A native of Duluth, Minnesota, I have always been in motion. From dance and gymnastics to musical theater, I found my passion for fitness and performance at an early age. From my time as a BIG-10 College Cheerleader for the University of Minnesota, to a career as an actor in professional theater houses and movies, as well as numerous national commercials and print ads, I have always been an artist, and my body has been the tool.
In 2001, I made the move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to combine my love for fitness and film, and began to work as a stunt performer. From this point on, I was always training. A long time super-fan of the energy and dynamic of group fitness, I took in every format that was trending - one of the reasons that I pride myself on an overwhelming arsenal of exercise creativity. However, it was when I began to train at the infamous Gold's Gym in Venice, CA, that my introduction to lifting heavy weights and training with professional bodybuilders changed my philosophy, and also my physique. During this time, I competed in several NPC California Figure Competitions, as well as in amateur powerlifting.
In 2004, I joined a friend at a Krav Maga class. I loved the feeling of strength and empowerment that came from this training; so much so, that soon after, I became certified to teach. It was then that I made the transition to fitness as a full-time career. In addition to private clients, I taught numerous Krav Maga fitness classes that included kickboxing, cardio kickboxing, kettlebells, strength and conditioning, as well as instructing the km-X program. Knowing that I could give my clients an amazing workout, and also the invaluable skill of defending themselves, solidified my mission to empower others with not only a strong physique, but with inner strength and confidence, too.
My innovative training style with proven results, my knowledge and passion for all things fitness, and my experience with the Entertainment Industry was the reason I received "the call" in late 2009 that changed my life. I had the opportunity to travel the world, doing what I love, with some of the greatest people that I now call family. The rest is history.
Currently you can find me splitting my time between Nashville, TN and Atlanta, GA. In my free time, I love to go camping in an old ambulance, take long hikes with my pit-bull, Bo, continue to baffle the world with my insistence of wearing inappropriate layers of clothing (even in hot yoga), setting myself on fire, and inventing crazy variations of the burpee.