I started doing gymnastics when I was 4 years old and ended up competing in college. I retired at age 21 and felt very lost. I continued to run and lift, but something felt like it was missing. That was until I discovered callisthenics. I started including callisthenics in my training and felt the passion come back for movement. I then slowly added other new disciplines like hand balancing and ninja warrior training to further explore movement in ways that inspired me to move. The biggest challenge I had to face during this journey was an eating disorder that ended up lasting over 5 years.
Age:
29
City/Country:
Atlanta, GA USA
Occupation:
Physical therapist and online trainer.
Share your unique training/coaching methods
I combine several different training styles in a unique way to allow my clients to progress toward different skills, build strength, improve their mobility, and improve the quality of movement. I use my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and exercise science to create unique workout programs based on how a client is currently moving and build from there based on their goals, injury history, and many other factors.
I have the ability to work with someone who just completed their physical therapy after an injury and needs additional guidance to return back to working out and I have the ability to assist my clients to reach their advanced skill goals.
Training Plan:
I have various training programs available that can be split up into 3 categories:
- Skill programs – helps achieve a new skill (e.g. pull up, muscle up, handstand, pistol squat, etc.)
- Prehab/health programs – focus on improving mobility and balance around a specific joint (e.g.: shoulder, hip, knee, foot/ankle, etc.). My anti-sitting mobility program is also in this category and is a full-body mobility program designed to focus on areas that are commonly tight with prolonged sitting.
- Lift Like Laura programs – these are more advanced full-body programs based on the workouts I do myself.
- I also offer individualized workout programs for those who want a little more guidance, can’t find what they’re looking for in my other programs, or need something a bit more unique to them and their situation.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all-natural (no sugar, no artificial colours/flavours/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavours and sweeteners? And Why?
I recommend a diet that works for the client, their values, and their lifestyle/budget. If they want specific nutritional advice, I refer them to someone as my area of expertise is in exercise.
Please describe the importance of mental health
Mental health is extremely important as a part of overall health and can make or break all other aspects of health.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor-in-Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What part of your job are you the most passionate about and why?
Status Fitness Magazine runs model searches across North America including the largest one at the Arnold Classic for the Status cover. As part of the Status family, you will receive a special participation invite. How excited are you for this opportunity?
Honoured to have the opportunity!
What does the future hold?
That’s a great question and I have learned that you never really know. The only thing you can do is keep working hard toward your goals and you never know what opportunities may come up along the way.
I truly love working with clients, so I will continue to do that and continue to optimize my current programs as well as create new programs.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
In many aspects of life, consistency, working hard, and continuously looking for ways to grow and improve will get you very far. But striving for perfection in the traditional sense isn’t necessarily what to shoot for. It’s about embracing and acknowledging your flaws, always trying your best at any given moment in time, and continuously improving – that is why I named my brand and business Paradigm of Perfection – because no one is perfect, and that in itself is perfect.
What does success look like for you?
I have phases of work-life balance so I can enjoy life while still helping others do the same. In an ideal world, I’d love to inspire more individuals to focus on the prevention of injury through exercise vs. waiting until an injury happens to address it. So being successful would be having the platform to impact others and allow them to improve their own quality of life through exercise.
Connect with Laura: IG | YouTube Channel
