After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UBC and giving private ESL, French, Spanish and Italian lessons during the school year and dance lessons in the summer ESL program at Capilano University (back then called Cap College), I switched to studying nursing. After working as a nurse for over 18 years, while simultaneously being very much involved in fitness activities and getting educated in the field of fitness - as of 2023, I have decided to no longer practice as a nurse as my passion for joyful movement and lifestyle medicine has been pulling me more and more into the fitness, health and wellness industry. In this industry I hold the following certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist (TBMM-CES), ACE Certified Functional Training Specialist, Certified Strength Trainer for Older Adults (AAHF), Certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise Instructor (Oh Baby! Fitness in collaboration with ACE), BCRPA Registered Yoga Fitness Leader, Prenatal Yoga Certified (YogaRew), YogaRenew Mindfulness Certified, Certified Wellness and Lifestyle Coach (AAHF),Certified Chair Yoga Instructor (BodyWorks), and Certified Zin Zumba instructor. I see education as an ongoing life activity and I have accumulated a lot of fitness, health and wellness, and nursing continuing certified education in addition to the specialities listed above .  I have written three articles published in FitLifeBC magazine (an educational online magazine for BCRPA personal trainers and fitness instructors). I am passionate about helping people with chronic medical and musculoskeletal conditions use exercise as an effective and evidence based tool to manage their conditions and as such I am a member of the Medical Fitness Network Professionals.

My passions are dance, fitness, ocean swimming, and adventures in the great outdoors, and helping people find joy, health and empowerment through movement, renewed mindset and mindfulness practices. I work one on one with individuals, couples or small groups in functional training, strength training and stretching and use coaching techniques to help empower clients to make positive changes in their lives through approaching exercise with a renewed mindset. Another difficulty that can put people into a cycle of starting to exercise only to stop and head back to physiotherapy treatment, are longstanding or recurring issues with muscle and joint pain. As a Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, I aim to help people overcome underlying muscle imbalances and dysfunction to help get to what may be at the root of, or continuously fueling, these ongoing issues. Having a dance interest/background (university level contemporary dance courses, competitive ballroom, and Zumba) for those interested, we can have fun adding and infusing dance based exercises into workouts. Integrating yoga into workouts is also an option if requested. In addition to having worked with patients at their most vulnerable, in my life I have personally faced and overcome several medical health conditions and have gained a lived appreciation for the power of mindset, mindfulness and movement. I am always excited to share these tools with people facing health challenges and chronic conditions. My goal is to help others move and live in the present moment with gusto!

My mission as a personal trainer is to see my clients squeeze as much joy from each movement as possible. I like to help people discover that no matter what their goals are, the best part is the journey towards them - that it can be a journey filled with FUN and a truly empowering one! It is so exciting to see how the confidence, joy, mindful focus, and sense of calm gained while moving one’s body (whether it’s at the gym, in a dance studio or outside) spills over into work life, family life and other relationships.

I recognize that life throws a lot of challenges our way - especially in the context of when we live with chronic health conditions or difficult life situations. I am honored to be able to partner with clients to help them unearth what they value, discover the directions they want to move in in their lives, and take creative, incremental and sustainable steps so they can thrive in a holistic way.

I have named my business “Own Your Health Fitness"  because movement and exercise can be one of the most reliable tools people have at their disposal to take ownership of their health!

On a more personal level: I am married with two teen daughters.  I can relate to individuals giving to their work, families and friends while trying to carve out time for their own well-being activities. I am passionate about helping others overcome obstacles (whether internal or external) and find solutions so that they can integrate more health promoting movement into their lives!