The HSF Story

In 2006 I weighed 270 pounds. I was always someone who was overweight, as long as I can remember. I never really thought that I would ever be someone who was thin and in shape. After losing both my parents in 2006 I decided it was time to get healthy, grief is motivating that way. I started out on my quest to get in shape with simply walking and hiking, and eventually I joined a gym. It started out as just losing weight and somewhere along the way it became a totally different journey. Once I lost 130 pounds I realized I wanted to help other people who felt lost, unhealthy and completely discouraged like I used to feel. 

In 2012 I obtained my first two certifications through The National Academy of Sports Medicine, and soon became a Certified Personal Trainer as well as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist. I started working with clients shortly after passing my exam. After being forced to close my studio in 2020 I went back to school to finish my bachelors degree in Exercise Science. I graduated May of 2022 from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. I hope to someday finish my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Concordia, St Paul.

I now have over 10 years of experience working with clients and I have obtained many new fitness certifications along the way.  I am also fully Certified in Pre-Post Natal Fitness and Pre-Post Natal Nutrition from ISSA and I have trained several women throughout their pregnancies up until birth, and postpartum. I am Senior Fitness Certified and was the onsite Health and Fitness leader at Clearwater Senior Living in Oxnard, Ca for many years. My oldest client there was 96 years young and working with seniors is something I still enjoy very much. I have a predominantly large senior client base in Santa Rosa, Ca. 

In 2018 I became a fully Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, in The Biomechanics Method. I realized over the years that a lot of people deal with chronic pain that prevents them from even starting an exercise program. In addition, sedentary lifestyles tend to leave people with the same common injuries once they do finally get active, which can be very discouraging.  Knees, back, hips, shoulders exasperated by sitting all day, and made worse by exercising improperly creating imbalances. As a fully Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, in The Biomechanics Method I am able to help my clients not only prevent injury, but also rehab old injuries that may be preventing them from reaching their health and fitness goals. I love to create workouts that create a balanced, pain free body. It is now 2023 and I am working on my PPSC Certification; Pain Free Performance Specialist. I believe in constantly learning and challenging myself so I can be a better trainer. 

Over the years my personal fitness journey has changed and evolved. I lost 130 pounds without running a single mile. So if you don't like to run, I won't make you run. I will only encourage and coach you if you desire. I understand. I use to say the words, "I hate running. I am not a runner...I just don't have the body for it.." Fear. So I didn't run, I would hike and climb mountains. I absolutely love climbing mountains, and I have this constant need to continue to challenge myself. To keep raising that bar. To do things that scare me, so 10 years ago I became a runner, and it changed my life.

I did not become a runner until after I lost all the weight. I didn't think I could do it. It always seemed so hard to me. I knew I had to overcome this fear. I started with a 5k, then half marathons. I raced half marathons for a couple years, and got relatively fast with my best time a 1:49. Then I started training for distance, and worked my way up to several full marathons on the road including running the LA marathon twice with a 4:10. 

Mountains have always been my true love though, and about 5 years ago found ultra marathon running. It was love at first race! I have completed over 60 ultra marathons of all different distances. I started with short 25k's and half marathon trail runs and quickly moved up to 50k's, (30 miles) to 50 milers, 100Ks and all the way up to 100 miles!! I felt CRAZY!

In 2017 I ran my first 100 mile race, San Diego 100. I finished in 26 hours and 25 minutes, and landed as the fifth female overall. I have since had a couple podium finished. Second female overall at Chimera 100K, and Third female overall at Old Goat 50 miler. My biggest accomplishment so far is winning first place female at Chimera 100 miler, 4th overall for men and women. In 2019 I completed my 3rd 100 mile race. AC100; Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run on 8/3/19 in 30:37:37. The hardest race of my life, we climbed 22,000 ft and ran from Wrightwood, Ca to Pasadena, Ca via The Angeles National Forest. LIFE changing experience.  

As a race Ambassador I have run the Ventura marathon many times with a group of my clients. Most of them are new marathoners. We would train together and run the race. I love to create new runners! In 2020 I met the man of my dreams, moved to Northern California and got married. I have continued that theme here of creating new runners and ultra-runners. I even started with my new husband who is running his first marathon this year.. and probably his first ultra. ;)

I do these crazy distances to show my clients that you can do anything you set your mind to. My mom always told me that. It stuck with me, and I want to make them proud. I never dreamed I could run at ALL. I used to weigh 270 pounds, and would struggle to walk a mile. Now my body can do these amazing feats!! You don't know until you TRY. I run these races not only to become a stronger, better human, but to show my clients that anything is truly possible if you really want it. You just have to be willing to put in the work, the body is capable; it is the mind you have to convince. Over the years I have learned all most people need is someone to guide them, and to believe in them. I love encouraging people to accomplish things they never dreamed they could do. That's the best part of my job, and I’m always encouraging my clients to push themselves to new challenges. Sometimes scary goals are good for the soul! 

That is just good advice for life. I try to teach my clients this by leading by example, while continuing to grow and evolve both professionally and personally. I truly love what I do and I believe that passion fuels my success.