My journey into health and wellness began during my high school years when I was known for being the contemplative type, always lost in thought. It often left me feeling drained and overwhelmed. In my senior year of high school, I decided to take an aerobics class as an elective, and soon after, I picked up running. I quickly realized that physical movement had a remarkable ability to quiet my mental chatter and focus my energy on the task at hand!

As time went by, I became deeply engrossed in fitness, exploring a wide range of activities. I engaged in running, cycling, even dabbled in Muay Thai, and once I had young children, I turned to home workouts with the likes of Billy Blanks' Tae Bo and Denise Austin's video workouts. These activities provided a lifeline through college, pregnancy, and the postpartum period, helping me clear my mind, relax and unwind.

Motivated by my passion for fitness, I pursued a group exercise certification and started teaching a few classes a week while my children attended preschool. Working in the gym introduced me to various forms of exercise, including indoor cycling, barbell classes, and mat Pilates. Curiosity led me to my first yoga class, and I was instantly captivated by how it eased the daily stresses of life.

I dedicated my mornings to the practice of yoga, and gradually, my other activities took a back seat as I delved deeply into the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga. It was an exhilarating and disciplined phase of my life, during which I immersed myself in learning about meditation, pranayama, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and Ayurveda.

However, my relentless pursuit of deeper, more challenging yoga poses, combined with personal stress, eventually took a toll and I suffered a lower back injury.

Over the next few years, I embarked on a journey of healing and discovery. I had the privilege of learning from some of the finest teachers. Notably, David Keil played a significant role in my recovery, equipping me with the tools to practice yoga safely. I am also grateful to yoga teacher Sava Savaneli, who patiently guided me through my practice during my recovery.

During this time, I crossed paths with Leslie Clayton, a Master Pilates Teacher from Balanced Body Pilates Studio in Atlanta. Pilates, along with Leslie's guidance, greatly contributed to my healing and strengthening process. Subsequently, I decided to undertake Balanced Body Pilates Training.

My focus also expanded to Ayurveda, embracing a holistic approach to wellness that considered the entire body, nutrition, and self-healing practices. My husband and I had the privilege of spending time with Ayurvedic Practitioners, Christina Werthe at Desha Yoga in Encinitas, California, and more recently, working with Leah Jones, based in Austin, Texas.

My professional journey led me to Kennesaw State University, where I integrated anatomy, stress reduction techniques, and health practices into my courses. Later, I worked at two corporate gyms, collaborating with yoga and wellness teams to emphasize education and skill development.

In 2020, I commenced teaching at Balanced Body Pilates Studio in Sandy Springs, and in April of the same year, I initiated the Global Collective You, now known as Coaching Intuitive Wellness (CIW). This transition allowed me to focus more on special populations and put into practice everything I had been learning for many years. One of my favorite specialties is identifying weaknesses in the body and working to enhance strength and balance.

My journey in health and wellness has spanned twelve years of dedicated study and practice. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is sharing the knowledge and experience I've gained with others. Currently, I am enrolled in The Ayurvedic Practitioner Program with the Yoga Veda Institute, a goal I've held for a long time. I firmly believe that a healthy body, mind and spirit are integral to our physical well-being.

Here are my key pieces of advice: Never push through pain when exercising. Cross-training is essential, and if you're new to an activity, seek guidance from a trainer to ensure proper form. Prevention is paramount. Taking care of your entire being, encompassing mind, body, and spirit, is what it’s all about! Finding ways to de-stress and nurture your mental health is just as, if not more, important than nutrition and exercise.

My passions include my family, our four dogs, exploring the great outdoors, anything involving water, gardening, helping others, Ayurveda, and the joy of movement!