I've been coaching for almost 10 years now, but my path here wasn't linear-and honestly, I'm glad it wasn't. 

I've always been active. I played sports in high school, strength trained through and after college, but that's not what brought me to coaching. After graduating with degrees in spanish, criminal justice, and international business, I followed the "supposed to" path-got a corporate job, sat behind a computer, and did what I thought would give me stability and experience. I lasted a year. 

That job brought out the worst in me: constant stress, disconnection, and a deep feeling that I was in the wrong place. Around that time, I was chatting with a friend who owned a gym. I half-joked that I wanted to do what he did-but what I really meant was: I wanted to work with people. One week later, I was on salary at FFC in Chicago while getting certified. 

I've always known I was meant to work with people. Movement just happened to be the way in. It was something I understood intuitively- especially when I found kettlebells. The connection between mind and body finally clicked for me. I wasn't just getting stronger physcially-I was making sense of myself through performance, through coaching, threough connection. 

In 2020, during the height of COVID, I leaned in instead of stepping back. I went full independent and passed my Strongfirst Kettlebell Level 1 certification, which to this day remains one of the hardest and rewarding challenges I've ever taken on. That same year, I also earned certifications through CFSC (Certified Functional Strength Coach) and Precision Nutrition-a year of massive growth during global uncertainty. 

Over the years, I've worked with genergal population clients, youth athletes, and NHL high performers. And while training is the foundation, food has always been a parallel love of mine. My dad is a chef, my mom a brilliant home cook. I grew up learning that food is fuel, but also celebration, culture, and creativity. I worked in professional kitchens and food service industry from the time I was 13, and food still brings me the same sense of peace and expression today. These two passions-movement and nourishment-have come together to shape my coaching philosophy and my business.

Last year, I felt a deep need for change. I was proud of my business in the U.S., but I was burnt out. I had sacrificed so much to build it-and while I don't regret that, I also knew I wanted to live more fully. So, I fell in love with a Portuguese man and moved to Lisbon. That move wasn't just a chance of scenery-it was a realignment. I'm now an online coach, building a business that lets me support clients all over the world while also building a life that reflects the values I coach on: sustainability, intention, and autonomy.

Today, I help people build systems that make training, nutrition, and recovery non-negotiables- not burdens. Systems that create freedom, not more pressure. I help people get honest with themselves, make space for their goals, and get out of their own way-so they can build a life and a body they're proud of.  This work is a responsibility, and I don't take it lightly. I'm here to help you perform at your highest level, whatever that means to you. And I'm here to remind you that investing in yourself is never the wrong move. 

And hey, maybe we'll even have some fun on the way. 

 

here's my story

coaching is personal