If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”

— Thomas Jefferson

What do people thank me for? People admire my positive energy, enthusiasm, and consistency for maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. From watching my mother jump up and down in her hot pink spandex leotards during her aerobics classes as a child in the 1980s to playing youth soccer, softball, and basketball to sweep rowing (“crewing”) in Marina Del Rey, CA in my mid 20s, to getting bitten by the “fitness bug” when I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area just shy of 30, I have been active my entire life.

After completing several graduate courses and clinical experiences in occupational therapy, I learned this field is not aligned with my passions. While I love helping people improve their health and wellbeing, I am happier and more excited to help others prevent illness, disease, and disability rather than aid individuals already in an acute state. Where did my decision to end my occupational therapy studies bring me? Earning my personal training certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine!

After training some wonderful clients (25 – 70 years of age) at Crunch Fitness in San Francisco, CA, I (once again!) learned that the commercial, “big box” was not aligned with my values, talents, and skills. The next step in my career journey was jumping further out of my comfort zone, facing my fears head-on, and moving out-of-state for the first time in my life: Welcome Seattle, WA!

My first assignment in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (or, “PNW”) was a Telephonic Health Coach for a large corporate wellness company in Bellevue. One day at work I received a note from my team leader, thanking me for the positive energy I brought to our team. Maybe it was my early morning Spin classes, quick workout breaks at the fitness center downstairs, or my overall passion for fitness (or, quite simply, daily movement) that fosters my positive energy… From this day on, I knew that I need an active job, not a sedentary desk job.

Fast forward to today… What am I doing? Am I helping people commit to a healthy lifestyle change? Yes! As a Certified Personal Trainer, I have recently found my “niche” working with the 55 and better, “active aging” population. From working at an active senior living community last spring to currently working with older adults at Anytime Fitness, I am applying my talents, skills, and passions and doing what I love…. Now, I need to find a way to earn a successful living because the rent, bills, and overall cost of living expenses will always linger.