What is your background?

I have a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Business Administration from Slippery Rock University.

Do you have any specialty certifications?

Yes—I am a group fitness fanatic! I currently hold certifications in Les Mills BODYPUMP™ & BODYCOMBAT™, Johnny G. and Mad Dogg Athletics SPINNING®, ZUMBA®, and YogaFit®. I also have a Health/Fitness Specialist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Have you taught fitness classes before coming to X? Where?

Yes—I started teaching group fitness classes during my internship at Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) in the summer of 2008. I worked for a company called Wellness Solutions at Work (WSW) that encouraged me to pursue as many group fitness certifications as I could get my hands on. Within 3 years of working for WSW, I became the Assistant Wellness Director of the WEC Global Headquarters location and taught 8-10 classes per week.

What’s your favorite thing about X Shadyside?

Hands down, it’s the atmosphere! Right in the heart of the Shadyside business district—you can’t get any better than that! I am also quite fond of the members—I get to interact with many of them on a daily basis teaching classes and personal training on the fitness floor.

What can I expect from a personal training session?

I could probably be mistaken for Jillian Michael’s younger sister… KIDDING! I may not be as harsh as Jillian, but I do like to push my clients to exceed what they THINK they are capable of. That’s what I’m supposed to do, right?! I am very results driven, so I like to encourage that in my clients as well!

What is your favorite class to teach?

This is a tough one! It is a 3-way tie… SPINNING®, BODYCOMBAT™, and BODYPUMP™. I enjoy the freedom of choosing my own music in a SPINNING® class, but I also really enjoy the high-energy, driving music that the Les Mills programs have to offer. BODYCOMBAT™ allows me to completely unleash and let out any aggression, and I’m always amazed at how strong and accomplished I feel at the end of a BODYPUMP™ class.

What is your personal fitness motto?

“Quitting is the enemy!” I say it all the time in my classes! I also really like, “obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring only one BODYCOMBAT™ song, which would it be?

“The One and Only”—Release 39, Track 1.

What’s your favorite movie?

These two movies have absolutely nothing in common, but I’ve seen each of them more times than I can count—“Remember the Titans” and “The Hangover.

What is your favorite destination location?

Bruges, Belgium… I’d go back tomorrow—maybe teach a ZUMBA® class or two! J