My journey to becoming a wellness professional all started when I was 11 years old. I was diagnosed with a kidney disorder that came out of nowhere and I was told that I would have it for the rest of my life. I had really just started playing team sports competitively then, when I began playing fastpitch softball. It was awesome, I made so many friends and we traveled to awesome places. I hung out with my teammates and my family and was slowly turning into an athlete. But when I was diagnosed, I vividly remember my doctor telling me that I really shouldn’t play sports anymore (just in case) and I was also going to be on some pretty heavy steroids for the rest of my life that would cause me to gain weight and develop horrible acne. That was my prognosis. Imagine telling a 12 year old girl who loves sports and being active that this was going to be her life and there was nothing she could do about it.

 

Of course I didn’t listen. I went on to play softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and run cross country. I lifted weights, I did circuit training, and now I do CrossFit. Growing up, my mom made sure I ate right and ate kidney-friendly foods and my dad always encouraged me to play the sports I wanted to. My brother and sister and I worked out together, and as a family, whenever we get together, you can count on a hike or two being involved. Physical activity has always been a part of me and that was never going to change. I am an athlete and always will be.

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I was diagnosed in 2006 and was officially declared to be in remission in January 2012. I remember taking my last pill and finally feeling free. In 2017, I was officially 5 years clean. No signs of kidney malfunction. It’s been almost 14 years, and I firmly believe that incorporating good nutrition and a high level of physical activity into my life got me to where I am. Your body is so much more powerful and stronger than you think, you just have to take care of it.

 

This is one of the reasons I do what I do. I LOVE health & fitness and when I found a profession where I could teach other people how to take care of themselves and use their bodies to fix their bodies, I jumped on it. I see too many people develop an ache or a pain here, an injury there, or even a diagnosis like mine that sidelines them for good. Not only do they stop exercising, but they can’t drive, they can’t play with their kids, they can’t get off the floor, they can’t climb stairs, they can’t squat, they can’t lift things over their head, and their mental health declines as well. Their self-confidence goes, their happiness is gone, stress increases, and quality of life is no more. This is why I do it. You have to know you aren’t alone and this isn’t the end. You are not broken. 

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That’s why I’m here-- to get you back on track, back to doing the things you love, and to give you all the tools and knowledge I possibly can so that YOU can take care of YOURSELF. You have so much potential and with just a little guidance, you can take control of your health. I work with you to create a plan to improve your symptoms and optimize your performance. Your body is the only place you have to live and it does so much for you, isn’t it time to return the favor?