Personal Trainer - NESTA Certified
Kickboxing - AFAA Certified
Pound Fit- Pound Fit Certified
TRX: TRX Certified - STC
SNS - Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist
Schwinn Indoor Cycling
Corrective Exercise Specialist
PN1 Certified
IHP: Integrative Health Practitioner
I grew up in the small town of Yankton, SD and participated in every sport possible as a child. The sports I loved most were competitive softball and soccer. I played sports all throughout middle school and high school. After graduation I decided to stay in South Dakota and attend the University of South Dakota. During that time I fell into an unhealthy pattern of not working out, staying up late, and not focusing on academics in college. I moved to Kansas City in 2007 to pursue my college career and graduated from University of Missouri-Kansas City with my Elementary Education degree. I taught at an inner-city school for 6 years, got married, and had twin boys. I loved teaching, helping the kids reach their goals, and helping them break through tough challenges. On a personal level, I have always struggled with self-esteem and self-acceptance; quite honestly, most of the time falling into self-pity. In 2015 I came to the realization that I will never get to where I want to be with the mindset of pity, making excuses, and wishing I was "in shape." I began going to the gym 2 times a week doing multiple hours of cardio-- looking around at all the gym equipment and thinking "how the hell does all that stuff work?"
I began with a personal trainer in December of 2015. After seeing how my body was changing with discipline, weight lifting, and proper nutrition I couldn't help but be inspired to learn more and help others who may be struggling like I was. I have always loved education and having the opportunity to encourage others to set goals and fight for them, so this was a really perfect fit for me. My family and I returned to Yankton, SD in the summer of 2017 when I decided to change my career path. Instead of teaching youth, I transitioned into helping educate women who have struggled the same as I have. I opened Empower Fitness to create a positive and encouraging environment for women of all shapes and sizes.
My philosophy: Excuses do NOT get you anywhere in life. If you want a change you need to stop thinking about doing and start acting, this goes for everything you do in life. No one gets anywhere from thinking or wishing. There's no more talk, it's only DOING. one of my favorite humans, GaryVee talks about how ideas don't matter, they aren't anything; the important part of becoming successful is actually EXECUTING your ideas and making something of it! I challenge you to begin setting goals and crushing them..... then set more...... then set more! Let's get this done TOGETHER! I'm here to help YOU!
