In May 2026, I earned the highest certification in the Sports Strength and Conditioning field – the CPSS (Certified Performance and Sport Scientist) . In January, 2026, I also earned another high quality gold standard certificate in
the industry – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) both from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). I am also a NSCA-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). I work independently and at multiple YMCAs
as a Personal Trainer and am a certified Les Mills BodyCombat group exercise instructor. I have a Ph.D. in Research, Measurement and Statistics with a minor in Health Promotion along with a MS and BS in Health Promotion. Lastly,
I am a Brown Belt in Jiu JItsu.

Jiu JItsu literally changed the trajectory of my life. I started jiu jitsu at 52. I wasn’t in great shape mentally or physically. With the encouragement of my youngest son (18 at the time), I began training jiu-jitsu with him. It wasn’t
easy—I hated it at first and almost quit after three months. But slowly, I began to see progress. I gained control over my body, started mastering moves that once felt completely uncoordinated, and learned to stay
calm even in the most uncomfortable situations.

The biggest change in my jiu jitsu and in life is I began strength training and received nutrition guidance at 53. I needed help with energy and recovery to sustain that much working out and doing jiu jitsu 7 days a week, sometimes
twice a day. As a blue belt, I signed up for Atlanta Open and won both my weight division and the absolute. I then moved on to Pans, where I, again, double golded in both my weight and absolute. That year culminated at Worlds, where
I won my weight division and earned silver in the absolute. I was promoted from blue belt to purple belt at Worlds. The following year, I won Worlds as a purple belt in my weight but tore my hamstring during the matches so I unable
to do the Open. In 2025 at Worlds, I was a brown belt. I took silver in my weight and division and didn’t place in the Open. Wasn’t exactly what I was wanting but every comp makes you learn more about yourself and about the sport.
Looking forward to 2026 to give it another go. 

 I had been in a career with the same organization for 17 years and decided to do something different. I wasn’t old enough to draw retirement. I’ll never forget what the security guard said to me when I was contemplating resigning…she
said, “You either have faith or you don’t.” And 30 days later I was without a “job” because I chose faith. I ramped up my studying for the NSCA-CPT. December 2024 I sat for it and passed. Since then, I’ve built a clientele who challenge
me in my knowledge and understanding of strength training; who crack me up laughing so hard that I get cramps; and am finally feeling like I am where I belong in this life…in this world. Jiu Jitsu offers so much more than jiu jitsu
skills. Similarly, strength training offers so much more than just physically getting stronger.

Seeing all the certifications behind my name and doing this new career that I really love is crazy! With this new stature, I will continue to expand my knowledge and skills to bring the best to my clients.

Let’s GOOOOO!