Why Hire Me as your coach? 

Because I get it. 

I was not a youth or teen athlete. I was a cheerleader for much of my early teen years, and then tried, unsuccessfully, to make the cheerleading squad in High School. Soccer and swimming were the only girls sports available at my high school, and I had no experience with either. There might’ve been cross country but I did NOT enjoy running. Never have. I opted to manage the swim team; that was more my “speed.” I did not identify with any athleticism at all.

In college I took fencing and karate, and tried to like running. Try being the optimal word. In the early 90’s I discovered Reebok Step Aerobics and THIS I was good at! As a flight attendant - I started trying to lift weights and walk on layovers (great way to explore cities). Fast forward to my 30’s, after kids, … I began working out consistently at the Y. I hired a trainer there and started taking classes. I went on to become a Les Mills Certified Body Pump & CX Worx Instructor and spin instructor and was HOOKED on group ex classes!

For four years, from 2008 ~ 2011, I wore multiple career hats and attempted to do it all. During the week I stayed home with our children (then 8 & 10). I was President of our local MOMS Club Chapter, on the board of the PTA, and I taught multiple fitness classes at the YMCA during the week. On the weekends I traveled for my career as a Flight Attendant. After spending 21 years in the airline industry & parenting, my circadian rhythm was nonexistent. I would often go to bed at 2am on a Saturday morning, get up at 3 am the next morning, crossing time zones like a boss. I was barely sleeping, working out 5-6 days a week, often teaching multiple classes each day. To me MORE meant BETTER. Never mind that I was exhausted, irritable, and using wine as a coping mechanism. In 2011, while training for my first triathlon (on top of all of those hats!), I herniated L4-L5, and was struggling with debiliating pain and the frustration of not being able to teach the classes I loved. I was sliding down to my rock bottom.

The year 2012 was a turning point in my life.

I was exhausted, overweight, stressed out, and still coping with rehabilitation and occasional pain. I knew how to cook, but I hated it. I knew how to exercise - and lord I did plenty of that (hello overtraining), but yet I had no control over how my body felt or performed. That overtraining, lack of a solid nutritional foundation, poor sleep hygiene and constant stress (coupled with nonexistent self care) set me up for the perfect storm.

I was unhappy in my own body. I had been mistaken for being in the early stages of pregnancy several times when I was NOT pregnant. My blood sugar was inching higher after gestational diabetes and I was officially pre-diabetic with a fasting blood sugar of 119. I was in physical therapy for my L4-L5 disc, my BMI had crept up despite my working out 5-6 days a week, and I had no tools for managing the stress. The years of burning the candle at both ends finally caught up with me.

I found myself facing my own personal health crisis physically and mentally. In the summer of 2012 I experienced several heartbreaking losses. My father died while I was visiting my childhood friend who was fighting breast cancer. Eight weeks later she lost her battle; as a Mom of 5 she was one of my mom-mentors. I began having panic attacks while at work. No one, and I repeat NO ONE - wants to see their Flight Attendant having a panic attack. I sought out a therapist to help me examine leaving the airline. My job had been my happy place for 2 decades, and suddenly it was the place I began to fear. And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. Right after the funeral of my childhood friend my husband & I faced a breaking point in our marriage; we went into therapy to assess whether or not we were going to work to save our marriage. Rock bottom.

With months of intensive therapy (both individual and couples therapy) I began to put some pieces of my life back together. In 2013 I walked away from my 21 year Flight Attendant Career and decided to blend my two passions, customer service & fitness, into my own business as a Personal Trainer & Health Coach. I began attending courses and certifications and mentoring alongside more experienced trainers. I hired a health coach and committed to a year long habit based nutrition & wellness program. I lost over 15 pounds, gained muscle, improved my sleep and nutrition habits, and most importantly - changed the mental script in my own head.

NOTE: THERAPY HAS CONTINUED TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN MY MENTAL WELL-BEING. HAVING SOMEONE WHO HAS NO VESTED INTEREST IN YOUR DECISIONS, AND IS THERE TO GUIDE AND SUPPORT YOU, IS SIMPLY ONE OF THE BEST GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF.

Regardless of your family history and risk factors - you CAN change your family tree. You can be the change that reverses the path in your own family. Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same. And if you are ready and willing to lean in and really work on your daily mindset, systems, structures - together we can help you carve out a lifestyle that supports your wellness goals. I cannot do the work for you. I can’t want it more for you than you want it for yourself. If you are ready - I’ll be alongside you with the map, but you’ve got the keys. Message me if you’d like to set up a call to see if we’ll be a good fit to work together.

Ginger