My Fitness Journey

Fitness and nutrition have been an integral part of my identity since I was very young.  In high school, I was motivated by wanting to get fit like the “popular” kids who were all athletes. I started with running and cycling but the turning point came when my sister introduced me to The Firm workout series on VHS.

The Firm combined weights and aerobics into one program for the first time ever, and I was particularly drawn to one of the instructors whose lean and muscular physique inspired me. I remember thinking “That’s it! I want a strong, muscular body like her!”

Even though it’s been over three decades since I did a Firm workout, I still hear the instructor’s encouraging words in my head: “Power, strength, speed, and agility.” This inspiration drove me to learn how to build muscle and get fitter.

My early college years introduced me to rugby, which has been a passion of mine for over 25 years. I played throughout college, earning selections for Collegiate All-Stars teams and later joining clubs in Ontario, Canada’s top women’s league and having the honor of playing for the Canadian Classics.

For the past five years, CrossFit has been my primary focus and passion. Now in my early, 50s, I’ve competed in high-level global CrossFit competitions and am driven by the goal of qualifying for and achieving a podium finish at the CrossFit Games.

Weight Loss Gimmicks

In my younger years, despite my healthy focus on building muscle and getting fit, I was obsessed with losing weight.  I spent hard-earned money on diet pills, weight-loss gadgets, and meal replacement shakes, chasing quick fixes from trendy magazines and fat-loss hacks.

I fell for the myth that “fat-free” foods were key to weight loss, stocking up on fat-free products which I later learned are filled with sugar and chemicals to make them taste better. After years of trial and error and wasted money, I learned there’s no magic solution—lasting progress takes patience and consistency.

Over time, I immersed myself in understanding proper nutrition and exercise. Slow and steady became my mantra. I discovered that lasting wellness isn’t about shortcuts; it’s about building healthy habits. Now, as a certified health and life coach, I’m honored to guide others on their own transformative journeys.

My Health Coach Mission

Watching my mom battle with her weight over the years was both heartbreaking and frustrating. She tried diet after diet only to find herself gaining more weight. Her doctors repeatedly emphasized the need for changes in nutrition and increased physical activity. They warned her about prediabetes, cautioning that if she didn’t manage her blood sugar and unhealthy lifestyle, it could progress to Type 2 diabetes. Sadly, their predictions came true.

Witnessing her gradual decline was agonizing. Despite receiving all the necessary information from her doctors regarding proper nutrition and exercise, my mom struggled to implement and follow through. Her battle with diabetes led to a cascade of complications: neuropathy, persistent wounds, depression, dangerously high blood pressure, failing kidneys, and strokes. In 2022, she passed away, leaving me heartbroken as I was not able to help her.

Her journey inspired me to take action. Now, as a health coach, my mission is clear: to assist those seeking better health and well-being. I want to empower others to make sustainable changes, just as I wish I could have done for my mom.

Menopause Journey

Navigating menopause was challenging, not just due to the symptoms—mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, and joint pain—but also the lack of support and understanding from medical professionals. Despite repeated doctor visits and hormone tests showing “normal” levels, my symptoms were dismissed, and I was told I “might” be in perimenopause.

Frustrated by the lack of answers, I began researching what was happening to my body and how I could manage my symptoms. That journey led me to complete a menopause coaching specialist certification, not only to help myself but also to support other women as a health coach through this life transition.

My Certifications

I’m a Certified Health Coach (CHC), Certified Life Coach (CLC), and Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist.