Stay inspired with helpful tips, stories, and news with my monthly newsletter.

Why I decided to become a health coach

One of my enduring passions in life is sports and the great outdoors. I started as a child in gymnastics, played team sports as a teen, and took a wide variety of PE classes in college, ranging from ice skating, fencing and springboard diving, to tennis, Pilates and weight training. 

Unfortunately, I injured my back in 2006, which forced me into a prolonged rehabilitation phase. During the following decade, I focused on swimming, yoga and walking/hiking. In 2016, I felt that in order to keep up with my husband and kids I needed to kick it up a notch. I used a walk-run program and an indoor stationary bike to get going. By 2018 I summited Mt Shasta, ran my first half-marathon, and biked my first century. That fall I went on to complete a half-Ironman and my first marathon, just before my 51st birthday. 

In September 2020, I used the travel ban as an opportunity to start training for a full Ironman. During this training period I had to learned about proper nutrition and hydration, the importance of core and functional strength training, as well as mental wellness, sleep and recovery. Growing from a beginner swimmer to a strong, open water swimmer in a short time was especially challenging.  In addition, I had to plan the entire route from scratch and organize a support team of family and friends, who cheered me to a 15 hours and 15 minutes finish. My family dubbed the event IRONUTE. 

It was during this endeavor that I decided to become a health coach.  It is my goal to share my passion and enthusiasm with other people reengaging with an active lifestyle.