REDesign your fitness.

Personal Trainer, Athletic Trainer, PhD Candidate.

 

LETS CONNECT!

For years I tried everything within my power to change the shape my mama gave me! Having a 13 inch difference between my hips and waist was an obstacle in the way of achieving the same stick-thin body that adorned every piece of marketing garbage that I compared myself with. I dieted and exercised and starved my curves into submission, only to be miserable, anxious and goddamn hungry. . The thing that has helped me become more accepting of my body type has been time and the wisdom that she gives us. It took work and love for me to realize that my body is a good, strong body and shouldn’t need to look like 1% of the population (models) in order to be beautiful. . Fitness culture has a funny way of making us feel especially self-conscious. Chiseled abs, butts, and biceps are the fitspo of our culture - with little to no consideration for how well those muscles move. TBH, I feel a ton of pressure now to appear as sinewy and lean as possible now that I’ll be broadcast into thousands of homes with @tonal. . I am working hard to find balance, because it takes a certain level of crazy for a majority of women to achieve less than 16% body fat. Strict diets, workouts over hangouts, and the mental fatigue that goes along with constantly saying no to food in social and work settings. . I am inspired by my girl @barbellblondie who has been a positive role model in my life for her body positivity, strength and vibrance. I’m hoping to find balance and dedication so that I may be a role model to women who may or may not have bodies similar to mine - and convince the fitness world that women can be strong and sexy with whatever body our mamas gave us 👯‍♀️ . #bodypositivity
If you happened across my last post, I shared that I am feeling ALL KINDS OF overwhelmed and burnt out. . Whenever my body and mind are feeling the chaos of a hectic week, I roll around on my massage balls for a while and it truly helps my body prioritize its parasympathetic nervous system to help calm and relax. . Also, vacation helps. And I booked a flight to San Diego this weekend to visit the incredible @dommymichelle 🧜🏽‍♀️ and of course, @stellatheenglishcreamgolden 🐾 and we are going to lay in the sun, walk on the beach, and read all the books. I couldn’t be more excited ♥️ . Stress levels recognized ✔️ Anti-stress plan engaged ✔️ Commence puppy snuggles . . . . . . 📷: @comeplum #sanfrancisco #fitness #thehappynow #personaltrainer #wellness #fitfluential #inspo #healthy #thehappynow #thesweatlife #ambassador #thatsdarling #intuitivehealth #inspiration #theassemblysf #doingthings #palmbffs #femfeed #palmcrew23 #beyourstrongest
WARNING: VULNERABILITY AHEAD . “A real [wo]man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” -Thomas Paine . While from the outside it might seem that I am always moving forward in some strange new way or developing some new project... the past few months (years?) have honestly been equally exciting and overwhelming. . Behind the scenes I have been charging forward, taking on major projects in addition to my dissertation. (@tonal, @kinesio.fix, and @competit.her to name a few) For the most part, I can’t help it - it makes me giddy with delight to engage in an opportunity to share my knowledge and use my powers for good.. but often, I overcommit myself and am left drowning in a sea of overwhelm. . The other day I realized that I haven’t taken a week of vacation in over four years. What!? And you guys... I can really feel it. 😬Every hour of my day is spent brainstorming, fixing, programming, listening, meeting, performing, training, or commuting. There is no playing, no freedom, no relaxing. Even my most recent trips have been for continuing education, or brand partnerships .. aka WORK. . In fact - whenever I have an actual day off (what’s up, Labor Day) I feel guilty that I am not working on any of my projects and end up in this weird dilemma where I either feel guilty for not enjoying a day off or guilty for not getting work done. Lose-lose. Dope. . My Release class began as a meditative practice for myself, and besides training at the gym, has been my only escape from the burdens of hustle-dom. . This deep anxiety is teaching me about myself, my boundaries and how to stay sane amidst the hustle. Its not easy and I’ll be the first one to say that I’m still figuring it all out. . If you need me, I’ll be planning my next, MUCH needed vacation. (Just kidding I’m responding to emails while ordering instacart while writing programs for my clients while preparing for a PR trip, while finishing a writing assignment!) . #overwhelm
The fist bump: a coach’s way of expressing pride in your performance, satisfaction with your effort, and solidarity in the journey. (We’d hug you but sometimes we’d rather remain dry and un-sweatified by your stinky, sweaty athletic wear.) 😬 . Since becoming a coach, I’ve found myself fist-bumping out of habit at the most inappropriate times: upon being introduced to corporate higher-ups, greeting my family at Thanksgiving, after dropping off a package at the post office, and my personal favorite: receiving my food from the delivery guy. . Whatever 👊🏼 I’m not stopping anytime soon because the way I see it, the world could use more fist bumping. . #solidarity #fistbump #👊🏼 . . . 📷: @comeplum #sanfrancisco #fitness #thehappynow #personaltrainer #fitspo #gymstyle #fitfluential #inspo #healthy #thehappynow #thesweatlife #thatsdarling #inspiration #doingthings #palmbffs #femfeed #palmcrew23 #beyourstrongest
Let it hurt. . . Then let it go.
The tools that started it all!! . I was searching for an effective way to increase mobility in my ankles and hips and came across @yogatuneup and @mobilitywod. I bought the books, followed the methods and started to feel really great. I got creative and started making up my own releases based on my own unique knowledge of the body. . I began using these releases with my clients to increase proprioception (the body’s awareness of itself) and decrease their perception of pain and stiffness. . I saw incredible changes in their performance both in and out of the gym and realized that more people needed to know about this. This is the moment The Release was born. . I wanted to create an experience, not just a class. I knew that being in a relaxed mental and physical state would help to relax the body. I also knew that students would benefit from learning their own anatomy and be empowered to create their own releases at home, just as I had. . The Release turned into a combination of a self-myofascial release, a gentle anatomy lesson, and an embodied mediative experience set to slow, sexy music. I believe in this practice so much and have seen it change the way people move and experience their bodies. . If you want to come check out what this experience is all about, you are invited to @theassemblysf this Sunday at 4:30. Its unlike anything out there and I promise you will leave feeling relaxed and more in-tune with that beautiful body of yours. #thereleasesf . . . 📷: @comeplum #sanfrancisco #fitness #thehappynow #personaltrainer #wellness #fitfluential #inspo #healthy #thehappynow #thesweatlife #ambassador #thatsdarling #intuitivehealth #inspiration #theassemblysf #doingthings #palmbffs #femfeed #palmcrew23 #beyourstrongest
We are FAMILY. . SO much love for these @tonal coaches. The six of us have been through so much - working behind the scenes and getting WAY outside of our comfort zones. We stood by each other’s sides through thick and thin and now we are ready to change the fitness world forever - together. . Watch out, world. These six goofballs are on a mission 👊🏼 Tonal has got one hell of a coaching team. . . . . . . #sanfrancisco #fitness #thehappynow #personaltrainer #wellness #fitfluential #inspo #healthy #thehappynow #thesweatlife #ambassador #thatsdarling #intuitivehealth #inspiration #theassemblysf #doingthings #palmbffs #femfeed #palmcrew23 #beyourstrongest
You ready to ball so hard? . The Release is my absolute favorite class to teach. Its such a relaxing, sexy, smart, necessary class and one of the only classes that is appropriate for every body, regardless of fitness level. I am honored to have so many regulars coming in week after week to fine tune their muscles, indulge in some self-care, and release the tension from their bodies and minds. . Want to do something good for your body and your workouts? Want to learn about your anatomy and movements? Want to see what The Release all about? Have any questions about pain during your workouts? Come to class! See you babes today at 4:30 at @theassemblysf. . Link in bio to register ✨ . . . . . 📷: @comeplum #sanfrancisco #fitness #thehappynow #personaltrainer #wellness #fitfluential #inspo #healthy #thehappynow #thesweatlife #ambassador #thatsdarling #intuitivehealth #inspiration #theassemblysf #doingthings #palmbffs #femfeed #palmcrew23 #beyourstrongest