in athletes and non-athletes. . When you’re watching football and someone gets injured, we are the team of clinicians that run out to care for that athlete’s compound fracture or concussion. . When a parent has a heart attack in the stands, we manage the scene and the patient with care and consideration. . When a 15 year old tears her ACL, we provide rehabilitation from the day she is out of surgery and continue to manage her care once she is back on the field. . We evaluate injured patients for Orthopedic Surgeons as physician extenders. . We manage heat illnesses, hydration status, recovery, and nutrition for multiple sports teams at a time. . We are often confused with personal trainers because of the name “Athletic Trainer” but what we do is Sports Medicine. Many personal trainers will accidentally call themselves Athletic Trainers, but they are not. . Sure we have the skills to make you stronger but that is one small component of our vast skill set. . Athletic Training is a Master’s degree in the Health Sciences field and is one of the most rewarding professions in the field of medicine. Swipe to get a taste of some of my favorite moments from this weekend’s annual meeting. And hug your Athletic Trainer today ♥️ I’ve tagged a few of my favorite ATCs! Tag yours!
Actual photo of me jumping to conclusions. . It wasn’t until I started giving others the benefit of the doubt that the “drama” in my life decreased tenfold. Often times what we think someone meant and what they actually meant are verrryyy different. Take time to cultivate empathy and ask questions if someone said something offensive or did something super weird that made you feel less than awesome. . Ya feel me?
One of the things I find most powerful about exercise is that not only do you strengthen your body, you strengthen your ability to be calm during difficult things (i.e. lifting heavy, flirting with your lactate threshold, push-ups until you’re shaking). . By practicing being calm while pushing yourself, you find yourself more calm when other things start pushing you.
I have this tradition - when anyone comes to visit, I snap a Polaroid to add to the ever-growing collection on the wall of our guest bathroom (swipe to see a piece of the collection!) for our guests to visit anytime they need a private moment 💩 . It is my favorite thing in our house - an analog reminder of great times and even greater people, dogs, and babies. We tell everyone they can do whatever they want, pose anywhere and with anything.. and boy do we have some creative friends.. . I don’t remember when or why I started snapping these photos, but I am so glad I did. In this digital age, we often lose touch with the tangible. These photos bring me more joy than any album on the internet. (Although that Facebook album from freshman year of college is indeed PRETTY entertaining)
When I lived in Hawaii, I would sneak into the fancy hotels and set up a little workstation so I could study with an oceanfront view, a light breeze and, depending on how difficult my study material was.. a mai tai or two 🍹 I mean, why do you think I decided to get my PhD from the University of Hawaii - if I’m going to study my ass off, might as well be in paradise 🌸 . It took me a while, but I finally found a place in SF that offered that same calm escape that allows me to get my work done without the added anxiety of dealing with environmental stressors (like poorly lit offices, colleagues and students knocking on the door every five minutes, that stupid relentless buzzing from whatever ancient fax machine was pushed up against the office wall..) . @theassemblysf is a place where I get to meet friendly dreamers, take the best fitness classes in the city, and be a part of a unique community that uplifts, educates and supports. . Also - what the heck. only The Assembly can make a locker room feel like a magical kingdom. . I am so lucky to be a part of this community. Come take my class, The Release, and experience the escape for yourself. ✨
You know who is going to give you everything you ever wanted? You.