Health in Effect

POV: you’re full-on wanting to build health without the pressures of diet culture, and you find my page.

New Year, New You - right?
Look, this year is intense unlike many before it. In the face of uncertainty, many of us take control of the parts of our lives that we can with exercise and diet.

That is powerful. And it can lead into diet culture mindsets by pressuring ourselves to maintain resolutions (ps the data says we’ve abandoned them by now).

Maybe you’re tired of the cycle (another new years lap…) or ready to finally nail down your goals. You’ve got options when it comes to getting support!

Personal trainers are ready to support you with physical fitness. They’ll guide workouts and give you safety, accountability and help guide you to your goals.

A Health Coach might look at your health beyond physical markers, whether or not they instruct exercise.

I come from the realm of Public Health, where building health means more than not “just” having an illness. Not a lot of professionals take that route into fitness, but I find it the most direct path for engaging people making long-term change.

Your body, mind, emotions, community, environment and more plays into not only how healthy you are - but even how fit you become.

The real baseline in all this is stress. How you see it (useful? Too much? Necessary?), avoid it or use it.

That’s where I come in! I craft workouts your body will respond to while supporting the other parts of being healthy that happen outside the gym.

If you’re tired of the pressures, being stressed to the max, and repeated cycles - let’s connect!

I talk a lot about “how far I’ve come” and “how much I know” but one of the best traits anyone can have (literally, for their longevity!) is to keep an open mind.

Believe me, I’m no stranger to growth, returning to past behaviors and trying again to get that change to last!

It’s not a fight with myself, just as it was no fight here. I learned where to shore-up what I do, so that all of my offerings are sustainable.

I’m sorry to say, but I’m also human - if I gave the way I do during a 1:1 session to a group class? I would be burnt to a crisp!

That’s why discernment - knowing your needs and what you can manage yourself is critical. I’m here for any step along your path, but you’re leading the way!

What are you building for your health this year?

I can get so opinionated (no shame), and group exercise classes are something I’ve spent so many years training, developing and understanding that it means SO MUCH when professionals join.

Those “behind the curtain” of the wellness industry are going to naturally be more discerning and critical of what I do.

So when the room is full (waitlisted!!!) and instructors attend on the regular? I know there’s something special brewing.

I do my best to craft these workouts in multiple directions, styles and focus so it stays fresh while sticking to basic conditioning.

I’m grateful, honored, and so happy to see FULL rooms after a Holiday week and a dump of snow! ❄️ ☃️

3 cheers to you, and our winter wonderland ahead 🤍🤍

At YMCA:
LIIT, Monday @8:45a
HIIT, Wednesday

At Kula:
HIIT, Thursday @7:00* (45min!)
HIIT, Friday @9:90

Embarrassment not required!
But I do think every trainer needs this period.

Honestly, I’d say this for everyone: having a growth mindset is how you improve!

Here’s a moment I turned beet red, in hopes it saves you some trouble (and even prevent injury).

Whether you’re a trainer or thinking of hiring one - take a look ‘under the hood’.

How do they motivate? Is it shame or empowerment?

We can get swept up into assumptions based on how our trainers look! And assuming because they’re fit (probably young) themselves, doesn’t mean they’ve progressed in their skills to know how to support your transformation.

I’ve been through it, practically to the moon and back - and am excited to bring you my style again. The 90 Day Health Boost starts this week check back for details!

This is NOT because new trainers don’t have as much knowledge (ok that’s sometimes the case), it’s more a reflection of how the industry has changed the last 15 years!

Without the space to evolve, to admit to growth - Any trainer will end up creating a mask of who they are. Fundamentally this work is tied to how people perceive YOUR OWN health and fitness as a coach, so it’s not entirely avoidable to live as a persona separate from yourself.

In fact id challenge most long-term coaches fundamentally hone in on what makes them unique, as themselves. The changes they’ve experienced and how it informs their own journey.

Whether you’re looking for support or doing it on your own, remember that authenticity is grounding. Being genuine keeps you anchored to your values, and less likely to be a people pleaser (ie “nice instead of kind”).

I’m no different! You think I’d say all this about a 0-5yr trainer, without my own stories to share?

Next up, one of the most embarrassing moments as a greenhorn (and it wasn’t when my pants split!) and how it taught me what it means to be a vet 💪

Yea it’s tucked in the corner, but this is where I like to get out of my head when I’m making deep plans.

It’s easy to stay in mind, get organized, calculated.
It’s even easier to let that tension sit in my face, my mouth, and my chest.

All the moving pieces fall together when that tension of body vs mind becomes an experience: the sweetness of Stu Pickles.

This is a simple truth many of us need.

Thanks kru 🤙☕️

How DOES a health educator land in personal training?

My first day as a “big box” trainer changed my whole life!

Filmed before my education and professional experience were directly targeted by my government, with full knowledge these fields are important!!!!

Health coaching, personal training and any guidance to improve your health comes from a largely unregulated industry. You can pick up this app and fall into thousands of self-improvement accounts. So how do you know who to work with? Who will keep you safe?

The truth is that we all have different goals, so you’ve got options. I’m for the evidence-based, health conscious people with high-stress lifestyles.

Who know there’s more to getting fit than diet and exercise. Who want to be in their 80’s, moving free without pain!

The goal is healthy living years. For going as long as you can without preventable signs of aging. To avoid having falls at home as a senior - which is one of the greatest risks for that group.

That means education and experience. Understanding how the mind and body interplay, and the skills to guide you to results.

If we could all do one thing this diet and fitness focused season; remember that you are best motivated with a carrot, and not a stick. Shame, judgement and coercion will never take you to the finish line the way staying on your own team will.

This is not just business! When I say “healthy” I mean “revolution”! Taking care of your self leads directly to a fulfilling life, not influenced by what’s trendy. One that blossoms through what you value most 🌸

That’s the change I apply myself to see in the world!