ABOUT ME

 From the time I was very young, I've always loved to move my body! I was a gymnast from ages 5-16, after which I discovered road cycling and logged many, many kilometres of riding in the rural areas surrounding my hometown of Grimsby, Ontario.

Despite an innate love for physical activity, I've had my challenges too - at varying points in my life, illness, injury and having babies left me with physical limitations that I had to negotiate in order to continue living an active life. So I know what it feels like to struggle with maintaining good habits!

Even though I've always enjoyed  being active, I know there are a lot of women out there who have a, shall we say, less than joyful experience of exercise and that it can be hard to see this exercising thing as anything other than a chore that "should" get done (but unlike taking out the garbage, it's a chore about which one can endlessly procrastinate!). I think that's a real shame, because movement is part of our natural birthright as humans and is meant to be pleasurable. So, my work often involves helping clients to create a new, more positive relationship with exercise as much as it does teaching the actual exercises in a fitness program!

I'm also a bit of a psychology nerd and have read widely on the topics of positive psychology, behaviour modification and habit formation. I get pretty geeked out by the astonishing power of (sometimes seemingly small) daily habits to completely transform our lives. 

Bringing my love of physical activity together with all I've learned about successfully creating positive life changes leaves me feeling incredibly satisfied with the work I do. Every time a client integrates another fitness habit into their life, it feels like a win for both of us!

If you happen to be curious about my "official" qualifications, I'm certified as a personal trainer with CanFitPro and also have a Master's degree in nutrition from the University of Guelph (yes, we'll be talking about food, too, if you work with me!).

When I'm not busy working with clients, I'm likely to be cooking up a storm (to feed two ravenous teenage boys and a 40-something husband), walking, biking or hiking in the west Hamilton area, or curled up on the couch with a good book, a cup of (herbal) tea and a purring kitty in my lap.