I started functional fitness in 2011 and never set foot in a global gym again. I fell in love with the methodology of it and saw so much progress in my overall fitness and well-being—especially after the age of 40. And the best part of it all… the community. Some of the closest friends I’ve made were within those four walls. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, my husband and I decided to move to South Florida in 2020 after our son graduated high school. Married for 24 years, our son is 22, and the timing to come down here was perfect. My husband is a triathlete, and we love being outside and crave spending as much time as possible on the beach. Finding another gym that I could be a part of was crucial to me, not just for work but because I knew it would help me meet and make new friends. The gym I left behind in NY was like family to me for eight years.

Over the years, I've found in coaching that I am inspired by the advanced athletes who come in, but I have a special affinity for the newcomers, the masters athletes, the ones who walk through the door scared and unsure of their abilities. The new moms, the grandparents, and those who just don't think they belong there—you can find all of these individuals in my morning classes at Aspire. It's especially gratifying to coach such a diverse group and watch them achieve results they never thought they could while having a great time doing it. That, to me, is functional fitness. And it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.